2023 IMPACT REPORT
FROM THE CEO
Chris Isaacson President & CEO
“ ...engaged members are the key to accomplishing our mission... everything you see in the following pages was made possible by AFA members who gave of themselves to support our efforts.”
What began in 1949 with a small group of individuals meeting at a hotel in Montgomery to form the Alabama Forest Products Association has evolved into one of the largest forestry associations in the nation with fourteen related organizations having a regional and national impact.
2023 was another year of growth in size and impact for AFA and our related organizations. This growth has been driven by visionary Board leadership and enabled by engaged members and generous supporters.
VISIONARY LEADERSHIP
While trade organizations often define their role as advocating for members, AFA’s leadership has always taken the broad view. From the immediate adoption of the Alabama Tree Farm program, providing support to landowners, to implementing a robust forest education program for students and teachers, our charter members recognized their responsibility to engage in the communities where they lived. Today, our mandate is to identify those issues creating challenges for our members and determine ways to mitigate those challenges. From lack of workers’ compensation and health insurance coverage to companies’ difficulties recruiting workers, programs developed to address these challenges have led to the formation of many of the affiliated organizations we support today.
ENGAGED MEMBERS
As CEO, I am truly blessed to be surrounded by an outstanding group of men and women on our staff who are energetic, enthusiastic, and incredibly talented. As important as they are, however, the key to impacting our elected officials and
our communities rests with engaged members who are willing to give their time and resources to pursue the vision of our association. Capable staff can be good facilitators, but engaged members are the key to accomplishing our mission. From Board members who help develop the vision and provide accountability to numerous volunteers who serve as PLT Facilitators, conduct landowner field tours, or flip hamburgers at Back-the-Blue events, everything you see in the following pages was made possible by AFA members who gave of themselves to support our efforts.
GENEROUS SUPPORTERS
Throughout this report you will see metrics associated with sponsors, advertisers, and contributions. While membership dues provide partial support for staff and administration, all events, meetings, and activities require additional funding. Our ability to engage public officials, support political candidates, educate teachers and students, and conduct communications campaigns is dependent on the generous support of hundreds of companies and individuals who share our goal of promoting forestry and growing the forest industry in Alabama. If you are one of those sponsors, advertisers, or contributors, please accept our deep gratitude for your investment in us. We are humbled by your support and acknowledge that YOU are integral to everything we accomplish.
I hope you enjoy reading through the following pages and seeing how much we accomplished together.
Organizational Overview
Alabama Forestry Association serves as the administrative partner for related organizations, each having different goals, but unified by a shared vision of growing Alabama’s forests and forest industry.
ForestPAC
Developing financial resources necessary to recruit, support, and elect conservative, pro-business leaders at local and state levels since 1995.
Alabama Forestry Association (AFA)
Monitoring and influencing local, state, and federal government policy and actions impacting Alabama’s forest community since 1949.
FedPAC
Developing financial resources to support and elect Alabama candidates to federal office since 2008.
Alabama SFI-SIC
Promoting sustainable forestry in Alabama and serving as the State Implementation Committee for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative since 2002.
Alabama Forestry Foundation (AFF)
Providing forestry education, protecting property rights, promoting forest resource conservation, and growing forest products markets since 1978.
Alabama Tree Farm Committee
Managing the Nation’s first and largest Tree Farm program, working with family forest owners to provide education, and supporting wise stewardship of Alabama’s forest resources since 1941.
Alabama Landowner Resource Center
Providing education and information to Alabama’s forest landowners to help them evaluate their property, develop a plan, find needed assistance, and take steps necessary to accomplish their goals.
Alabama Loggers Council (ALC)
Representing and promoting Alabama’s logging community and addressing wood supply chain challenges since 1992.
Forestry Works
Multi-state non-profit foundation focused on workforce development for the forest industry since 2017; promotes forestry careers through ForestryWorks® and provides training for workers to enter the forest workforce.
Affiliated Organizations
ForestFund
Providing workers compensation coverage to forestry and forest-related employers through the Alabama Forest Products Industry Workmen’s Compensation SelfInsurers Fund since 1970.
Southern Resources Alliance (SRA)
Multi-state, cross-industry organization promoting and facilitating environmental regulatory reform since 2015.
Alabama Forestry Association Health & Welfare Plan Trust
Providing access to affordable health, dental, and vision insurance to forest industry employers since 2019.
Alabama Forests
Forever Foundation
Providing financial support to increase awareness of forestry benefits through education and outreach programs since 1999.
Alabama Forestry Council
Providing a forum for networking and information sharing for leaders in Alabama’s forest community since 1941.
Alabama Log-A-Load for Kids Foundation
Fundraising for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in Alabama since 2007.
Government Affairs
Responsible Staff: Tom Saunders, AFA General Counsel / Director of Governmental Affairs
FOCUS
Protect and improve the business, regulatory and legal environment for landowners and forest business owners to ensure profitable and sustainable operations.
OUR STRATEGY
The Alabama Forestry Association, along with the Alabama Forestry Foundation, works with state and national partners on issues that impact forestland ownership and management by conducting the following activities:
• Conduct research and develop forest policy that promotes healthy forests and robust markets.
• Providing forest policy education for legal professionals and elected leaders.
• Monitor judicial and regulatory activity to identify opportunities that strengthen private property rights.
• Take legal action when needed to defend private property rights.
2023 Legislator of the Year SENATOR WILL BARFOOT
“With the forest products industry being one of the largest economic drivers in our state, I know the importance of my job serving in the legislature is to prevent government overreach and continue to make sure businesses big and small can thrive in Alabama. My job is to support industry and growth of our state.
I look forward to doing that with the support of the Alabama Forestry Association and its members for years to come,” says Will Barfoot, who was presented with the 2023 AFA Legislator of the Year at the 2023 AFA Annual Meeting in Orange Beach.
Political Affairs
Responsible Staff: Tom Saunders, AFA General Counsel / Director of Governmental Affairs
FOCUS
Elect and support conservative, pro-business leaders who understand the environmental and economic impact of forestry and the forest products industry to the lives and well-being of Alabama’s citizens.
RESULTS
2023 ForestPAC Contributions
$455,576 ForestPAC Selwood Sporting Clays
Chairman’s Club Members
28
$32,750
Pinecone Open
$32,500
Successfully supported Travis Hendrix in the special election for Alabama House District 55 (Birmingham area)
Introduced and passed legislation to create the “Rural Logging Efficiency Act of 2023” that created within the State’s Treasury, the “Logging Efficiency Grant Fund” that will be administered by the Alabama Forestry Commission and utilized to fund the repair or replacement of rural bridges that would normally not qualify for state fuel tax support. The Fund will also provide grants to logging companies to install efficiency related equipment and provide funding for logging workforce training.
Supported and obtained funding for the Alabama Forestry Commission to acquire new firefighting equipment and to support forest workforce development. Also assisted the AFC with legislation allowing them to conduct their own sales of used equipment.
Supported lowering taxes, including reducing the state sales tax on food and a one-time income tax rebate.
Responsible Staff: Anna Morgan Duke, AFA
To provide opportunities to build relationships between AFA members and Public Officials in order to promote knowledge of the forest industry. FOCUS
86
2,634
1,400
400
“AFA’s Public Policy Seminar is one of the best seminars I have ever attended. The entire team at Forestry is to be commended for all of the hard work that went into making the seminar a success.” - Honorable Tommy Bryan
Responsible Staff: Anna Morgan Duke, AFA – Grassroots Coordinator
Stephanie Fuller, FWTI – Director of Promotions & Economic Development
EVENT SUMMARY
Alabama Woods to Goods Week was a week-long promotional event to celebrate forestry’s professionals, products and industry. Celebrations included mill tours, log site visits, school forest product donations and other educational events to highlight the industry’s environmental, community and economic impact.
16 PUBLIC OFFICIALS ENGAGED
27
65
INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS ENGAGED
89 OTHER ATTENDEES
201
STUDENTS ENGAGED
“Thank you again for the invitation to the AFA “Women in the Woods” event. This event provides education, engagement and much needed fellowship in the most stunning location-- a beautiful Alabama forest!
Spending the day at Little River State Forest, surrounded by nature, learning about the work our amazing foresters perform on a daily basis gives me a greater appreciation and love of the Forestry industry. I left our “Learn and Burn,” refreshed, renewed and informed. Words can’t express my gratitude for the opportunity to be part of this group!”
PLANNED EVENTS - Supreme Court Justice Kelli Wise alwoodstogoods.com
Industry/Market Promotion
FOCUS
Increase awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of forestry; improve markets for renewable, sustainable forest products.
SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT 2023
ALABAMA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION
ALABAMA FORESTRY FOUNDATION
ALABAMA LOGGERS COUNCIL
Networking Opportunities
Responsible Staff:
Liz Chambers, AFA – Senior Director of Administration
FOCUS
Build and maintain vibrant networks throughout the forestry community to support members and member operations. Provide timely information and updates on issues impacting forestry operations.
September 10-12
Perdido Beach Resort, Orange Beach
ANNUAL MEETING
For multiple generations, AFA members look forward to attending the AFA Annual Meeting as it provides the perfect venue to reconnect with colleagues while meeting new friends and building relationships to enhance their future endeavors. Our time together offers many opportunities to network through conference sessions, Beach Bash party and activities, Sunburn Classic golf tournament, outdoor ecological adventure, various receptions and much more.
503 Attendees
44 Sponsors
9 Platinum 6 Gold 17 Silver 12 Bronze
25 Exhibitors (max capacity)
18 Hours of Possible Continuing Education
REGIONAL RECEPTIONS
MUSCLE SHOALS
74 Attendees 7 Sponsors JASPER 82 Attendees 9 Sponsors
Information Opportunities
Responsible Staff: Liz Chambers, AFA
Senior Director of Administration
Jacquie Wilson, AFA - Director of Member Services & Advertising, Alabama Forests Editor
FOCUS
Provide timely, reliable and relevant information to AFA members and forestry stakeholders on issues impacting the forest industry.
Alabama Forests Magazine Circulation
17,350
Alabama Forests Magazine Themed Issues
Spring – Conservation
Summer – Workforce Development Fall – Education
Winter – Special Events
Feature Profiles
Public Service Profiles: Representative Danny Garrett; Senator David Sessions; Speaker
Nathaniel Ledbetter
Member Spotlights: Ameriprise Financial Services; Heart of Dixie Parts & Equipment; Barze Taylor Noles Lowther; Alabama AG Credit
Quarterly Features
Distributed
2,200
Impact Report Distributed
2,400
& Press
President’s Column / Dean’s Notebook / Green Horizons
9,342 Weekly Subscribers
Insurance
Responsible Staff: Joseph Ammons, Forest Fund Administrator
Liz Chambers, AFA - Senior Director of Administration
FOCUS
Identify and develop risk management solutions associated with landownership, forest management activities, and forest operations for AFA members.
AFA Hunting Club Liability -
Provide competitively-priced commercial general liability coverage to landowners and hunting clubs.
• Offer lowest rates available for clubs with 2,500 acres or less
• Membership optional
• 361 Policies
AFA Prescribed Burn Liability -
Provide commercial general liability coverage to private landowners who conduct prescribed burns on their personal property.
• $1,000,000 Liability coverage with premiums starting at $250
ForestFund -
Provide workers’ compensation coverage for employees of forestry and forest-related business operations.
• AFA membership required
• 403 Members
• $7.5 Million return of premiums to members
• 380 Members (92% of participants) receiving dividends
AFA Timberland Owner Liability -
Provide commercial general liability coverage to landowners for risks associated with owning and managing land.
• Competitive pricing
• 95 Policies
AFA Health and Welfare Plan -
Provide access to affordable health, dental and vision insurance for employees of forestry and forest-related business operations.
• 98 Companies participating
• 943 Total lives covered
• 10% Average savings vs. similar plans
• 50% Average return
• $135 Million dividends returned since 1990
In 2023, check totaling $6.5 million have been mailed to 373 ForestFund participants.
“Through the years, we have dealt with several insurance companies. Not one of them has ever refunded any of our premium payments. Having the opportunity to get money backis one of the many reasons we stay with ForestFund.”
– Winson Bryant - President Foothills Timber Company
JOSEPH AMMONS
KELLY DANIEL
MIKE MOORE
ALABAMA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION TEAM
CHRIS ISAACSON President
Grassroots Coordinator
Accounting Manager
Controller
ASHLEY SMITH Director of Education
LIZ CHAMBERS Senior Director of Administration
LEIGH PETERS Regional Forester South
BEN SMITH Executive Director; Alabama Loggers Council
SAUNDERS General Counsel / Director of Government Affairs
JACQUIE WILSON Director of Membership & Advertising, Alabama Forests Editor
TOM
ANNA MORGAN DUKE
ADAM EASLEY
DAVID CARLISLE
Forest Stewardship and Certification
Responsible Staff: Chris Erwin, AFF – Executive Vice President
Ashley Smith, AFA – SFI-SIC State Coordinator
FOCUS
Promote wise stewardship of Alabama’s natural resources and provide education opportunities to forest landowners to help them protect and improve their forests.
Tree Farm Inspections
4,316 Active Tree Farms
2,590 Farmers
2,273,377 Total Acreage
38 New Tree Farms
9 Decertifications
63 Inspections
SFI Certification
40 SFI companies participating in the SFI Alabama State Implementation Committee
2.9 million acres certified to SFI forest management certification
Tyler Sibley and Chris Erwin Awards
Staff Awards:
Doug Link Leadership Award
Tyler Sibley
USFWS Regional Director’s Honor Award
70 architect students on forest products tour
98.3% BMP compliance on harvested tracts as reported by Alabama Forestry Commission
Tree Farm Awards: Inspector of the Year
Billy Rye
2023 Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year
Calumet Plantation; Houston County, AL
Responsible Staff:
Chris Erwin, AFF – Executive Vice President
Ashley Smith, AFA – SFI-SIC State Coordinator
FOCUS
Educate students, teachers, and business professionals about environmental, economic and operational aspects of forest management and forest products manufacturing.
Project Learning Tree (PLT)
14 WORKSHOPS
367 ATTENDEES
Teacher Conservation Workshop (TCW) attendees
47
Forests Forever Foundation
Students Impacted Fawn Grants Total FAWN Grants Awarded 12
3,195 $6,000
2023 Alabama PLT Business Partner of the Year Manulife Forest Management
Sponsorship of Alabama County Forestry Planning Committee Events
23 EVENTS
683 PARTICIPANTS
2023 Alabama PLT Educator of the Year Dr. Roosevelt Robinson, Alabama Cooperative Extension System
“Since 1970, the Alabama Forestry Foundation has helped thousands grow in their knowledge and appreciation for Alabama’s well-managed forests and their role in protecting Alabama’s environment, economy, and way of life. Forest businesses are important in Alabama, and many livelihoods depend on forestry.”
- Staff Reporter, Dothan Eagle
“We are very versed in our knowledge of structural fires but not as much on forest fires. Learning how to safely control fires in a rural setting and being able to use fire as a tool to positively impact a forest area was instructive. The information and hands-on experience we received was invaluable.”
– Anthony Gilmore, Training Chief, Auburn Fire Department
Conservation
CHRIS ISAACSON President
ALABAMA FORESTRY FOUNDATION TEAM
WHIT CARROLL Wildlife Biologist
CHRIS ERWIN Executive Vice President
COLE BROWNING Regional Forester
Responsible Staff:
Chris Erwin, AFF - Executive Vice President
Cole Browning, AFF – Regional Forester
Whit Carroll, AFF – Regional Wildlife Biologist
Brad Nail, AFF – Regional Forester
Leigh Peters, AFF – Regional Forester
FOCUS
Michael Poteracki, AFF – Conservation Forester
Tyler Sibley, AFF – Fish and Wildlife Biologist
Ashley Smith, AFF – Director of Education
Autumn Watrous, AFF – Wildlife Biologist
Promote and conserve the rich diversity of natural resources from Alabama’s healthy, abundant forests.
Landowner Engagement
Landowner Visits
Landowner Site Visit Acres
Acres Planted
Acres Burned
Acres Improved Tree Farm Acres
AUTUMN WATROUS Wildlife Biologist
TYLER SIBLEY Fish & Wildlife Biologist
BRAD NAIL Regional Forester North
MICHAEL POTERACKI Conservation Forester
ASHLEY SMITH Director of Education
LEIGH PETERS Regional Forester South
alabamaforestryfoundation.org
Responsible Staff: Ben Smith, ALC – Executive Director
FOCUS
Support all segments of the wood supply chain and work to remove barriers to the safe and efficient flow of wood from stump to mill.
Alabama Loggers Council Events
Supply Chain
Professional Logging Manager Events
FUN FACT: Alabama has 1,695 current PLM cardholders which equates to over 8,475 hours of continuing education classes taken in 2023.
“Thank you for inviting us to take part in the Alabama Loggers Council Annual Meeting. There is a reason your organization thrives and it shows.”
– David Schafer, District Sales Manager Warrior Tractor and Equipment Co.
Workforce Development
“Looks like Alabama is No. 1 in workforce development in the South Central US according to Site Selection Magazine. ForestryWorks® definitely played a key role in this impressive ranking! Thanks for what you guys do for our industry!!”
-Gary Faulkner, Forest Economic Development Specialist Alabama Forestry Commission
FORESTRYWORKS TEAM
of Promotions and
CHRIS ISAACSON President
STEPHANIE FULLER Director
Economic Development
JORDAN LITTRELL Workforce Development Coordinator
MAGGIE POPE Director of Education and Industry Relations
Responsible Staff:
Stephanie Fuller, FWTI – Director of Promotions & Economic Development
Jordan Littrell, FWTI – Workforce Development Coordinator
Maggie Pope, FWTI – Director of Education & Industry Relations
FOCUS
ForestryWorks® mission is to create a pipeline of qualified workers to help sustain and grow the forest and forest products manufacturing industry for generations to come through a long- and short-term approaches of education, career promotion, and training.
FOREST WORKER *CRI
27 Educators Certified To Teach Forestry Worker *CRI
228 Cumulative Certified Educators
1,606 Students Certified In High School *CRI Program
5,122 Cumulative Certified Students * Career Readiness Indicator
ForestryWorks® promotional efforts in 2023 were focused on building a sustainable branding campaign and platform for the life of the program. During 2023, ForestryWorks® has developed a new logo and branding assets and a new website in order to better serve students, educators and industry members.
ForestryWorks® named as Bronze Winner for Outstanding Work in Integrated Marketing Campaign – Jobs Recruitment.
-20th Annual Service Industry Advertising Awards
In 2023, ForestryWorks® focused on developing Spanish translations of resources in order to be able to offer ESL (English as second language) students the ability to utlizie resources in their first language. ForestryWorks® resources currently available in Spanish are: Lucy Meets a Logger and the Forest Worker Certificate program. These efforts will continue in 2024.
31
CAREER FAIRS
27,314
CAREER FAIRS TOTAL ATTANDANCE
Published “Lucy Conoce a un Talador” to expand Tiny Timber Crew Series and provide resources for spanish speaking students.
SPANISH TRANSLATION FOREST WORKER CERTIFICATE (PILOT) 3 Teachers Offering Courses 28 Students Piloting the Program
FOREST FIELD DAYS
216 6
FOREST FIELD DAYS TOTAL ATTENDANCE
37 27,530 TOTAL EVENTS TOTAL STUDENTS
FWTI State Affiliates: Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, Minnesota, Kentucky, South Carolina
Referred 41 drivers through log truck driver recruitment campaign
215 People trained through Continuing Education Safety Training
OFFICERS
AFA CHAIRMAN
Guice Slawson, Jr. Southeast Wood Treating LTD
AFA VICE CHAIRMAN
Jon-Micheal Clark WestRock
AFA TREASURER
Gray Skipper Scotch Plywood Co.
AFA IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN
Will Conrad Threshold Timber Corp.
FORESTPAC CHAIRMAN
Phillip Smith Rayonier
FORESTRY LEADERS REP
Ray Colvin Westervelt
AFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DISCTRICT
REPRESENTATIVES
BLACK BELT DISTRICT
Matt Sams Buchanan Timber & Forestry
CAPITAL DISTRICT
Brian Roth Taproot Investments, LLC
DELTA DISTRICT
Michael Turnipseed Alco Land & Timber
LONGLEAF DISTRICT
Douglas Ziebach Ziebach & Webb
MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Scott Partain Southern Parallel Forest Prod.
PIEDMONT DISTRICT
Pat Hogg Resolute Forest Products
VALLEY DISTRICT
Billy Rye Forest Management Specialists, Inc.
VULCAN DISTRICT
Robert Milstead Manulife Forest Management
WARRIOR DISTRICT
Jessica Bonner Weyerhaeuser
WIREGRASS DISTRICT
Jay Kyzar Abbeville Fiber
ALC REPRESENTATIVE
Freddy Tidwell F&C Logging LLC
FOREST FUND REPRESENTATIVE
Kevin Kennedy Kennedy Forest Products
AT-LARGE DIRECTORS
John Ayres Ayres Forestry
Dale Brown Georgia Pacific
Joey King Jasper Lumber Company
Emily Lyons B.R. Moseley Land
Brad McLauchlin Resource Management Service
Steven Meadows Louisiana Pacific
David Shoupe International Paper
Ricky Stanley T.R. Miller Mill Co.
Gene Ray Taylor Warrior Tractor & Equipment
DISTRICT MAP
AFF PRESIDENT
Chris Isaacson
AFF CHAIRMAN
Tedrick Ratcliff Claw Forestry
AFF VICE CHAIRMAN Paul Jeffreys ArborGen
AFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AFF TREASURER
Keith Plott Louisiana - Pacific
April Conrad The Coca-Cola Company
Will Conrad Threshold Timber Corp.
OFFICERS
Phillip Smith FORESTPAC CHAIRMAN Rayonier
Chris Isaacson
VICE CHAIRMAN AFA PRESIDENT Alabama Forestry Association
Tom Saunders
SECRETARY/TREASURER Alabama Forestry Association
Guice Slawson Jr. AFA CHAIRMAN Southeast Wood Treating LTD
Jon-Micheal Clark
AFA VICE CHAIRMAN WestRock
CAPITOL DISTRICT
Charles King
PIEDMONT DISTRICT Tyler Slay
VULCAN DISTRICT Kelly Crawford
MOUNTAIN DISTRICT Jeremy Goss
Rick Fredrick Enviva Biomass
Grant Lovinggood The Westervelt Company
Emily Lyons B.R. Moseley Land Company
Alexandra Sullivan - Bush Drax
Will Conrad AFA IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Westervelt
Gray Skipper AFA TREASURER Scotch Plywood Co.
Ray Colvin
AFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Westervelt
Joey King
AFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Jasper Lumber
Douglas Ziebach
AFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Ziebach & Webb
DISTRICT
REPRESENTATIVES
BLACK BELT DISTRICT
Brian Roth CAPITAL DISTRICT Taproot Invetments, LLC
Michael R. Delaney DELTA DISTRICT Delaney Development Inc.
Hooper Mathews III LONGLEAF DISTRICT Matthews Forest Service
James W. Bennett MOUNTAIN DISTRICT Bennett Lumber Co.
Dell Hill
PIEDMONT DISTRICT Selwood Farms
Amanda Littrell VALLEY DISTRICT Littrell Lumber Mill Inc.
Matthew Gordon Jr.
VULCAN DISTRICT Gordon Timberlands
Tyler McShan
WARRIOR DISTRICT McShan Lumber
Robert M. Dixon Jr.
WIREGRASS DISTRICT RM Dixon Family Partnership
VALLEY DISTRICT Bo Collins
WARRIOR DISTRICT Josh Lewis
WIREGRASS DISTRICT Broughton Jones
BLACK BELT DISTRICT Open seat
DELTA DISTRICT Open seat
LONGLEAF DISTRICT Open Seat
FORESTPAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ALC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
