F&W FORESTRY - Key Persons
T. R. Clark serves as Regional Manager of the LaFayette, Alabama office. T.R. is a registered forester in Georgia and Alabama. He is also certified as an American Tree Farm System Qualified Inspector and an Alabama Certified Prescribed Burn Manager. Additionally, he holds real estate licenses as an Alabama Qualifying Broker and a Georgia Real Estate Salesperson. Before joining F&W in 2003, T.R. earned a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from North Carolina State University in 2000. T.R. is highly active in several forestry organizations. He is currently serving as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Association of Consulting Foresters Alabama Chapter, National Executive Committee member of the Association of Consulting Foresters and a member of the Georgia Forestry Association. He has served as a Board Member of the Alabama Forestry Association.
Andy Carlo is the Environmental and Certification Manager. He joined F&W in 2017 as a project forester. He ensures F&W's compliance with environmental regulations and promotes sustainable forestry practices. Andy holds Forester licenses in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, showcasing his expertise in regional forestry regulations. Andy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Brown University and a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of Vermont.
Job Titles:
- Operations Manager
- U.S. Forest Operations Manager
Brent Williamson is an experienced forest operations manager, currently serving as the U.S. Forest Operations Manager. He joined F&W in 2010 and oversees the company's extensive forest operations group, which has offices throughout the United States. With over 20 years of forest operations experience, he has worked with a diverse range of clients, assisting them in achieving their management objectives. Brent holds affiliations with several prominent organizations in the forestry field. He is a registered forester in Arkansas and Mississippi and is a member of the Arkansas Forestry Association, Louisiana Forestry Association, Society of American Foresters, American Tree Farm Inspector, and Association of Consulting Foresters. Brent holds a B.S. in Wildlife Management from the School of Forest Resources at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Additionally, he earned his M.A. from Southwestern Baptist.
Bryan Croft serves as Regional Manager of the Orange Park, Florida office. Bryan has worked with F&W since 2006. He is a registered forester in Georgia and a Society of American Foresters Certified Forester. He also earned a Remote Pilot Certification. Bryan serves on the Florida Forestry Association Board of Directors as well as on the environmental committee. He also serves on the forestry program advisory committee for the University of Florida School of Forest, Fisheries, Geomatic Sciences. Bryan is an active member of the Society of American Foresters, the Florida Forestry Association, and Xi Sigma Pi, the National Forestry Honor Society. Bryan earned his Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources and Conservation from the University of Florida. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from Jacksonville University.
Job Titles:
- Regional Manager of the Albany
Chad Hancock serves as the Regional Manager of the Albany, Georgia office. Chad joined F&W as a Field Forester in 1995. With expertise as a Georgia Registered Forester and Certified General Real Property Appraiser, he brings extensive knowledge to his role. Chad is also a licensed Georgia Real Estate Salesperson, Certified Prescribed Burner, and American Tree Farm System Qualified Inspector. He is an active member of the Association of Consulting Foresters, Society of American Foresters, Georgia Forestry Association, and Forest Landowners Association. Chad is also a member of the Albany Rotary Club. He earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Forest Technology from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Valdosta State University.
Doug Hall serves as a Regional Manager. Doug joined F&W in 1984. He is a Georgia Registered Forester, Certified Prescribed Burner, and Real Estate Salesperson. Doug actively participates in the forestry community as a member of the Georgia Forestry Association. Doug earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Forest Technology from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
Job Titles:
- Regional Manager of the El Dorado
Eric Sumner is the Regional Manager of the El Dorado, Arkansas office. He holds an Arkansas Registered Forester certification and is a certified Remote Pilot for forestry-related applications. He is also a member of the Society of American Foresters. Eric earned an Associate of Science from Southwestern Illinois College and a Bachelor of Science in Resource Management from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
Dwight Sheppard is the Forest Mapping Manager. He joined F&W in 2006 and initially served as a Mapping Group Supervisor. In 2011, he became the Forest Mapping Manager. Dwight is a Certified Geographic Information Systems Professional and earned a Remote Pilot Certification. He is an active member of professional associations, including the Georgia Forestry Association, American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, IGARSS, American Society of Agriculture Engineers, Soil Science Society of America, and Professional Loggers Managers Association. Dwight earned a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from Fort Valley State and a Master of Science in Plant and Soil Science from Alabama A&M University.
Job Titles:
- Group Manager
- Forest Planning Group Manager
Job Titles:
- Regional Manager of the Charlottesville
Glen Worrell is the Regional Manager of the Charlottesville, Virginia, office. He is a Certified Tree Farm Inspector. Glen is a member of the Association of Consulting Foresters and a Society of American Foresters Certified Forester. He is also a Certified Prescribed Burn Manager in South Carolina and Virginia. Glen is active with the Virginia Forestry Association. He holds licenses as a Forester in Maryland, a Registered Forester in North Carolina and West Virginia, and a Virginia Real Estate Broker. Glen earned a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and a Master of Science in Forest Resource Economics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
James Vargovich Jr. is the Enterprise GIS Manager. He is a Certified Geographic Information Systems Professional. James is active with the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association-Georgia Chapter, Xi Sigma Pi National Forestry Honor Society, and the Society for Conservation GIS. James earned an Associate of Applied Science, a Drafting and Design Technology diploma from Albany Technical College, a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems from Albany State University, and a Master in Geospatial Information Science and Technology from North Carolina State University.
James Walters is the Forest Inventory Manager. He joined F&W in 2001 as a field forester and previously served as a regional manager of over 250,000 acres in Appalachia. He is a Registered Forester in West Virginia. James is an active member of the West Virginia Forestry Association, Virginia Forestry Association, and Society of American Foresters. James earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Forestry from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Job Titles:
- Regional Manager of the Corinth
Jason Potts is the Regional Manager of the Corinth, Mississippi office and manages properties in four states including Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky. He joined F&W in 2008 as a Field Supervisor. He holds a Tennessee Master Logger certification. He is an active member of the Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee Forestry Associations, as well as several local county forestry associations. He is also a member of the local business alliance in Corinth, Mississippi. Jason earned an Associate of Science in Technical Teacher Education in 1992 and an Associate of Science in Forestry in 1993 from Northeast Mississippi Community College.
Jeff Jordan is the Chief Operating overseeing the company's business operations and human resources. His expertise extends to forest operations, encompassing the Forest Planning Group, Inventory Group, Mapping Group, and corporate and client I.T. Jeff acts as the corporate representative, efficiently serving large clients across multiple offices and service areas. His leadership has played a significant role in F&W's growth. Jeff is a Georgia Registered Forester and a member of the Xi Sigma Pi Forestry Honor Society and the Society of American Foresters. Additionally, he serves as a member of the Georgia Forestry Association Board of Directors and was part of the University of Georgia's Advancing Georgia's Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry program, Class of 2015-2017. Jeff earned his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Georgia in Forest Resources and Forest Biometrics.
Job Titles:
- Chief Business Officer and Qualifying Broker
Jody Strickland is highly experienced in the forestry industry, currently serving as the Chief Business Officer. With over 30 years of experience, she has excelled in business development and client services. Strickland's expertise encompasses extensive transaction services with the Fountains Land Real Estate Business Unit and managing forest operations in Fountains Forestry U.K., F&W Uruguay, and F&W Brazil. She has held leadership positions at renowned companies such as Weyerhaeuser and Proctor & Gamble. Jody is a licensed broker in multiple states and actively participates in various associations, including the Society of American Foresters, Forest Landowners Association, Forest Resource Association, Georgia Forestry Association, National Association of Realtors, and Realtors Land Institute. Jody also serves on the board of directors for the Georgia F.F.A. Foundation, U.G.A. Warnell School of Forest Resources Center for Forest Business Advisory Council, and the Advancing Georgia's Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry Board of Directors. Jody holds a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Georgia and earned her M.S. in Agricultural Engineering at the University of Florida.
John Vona is the West Regional Manager, bringing 25 years of timberland management experience across the Pacific Northwest and the U.S. South. He oversees a vast 455,000-acre timberland portfolio and leads a team of 28 employees. He is a Registered Professional Forester in California. John earned a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management from Rutgers University, a Master of Science in Forest Management, and an MBA from the University of Georgia.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Team
- President
Marshall D. Thomas is a highly accomplished professional in the forestry industry. He began his career at F&W in 1978 as a field and technical forester, rising through the ranks to become the esteemed President of the company. With a solid educational background and extensive experience, he has contributed significantly to the industry and is an influential leader. Having joined F&W more than four decades ago, Marshall has been pivotal in steering the company's growth and success. Under his leadership, F&W has experienced rapid expansion and service-area diversification. Today, the company boasts a strong presence with multiple offices across the United States, Uruguay, Brazil, and Europe. As an active and engaged member of various forestry associations, Marshall has demonstrated his commitment to promoting the welfare of the industry. Additionally, he serves on the Center for Forest Business Advisory Committee at the University of Georgia, where he provides valuable insights and guidance to support the growth and innovation of the industry. In 2022, Marshall was awarded the Wise Owl Award from the Georgia Forestry Association for his dedication to strengthening the Georgia forestry industry for landowners and businesses. He previously served as the President of the Albany Boys and Girls Club, demonstrating his commitment to the community. Marshall holds a B.S. in Forestry from the University of Florida and an M.B.A. from Georgia Southern University.
Job Titles:
- Regional Manager of the Fountain Inn
Nathan McClure is the Regional Manager of the Fountain Inn, South Carolina office. He is a Registered Forester in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, as well as a Society of American Foresters Certified Forester.
Nathan is a licensed South Carolina Real Estate Salesperson, Georgia Prescribed Burner, and holds a Remote Pilot Certification. Nathan is active with the Association of Consulting Foresters, Forestry Association of South Carolina, and Rotary Club. Nathan earned a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources from the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Team
Job Titles:
- Regional Manager of the Clinton
Rick Sluss is the Regional Manager of the Clinton, Tennessee office. Rick is a Georgia Registered Forester and a Tennessee Real Estate Salesperson. He actively engages with the Association of Consulting Foresters of America. Rick earned a Master of Science in Industrial Forestry Operations from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Job Titles:
- Forest Planning Group Manager
Scott Howell is the Forest Planning Manager. He joined F&W in 2005 as a Field Supervisor and is a Registered Forester in Georgia. He is a member of the Society of American Foresters, Association of Consulting Foresters of America, Inc., and Georgia Forestry Association. Scott earned an Associate of Science in Forest Resources from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and a Bachelor of Science and a Master in Forest Resources from the University of Georgia.
Sonya Farmer joined F&W in 1991 and is currently the Chief Financial Officer. In her role, she is responsible for overseeing the work of the Financial Reporting group and ensuring accurate and timely financial information is provided to internal and external stakeholders. She contributes to the programming and implementation of custom software for clients and played a crucial role in developing F&W's proprietary Forestland Information System. Sonya holds a B.B.A. in Finance & Economics and an M.B.A. from Valdosta State University.
Currently serving as the Chief Information Officer, Stephen Logan plays a crucial role in the company's digital strategy and oversees the advancement and integration of its applications, data, infrastructure, and cybersecurity. With over 20 years of experience in the quantitative and technical aspects of the forest consulting business, Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role. He ensures that F&W remains at the forefront of client offerings by staying on top of the latest technological developments and applying them to enhance F&W's services. Beyond his work at F&W, Stephen actively participates in various affiliations and associations related to forestry and consulting. These include the Georgia Forestry Association, the Association of Consulting Foresters, the Society of American Foresters, the American Forest Foundation, and the Plantation Research Cooperative. He also serves on the Academic Advisory Board at Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College. Stephen holds a B.S. in Forest Resources and an M.S. in Forest Biometrics from the University of Georgia.
Susanne Wagner serves as the Chief People Officer and is responsible for developing and executing a progressive human resources strategy in alignment with F&W's mission, vision, and core values. With over 25 years of human resources experience, Wagner develops and manages people programs designed to support operational excellence. She oversees recruiting, career development, succession planning, learning and development, and employee engagement. Wagner is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management. With her extensive experience and expertise in Human Resources, she is committed to creating a work environment that fosters growth, collaboration, and innovation while putting the needs and aspirations of the employees first. Wagner holds a B.S. in Communications from the University of Tennessee.
Job Titles:
- Regional Manager of the Tupper Lake
Tom Gilman serves as the Regional Manager of the Tupper Lake, New York and Montpelier, Vermont offices. Tom is a Society of American Foresters Certified Forester and a licensed Vermont Forester. He is actively involved in the forestry community as a member of the Society of American Foresters and the NYSAF Policy Committee.
He holds a New York State Real Estate Salesperson license. He also serves on the SUNY ESF Ranger School-Technical Advisory Board. Tom earned a Bachelor of Science in Resource Management and Environmental and Forest Biology from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Job Titles:
- U.S. Forest Operations Manager
Job Titles:
- Regional Manager of the Statesboro
Wade E. McDonald is the Regional Manager of the Statesboro, Georgia office. He joined F&W in 1983, progressing from Assistant Forester to Branch Manager. Wade is a Registered Forester in Georgia and South Carolina, holding various certifications such as Georgia Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator, Georgia Prescribed Burn Certificate, and South Carolina Prescribed Fire Manager. He is also a licensed Real Estate Salesperson and a registered appraiser in Georgia. Wade is active with the Georgia Forestry Association, South Carolina Forestry Association, and Society of American Foresters. Wade earned an Associate of Science in Forestry Technology from Savannah Technical Institute.