Brandon Bal is an Area Manager for American Forest Management (AFM) and earned his B.S. at Michigan Tech. Brandon leveraged some of AFM’s programs and was able to further his education online while he was still working. On the show, Brandon explains the benefits of furthering your education online, how to manage and work with older foresters, and the leadership lessons he’s learned from Band of Brothers.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:35] A quick intro about Brandon’s background.
[3:00] How did Brandon become interested in forestry?
[6;40] When Brandon was at American Forest Management (AFM), he was able to take advantage of furthering his education online.
[8:15] What has been the most fun about Brandon’s career so far?
[9:45] Brandon discusses how the most challenging thing that he’s had to face in his career was one of his staff members committing suicide.
[11:30] What kind of leadership lessons has Brandon learned along the way?
[18:00] Getting good at communication is the hardest thing to do, but it’s by far the most important.
[19:00] What kind of mentors has Brandon had over the years?
[21:10] What advice does Brandon have for young professionals?
[23:05] Brandon has had some failures throughout his career. What did he learn about that?
[24:45] Where does Brandon see the forestry profession going in the next couple of years?
[27:15] Brandon recommends reading Band of Brothers for leadership lessons.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Laura Parker is the Manager of Forest Planning and Analysis for American Forest Management Inc., where she delivers strategic and tactical forest planning solutions for a wide range of clients. Laura has been with American Forest Management for a little over 14 years and speaks highly of the role models and company culture there. Find out more about Laura and her advice to young and aspiring foresters out there, in this week’s episode.
Key Takeaways:
[:58] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:35] A quick intro about Laura’s background.
[3:10] How did Laura become interested in forestry?
[5:15] What kind of challenges has Laura experienced by being in a male-dominated field?
[7:25] Laura discusses how she originally got involved with utility forestry early in her career.
[9:45] Laura highly recommends taking an internship while you’re in school. It helps build job experience and makes you more marketable.
[10:35] What advice does Laura have for young professionals coming out of school?
[13:50] What’s it like working with American Forest Management (AFM)?
[15:50] What does Laura enjoy the most about working for AFM?
[17:25] Laura discusses what she wished she learned about leadership earlier in her career.
[21:20] Should you get an MBA as a forester? Laura thinks so!
[26:25] What kinds of mentors has Laura had over the years?
[29:45] Laura highly recommends It’s Not about the Coffee, by Howard Behar.
Mentioned in This Episode:
It’s Not about the Coffee: Lessons on Putting People First from a Life at Starbucks, by Howard Behar
Nicole Belhumeur is an ISA Certified Arborist who earned her Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Rhode Island. Nicole began her career as an Arborist at Bartlett Tree Experts and now works for them as a recruiter. If you’re interested in finding out more about what she and Bartlett does, feel free to reach out to her! On the show, Nicole talks about being a silent leader, how being passionate brings motivation to succeed, and so much more.
Key Takeaways:
[1:00] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:40] A quick intro about Nicole’s background.
[3:10] How did Nicole become interested in forestry?
[6:10] Why is the Arnold Arboretum so special?
[8:10] What was it like when Nicole worked on her first landscaping architecture job when she left college?
[9:30] How did Nicole make the switch from this job to the one she has now at Bartlett Tree Experts?
[11:15] Nicole is still in touch with her teachers from college, who have since helped her find new opportunities and jobs.
[11:45] Now that Nicole works as a recruiter, her ideal candidate is through a personal referral.
[12:10] What kind of work does Nicole do for Bartlett?
[16:55] What has been some of the rewarding as well as challenging parts of being a young professional?
[18:45] What does Nicole wish she had learned sooner?
[20:25] Nicole discusses some traits in both good and bad leaders.
[22:50] What kind of mentors has Nicole had over the years?
[25:45] What really makes a good mentor?
[28:25] Where is the future of natural resources going?
[33:20] Take risks and try new things! It will expand your opportunities.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Call Nicole: 203-388-0797.
Ian Fox earned a B.S. in Forest Resource Management from the University of Tennessee and he’s currently the Natural Resource Staff Officer for the Cibola National Forest and Natural Grasslands in New Mexico. On the show, Ian discusses why he loves forestry, how we’re all ‘de facto leaders’ to some degree, and why you have to take the initiative to find good talent; they don’t just come to you.
Key Takeaways:
[:45] A quick intro about Ian’s background.
[1:55] How did Ian first get started in forestry?
[3:45] When Ian left college, what kinds of jobs did he get hired for?
[6:40] Why is the Cibola National Forest in New Mexico so unique?
[9:05] What’s it like working with the tribes in the area?
[11:35] The best way in New Mexico to really do some good work is to partner/work with the local communities, who already have a longstanding tradition with nature.
[12:10] It all boils down to relationship building, listening, understanding, and respect.
[16:20] What is Ian most proud of in his career so far?
[18:40] What has Ian learned about leadership and working with other people?
[20:25] As a forester, regardless of what field you might have picked, you have to be a jack of all trades. You have to know what resources are available to you.
[24:50] What do the good leaders get right in their management style?
[27:55] Did Ian ever have mentors throughout his career?
[32:00] What is Ian's advice for young professionals?
[34:10] You need around six years to really see the true outcome of a project.
[34:20] Where does Ian see the profession going in the next couple of years?
[40:25] You gotta work for your talent pool. You have to get yourself out there and find the talent.
[41:30] Ian highly recommends The Art of War, by Sun Tzu.
[44:45] Ian wishes he was more open to accepting challenges when he was new in his career.
Mentioned in This Episode:
The USDA Forest Service: The First Century, by Gerald W. Williams