M. Robert Cooper Leadership and Service Award

Dave Woodmansee, right, presented Bill Berry the 2015 M. Robert Cooper Leadership and Service Award at the N.C. Tree Farm Program's 2015 Annual Meeting. Bill's wife, Sandy Berry, is on the left.

Bill Berry was named the first recipient of the M. Robert Cooper Leadership and Service Award on Oct. 17 at the N.C. Tree Farm Program’s Annual Meeting in Cleveland. The Cooper award, established in 2015, is presented in memory of Dr. M. Robert Cooper, who served as the first chair of the N.C. Tree Farm Program, which was reactivated in 2001.

Bill has served on the N.C. Tree Farm Program’s board of directors for more than a decade in a variety of capacities, including as chair of the state committee (now board of directors) and chair of the finance committee. One of his most important achievements was authoring the document that qualified the state program for 501(c)3 tax exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service. This was an important step toward financial stability because it qualifies the program for a broader range of grants and tax-deductible contributions.

Bill’s leadership over the past decade was critical to the program’s survival is its early years and laid the foundation for continued growth and financial stability. The N.C. Tree Farm Program is pleased to recognize Bill for his outstanding leadership and service.