Podcasts

April 10, 2018

S4|E12: Peter Church – “If you aren’t getting flak, you’re not over the target”

By Tom Davidson

Peter Church is the Director of Forest Stewardship for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, where he oversees the agency’s statewide forest conservation program and the implementation of a new strategic direction for the Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry. Peter has over 29 years of experience in a variety of positions, including […]

April 4, 2018

S4|E11: Brad Simpkins – “If there is a problem, tackle it head on”

By Tom Davidson

Brad Simpkins is the Director and State Forester of the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands where he is responsible for forestry, forest management, and forest lands. Prior to arriving in New Hampshire, Brad worked for the Kentucky Division of Forestry, the National Park Service, and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry. Brad holds a […]

March 27, 2018

S4|E10: Jeff Whitney – “None of us is as smart as all of us”

By Tom Davidson

Jeff Whitney is the Arizona State Forester and Director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Jeff’s formal education includes a BS in botany from Northern Arizona University as well as a MS in environmental resources from Arizona State University. Prior to becoming State Forester, Jeff enjoyed a 36-year career with the federal government […]

March 14, 2018

S4|E9: Larry Biles – “Leadership is related to ambition, and ambition is born”

By Tom Davidson

State Forester of Kansas Larry Biles has a BS in Forestry from the University of Missouri and an MS in Ornamental Horticulture from Kansas State University. During his career, Larry has held diverse roles in many parts of the profession, including positions with state agencies, the US Forest Service, consulting forestry, and national extension forestry […]

March 7, 2018

S4|E8: David G. Smith – “Don’t raise your voice, elevate the conversation”

By Tom Davidson

Today’s guest, David Smith, was born and raised in Hawai’i where he began his career as a biologist in 1982 with contract positions at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaiʻi, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Today, he is the State Forester of Hawai’i and the Forestry and Wildlife […]