About Me

If you have been in the smoke of a wildfire you know this picture isn't out of focus
Just plain pretty
Pleasure is walking through the forest and looking up and all around
Jim with Smokey in the Deschutes NF in Oregon

I am a Forester

I am proud to be a professional forester.  Forestry is a great career.  My first years as a service forester I met and worked with landowners with all different levels of knowledge, resources, and objectives.  I learned common sense approaches and language to what I had learned as a technical forester.  These formative years taught me to listen and learn, then fill in with details that add to the solution.  I have found that a private consulting business allows me time for us to get to know each other.  The trust and communication developed in our business dealings is the framework for successful projects.

Most of my career was spent as a district forester in Madisonville, KY.  I learned to design, manage, and execute projects successfully.  Dealing with personnel and budget issues were an essential part of the job.  For the most part, I enjoyed all aspects of my work, yet I always had the desire to get back in the woods and work with private landowners.

Forest Synergy was formed in January of 2004 with the intent of providing forest management service to small landowners and to educate individuals through the disciplines of forestry. In October 2012 Cheryl and I moved from KY to VA to be closer to family. I look forward to meeting and serving new clients.

The name for the company came from the idea that various fields of forestry are making significant gains in their subject matter, yet would be enhanced by working closer with other disciplines to provide a broader service for the landowner.  For many years forest management and wildlife management have served the public successfully, yet independently.  Current recognition is that neither discipline is an end within itself.  Integration of actions for the landowner is a winning combination – the Synergy of disciplines.

Since retirement, I have developed a business that involves me in wildfire prevention and forestry education.  Forest management activities are now focused on education versus the physical impacts of field work. The “Synergy” of the business is tying together disciplines like forest management and fire prevention.  A better job done in fire prevention and protection results in higher success in managing quality forests.  Landowner education results in a better understanding of the resource value and provides incentive to protect property and assets.

I am passionate about reducing wildfire..  I firmly believe that the arson problem (significant percentage in many states) can be dramatically reduced.  Each state and area has a certain set of wildfire issue to be addressed. My work in prevention, listening and learning to the people, and putting ideas into practice reinforces my belief that the effects of wildfire (both occurrence and damage) can change.  Reduced wildfire translates to higher quality timber, increased water quality, and better health to communities and individuals. 

Thank you for taking the time to visit my website.  Please feel free to call, email, or write anytime.  I am a Viet Nam veteran – Army. I look forward to speaking with you.