2024 IMPACT REPORT
FROM THE CEO
Chris Isaacson President & CEO
“ Our mandate is to identify those issues creating challenges for our members and determine ways to mitigate those challenges.”
2024 was indeed a challenging year for many of our members with mortgage rates remaining stubbornly high, forest products pricing depressed, and labor and operating costs continuing to rise. Despite these challenges, our members and supporters remained committed to AFA’s mission, empowering us to continue to grow our impact and respond effectively to the expanding challenges facing our industry.
In the following pages you will see a snapshot of the programs, activities, and accomplishments of AFA and our twelve affiliated organizations. All these accomplishments were 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 early adoption of the 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 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 communities is engaged members who are willing to give their time and resources to pursue AFA’s vision. 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.
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.
Alabama Forestry Association (AFA)
Monitoring and influencing local, state, and federal government policy and actions impacting Alabama’s forest community since 1949.
ForestPAC
Developing financial resources necessary to recruit, support, and elect conservative, pro-business leaders at local and state levels since 1995.
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 second-largest, Tree Farm program, working with family forest owners to provide education, and supporting wise stewardship of Alabama’s forest resources since 1941.
TREE® ALABAMA Alabama Project Learning Tree Committee
Promoting environmental education into classrooms to enable students to think critically about complex environmental issues.
PROJECT LEARNING
Alabama Loggers Council (ALC)
Representing and promoting Alabama’s logging community and addressing wood supply chain challenges since 1992.
ForestryWorks®
Focused on workforce development for the forest industry since 2017 by engaging students, promoting forestry careers, and providing 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.
Alabama Forestry Association Health & Welfare Plan Trust
Providing access to affordable health, dental, and vision insurance to forest industry employers since 2019.
Southern Resources Alliance (SRA)
Multi-state, cross-industry organization promoting and facilitating environmental regulatory reform since 2015.
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.
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.
2024 Legislator of the Year STEVE LIVINGSTON
“I am thankful to be honored with this award from AFA,” said Senator Livingston.
“Forestry not only has a huge impact in my district, but in our State. I am proud to continue to work alongside AFA and to make the $36 billion forest industry stronger and more successful. My goal is to ease regulations, improve the business environment and keep taxes low for all of Alabama. I look forward to watching our state and the forest industry continue to grow.”
Sen. Steve Livingston accepting the Legislator of the Year Award from Sen. Will Barfoot at the AFA Annual Meeting
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 on the lives and well-being of Alabama’s citizens.
RESULTS
2024 ForestPAC Contributions
$412,340
Chairman’s Club Members
28
ForestPAC Selwood Sporting Clays
$37,000 Pinecone Open
$25,000
Introduced
Weight Tolerance Bill .................................. passed
Supported
Child Care Tax Credit .................................. passed
Real Property Appraisal Limits .................. passed
Pore Space Ownership ............................... passed
Opposed
Fish Consumption Advisory Requirements .............................................. defeated
Alabama Waters Task Force ....................... defeated
Municipalities PJ Tax Collection ................ defeated
Plastics Bill ................................................... defeated
Wilcox County Ad Valorem Tax .................. defeated
Amended
Autauga County Ad Valorem ..................... amended / passed Board & Commissions Consolidation ....... amended / failed
Appropriations
Logger Efficiency Fund (Rural Bridges) ..... $2,000,000
Responsible Staff: Anna Morgan Skipper, AFA Grassroots Coordinator
FOCUS
To provide opportunities to build relationships between AFA members and Public Officials in order to promote knowledge of the forest industry.
400+
1,140
20
Responsible Staff:
Anna Morgan Skipper, 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.
VOLUNTEERS STUDENTS REACHED TOTAL EVENT REACH PLANNED EVENTS
“Women in the Woods provides invaluable educational opportunities that empower women in state government to gain a deeper understanding of industries like forestry, conservation, and wildfire management,” said Representative Leigh Hulsey. “This event strengthens our ability to support these essential fields, which play a vital role in serving, protecting, and growing our state.”
-Representative Leigh Hulsey
Industry/Market Promotion
FOCUS
Increase awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of forestry; improve markets for renewable, sustainable forest products.
COUNTY OUTREACH (NEW STRATEGY)
Piloted in 5 counties (Baldwin, Clarke, Crenshaw, Jackson, Pickens)
Advertising/articles in 10 local newspapers / 69,000 total circulation
Engaging local public officials / community leaders through existing AFA events in these counties
SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT 2024
ALABAMA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION
ALABAMA FORESTRY FOUNDATION
ALABAMA LOGGERS COUNCIL
Networking Opportunities
“Speaking at the 2024 AFA Annual Meeting, I found an event filled with old friends from across the South, new connections, and a remarkable passion for forestry. The dedication of AFA staff and members—from seedling to finished product—strikes a chord with this woodsman from B.C. The Alabama Forestry Association’s commitment to advancing forestry through collaboration between individuals, industry, and government make Alabama a leader and a prime destination for investment in the forest products sector.”
– Brian Fehr, Chairman, Brian Fehr Group
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 8-10
Perdido Beach Resort, Orange Beach
2024 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.
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.
Insurance
“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 back is one of the many reasons we stay with ForestFund.”
– Winson Bryant - President Foothills Timber Company
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
• 349 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
• 381 Members
• $6.5 Million return of premium to members Million return of premiums to members
AFA Timberland Owner Liability -
Provide commercial general liability coverage to landowners for risks associated with owning and managing land.
• Competitive pricing
• 104 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
• 756 Total lives covered
• 10% Average savings vs. similar plans
alaforestry.org/insurance
• 359 Members (94% of participants) receiving dividends
• 50% Average return
• $141.5 Million in dividends returned since 1990
Checks totaling $6.5 million were mailed recently to ForestFund participants, the Workers’ Compensation Fund for Alabama Forestry Association members.
JOSEPH AMMONS President / Fund Administrator
KELLY DANIEL Vice President - Underwriting
MIKE MOORE Vice President - Finance
ALABAMA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION TEAM
CHRIS ISAACSON President
Controller
CHAMBERS Senior Director of Administration
Director of Community Affairs
ASHLEY SMITH Director of Education
General Counsel / Director of Government Affairs
BEN SMITH Executive Director; Alabama Loggers Council
Grassroots Coordinator
JACQUIE WILSON Director of Membership & Advertising, Alabama Forests Editor
ANNA MORGAN SKIPPER
TOM SAUNDERS
ADAM EASLEY
LEIGH PETERS
DAVID CARLISLE Accounting Manager
LIZ
Forest Stewardship and Certification
Cole Browning, AFF - Tree Farm Director
Ashley Smith, AFA – SFI-SIC State Coordinator
FOCUS Responsible Staff: Chris Erwin, AFF – Executive Vice President
Promote wise stewardship of Alabama’s natural resources and provide education opportunities to forest landowners to help them protect and improve their forests.
Program Participation Volunteerism
4,058 Tree Farms
2,331 Tree Farmers
2,103,422 Total Acreage
112 New Tree Farms with 32,371 New Acres
205 Reinspections with 128,336 New Acres
5 Learn & Burn Prescibed Fire Demonstrations with 145 Total Attendees
SFI Certification
38 SFI companies participating in the SFI Alabama State Implementation Committee
3,030,086 acres SFI certified
98.3% BMP compliance on harvested tracts as reported by Alabama Forestry Commission
Doug Link Leadership Award
Ed Lewis
Inspector of the Year
Todd Langston
2024 Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Landmark Park, Dothan Awards
Tree Farm is a volunteer program that relies on foresters and landowners to support sustainably managed forests in the state.
3,054 54
Volunteer Hours
Contributed in 2024
Up 43%
Volunteer Foresters from 2023
11 Tree Farmers celebrated their 25th Anniversary
5 Tree Farmers celebrated their 50th Anniversary
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)
Forests Forever Foundation
Teacher Conservation Workshop (TCW)
39 TEACHERS TRAINED
4,830 STUDENTS IMPACTED
Auburn University Architectural Tour
63
STUDENTS ENGAGED IN CLASSROOM AND FIELD TOUR
Students Impacted Fawn Grants Total FAWN Grants Awarded 11
4,675 $5,500
“As a teacher, this is a fantastic opportunity to see all the possible career options for my students. The information we received from this program also gives me a huge inventory of learning opportunities to show my students the importance of forestry and all the products forestry brings to us as consumers. I will strongly encourage more teachers to bring their coworkers to this program.”
- Melissa Waddell
Conservation
ALABAMA FORESTRY FOUNDATION TEAM
BENCE CARTER Conservation Biologist
CHRIS ERWIN Executive Vice President
COLE BROWNING Tree Farm Director
CHRIS ISAACSON President
Promote and conserve the rich diversity of natural resources from Alabama’s healthy, abundant forests.
CONSERVATION PROJECTS
SOUTHEAST AQUATICS (COMPLETED MARCH 2024)
12 Site Visits
4,272 Acres
614 Acres Burned
2 S tream Barriers Removed
13.9 Stream Miles Opened
36 Site Visits 10,184 Acres
11 Landowner Field Events with 235 Participants
3 Hands-on Landowner Training (Midstory Control) with 56 Participants
PLAIN
30 Site Visits 55,017 Acres
28 Outreach/Education Events with 1,154 Total Attendees
9,569 Acres Burned
425 Acres Improved Management
163 Acres Planted
11 Acres Invasive Species Treatment
Streambank Restoration Started 600’ Little Bear Creek (will be completed in 2025)
SHORTLEAF PINE
103 ACRES UPLAND HARDWOOD BURNED
387 ACRES UNDER IMPROVED MANAGEMENT
35 ACRES PLANTED 85 ACRES PLANTED
80 ACRES BURNED
425 ACRES UNDER IMPROVED MANAGEMENT
AUTUMN WATROUS Wildlife Biologist
TYLER SIBLEY Fish & Wildlife Biologist
Responsible Staff: Ben Smith, ALC – Executive Director
FOCUS
Support
Alabama Loggers Council Events
Supply Chain
Professional Logging Manager Events
“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
“ForestryWorks® Field Day was an extremely informative day that showcased local forestry occupations from landowner, to harvest, to production. We left the event excited to come back and share the industry with our students and to encourage them to pursue careers in forestry.”
-Amanda Hardy, Henry County Career Coach
ALABAMA FORESTRYWORKS ® TEAM
CHRIS ISAACSON President
DAVID BENEFIELD Workforce Development Coordinator
STEPHANIE FULLER Director of Promotions and Economic Development
KARA FOREMAN Workforce Development Coordinator
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 long- and short-term approaches of education, career promotion, and training.
Originally founded by the Alabama Forestry Association in 2018, the Forest Workforce Training Institute, a 501C3 non-profit manages the nationally recognized ForestryWorks® workforce development initiative that is now being utilized by forestry partners in 10 states and growing. The Alabama Forestry Association is proud to manage the Alabama ForestryWorks® program.
Career Education Career Promotion
FOREST WORKER CREDENTIAL
24
Educators Certified To Teach Forest Worker Program
252
Cumulative Certified Educators
2,808
Students Certified In High School Forest Worker Program
7,551 Cumulative Certified Students
18,250 TOTAL TEACHERS REACHED TOTAL STUDENTS REACHED CAREER EDUCATION EVENTS
341
Students/Teachers at LBW Field Day
Students/Teachers at Charter School Field Day
Students/Teachers at Region 6 Field
SAWMILL WORKER CURRICULUM COMPLETED
The first cohort of teachers have been trained, and the curriculum is currently being piloted in five high schools.
TRUCK DRIVER RECRUITMENT - An elite recruitment program connecting employers with qualified candidates for commercial truck driving positions at no cost.
85 Truck Drivers Applied
110 Employers Received Applications
JOB BOARD - An exclusive job board for forest industry employers to showcase premier job opportunities at no cost.
943 Individuals Clicked “Apply”
Training
30,790 Active Users On Homepage And State Page
288 Industry Members Trained Through Continuing Education and Safety Courses
The Tiny Timber Crew®
Sam Visits a Sawmill, the third title of the Tiny Timber Crew® series, was released in July 2024.
Released Books: Lucy Meets a Logger
Travis Visits a Tree Farm
Sam Visits a Sawmill
540 students attended Tiny Timber Crew® reading events
JORDAN LITTRELL
EMILY VANDERFORD
MAGGIE POPE
OFFICERS
AFA CHAIRMAN
Jon-Micheal Clark
Smurfit Westrock
AFA VICE CHAIRMAN
Phillip Smith
Rayonier
AFA PRESIDENT/ SECRETARY
Chris Isaacson
Alabama Forestry Association
AFA TREASURER
Gray Skipper
Scotch Plywood Co.
AFA IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN
Guice Slawson, Jr.
Southeast Forest Products
FORESTPAC CHAIRMAN
Joey King
Jasper Lumber Company
AFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DISTRICT
REPRESENTATIVES
BLACK BELT DISTRICT
Matt Sams
Buchanan Timber & Forestry
CAPITAL DISTRICT
Skylar Clark Heritage Timber Company
DELTA DISTRICT
Robert Cooper
Cooper Timberlands
LONGLEAF DISTRICT
Douglas Ziebach Ziebach & Webb
MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Scott Partain
Southern Parallel Forest Prod.
PIEDMONT DISTRICT
Colton George Resolute Forest Products
VALLEY DISTRICT
Eli Epps
Packaging Corporation
America
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
Dale Brown Georgia Pacific
Ray Colvin Westervelt
Bobby Dobson Taproot Investments
Matt Ezekiel Resource Management Service
Claire Getty
Thompson Appalachian Hardwood
Daniel Hall
Evergreen Forest Products
Mel Koller Alabama Farm Credit
Steven Meadows Louisiana Pacific
David Shoupe
International Paper
DISTRICT MAP
Ricky Stanley T.R. Miller Mill Co.
CHAIRMAN
Paul Jeffreys ArborGen
VICE-CHAIRMAN
Rick Frederick Enviva
PRESIDENT / SECRETARY
Chris Isaacson Alabama Forestry Association
OFFICERS
FORESTPAC CHAIRMAN
Joey King
Jasper Lumber Company
FORESTPAC VICE CHAIRMAN
AFA President
Chris Isaacson
Alabama Forestry Association
SECRETARY/TREASURER (NON-VOTING MEMBER)
Tom Saunders
Alabama Forestry Association
AFA CHAIRMAN
Jon-Micheal Clark Smurfit Westrock
AFA VICE CHAIRMAN
Phillip Smith Rayonier
AFF BOARD OF TRUSTEES
TREASURER
Keith Plott
AFA IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN
Guice Slawson, Jr. Southeast Forest Products
Alexandra Sullivan-Bush DRAX
April Conrad The Coca-Cola Company
Grant Lovinggood Westervelt
Emily Lyons B.R. Moseley Land Company
Tedrick Ratcliff Claw Forestry
FORESTPAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AFA IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN
Guice Slawson, Jr. Southeast Wood
AFA TREASURER
Gray Skipper
Scotch Plywood Co.
AFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Ray Colvin Westervelt
AFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Douglas Ziebach Ziebach & Webb
AFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Ricky Stanley T.R. Miller Co., Inc.
ALC REPRESENTATIVE
Freddy Tidwell F&C Logging, LLC
CHAIRMAN
Freddy Tidwell F&C Logging
CAPITAL DISTRICT
Charles King King Logging, LLC
LONGLEAF DISTRICT
Neal Snider R & N Logging, LLC
MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Jeremy Goss
Cherokee Timber Services, LLC
PIEDMONT DISTRICT
DISTRICT
REPRESENTATIVES
BLACK BELT DISTRICT
Mark Nolen Nolen Land & Timber Inc.
CAPITAL DISTRICT Brian Roth Central Ala Wood Products
DELTA DISTRICT
Michael R. Delaney Delaney Development, Inc.
LONGLEAF DISTRICT Hooper Mathews III Matthews Forest Service
MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
James W. Bennett Bennett Lumber Co.
PIEDMONT DISTRICT Dell Hill Selwood Farms
VALLEY DISTRICT
Deano C. Orr Weyerhaeuser
Tyler Slay Slay Forest Enterprises LLC.
VALLEY DISTRICT Bo Collins
Bobby Collins Logging Company
VULCAN DISTRICT
Kelly Crawford K&K Logging
WIREGRASS DISTRICT
Broughton Jones
Three Notch Logging
VULCAN DISTRICT
Matthew Gordon, Jr. Gordon Timberlands
WARRIOR DISTRICT VACANT
WIREGRASS DISTRICT
Robert M. Dixon, Jr. RM Dixon Family Partnership
AT-LARGE DIRECTORS
DeWayne Oakley Oakley Forest Products, Inc.
William W. McDonald, Jr. McDonald Group Investments
Keefe Burt KYKENKEE
J. Thomas Bradley, III Bradley Forest Products
Kevin Kennedy Kennedy Forest Products
WARRIOR DISTRICT
Josh Lewis Lewis Timber, Inc.
BLACK BELT DISTRICT Open seat
DELTA DISTRICT Open seat
