Leadership & Staff

The Center for Family Forests Operating Committee (NOC) governs ATFS. The committee is comprised of National and Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year and representatives from forestry associations, state foresters, forest industry, co-sponsoring associations, and state committee volunteers.

Committee members, elected to three year terms, help determine the strategic direction and initiatives of ATFS.

2008 Center for Family Forests Operating Committee

Bruce Alt
Co-Sponsor Representative
Mississippi Forestry Association

Clint Bentz
Chair & Editorial Board Member


Joseph & Patricia Benzing
Northeastern Tree Farmer Representatives
& Editorial Board Members

John W. Burke III
Southern Tree Farmer Representative
& Editorial Board Member

Glenn & Evelyn Charlson
North Central Tree Farmer Representatives
& Editorial Board Members

Rick Fletcher
Extension Representative


Tom & Sherry Fox
2005 National Outstanding Tree Farmers
& Editorial Board Members

Jerry Grossman
Consulting Forester Representative
Grossman Forestry

Gary Johnson
Western Tree Farmer Representative
& Editorial Board Member

Kevin King
Co-Sponsor Representative
Emipre State Forest Products Assn.

Bob & Margaret Kintigh
2006 National Outstanding Tree Farmers
& Editorial Board Members

Joe Lawson
Industry Representative
MeadWestvaco

Rich Lewis
Logger Representative
Forest Resources Association

Phillip Livingston
ATFS Leadership Representative
Kingwood Forestry Services

Steve Loveland
Industry Representative
Georgia-Pacific

Steve McWilliams
Co-Sponsor Representative
Georgia Forestry Association

Gordy Mouw
Alternate Industry Representative
Stora Enso

Mary Perala
ATFS Leadership Representative


Jo & Kathy Pierce
2007 National Outstanding Tree Farmers
& Editorial Board Members

John Seifert
State Forester Representative
Indiana DNR

Center for Family Forests Staff

Owen Burney, Operations Manager, ATFS

Brigitte Johnson, APR,Executive Editor, Tree Farmer Magazine

Alexandra Richman, Program Coordinator

Liz Sandler, Director, ATFS

Bob Simpson, Senior Vice President AFF, Forestry

Amy Yambor, Operations Manager, ATFS