Matt Dowdy started his own company, Dowdy’s Forest & Land Management, in 2007 and it’s a full-service forest consulting firm in the state of Virginia. With slightly over 26 years of forestry consulting experience, Matt has a lot of wisdom to share on today’s podcast! Find out what’s it like being your own boss, lessons Matt wished he’d learned sooner, and where the future of forestry is headed!
Key Takeaways:
[1:05] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:45] A quick intro about Matt’s background.
[3:10] How did Matt get into forestry?
[4:45] What was Matt’s first job like?
[7:10] Matt shares what he likes about being a forestry consultant.
[8:35] What kinds of lessons has Matt learned along the way, that surprised him?
[9:25] As a forestry consultant, you’re pretty much a middleman, working on behalf of your client.
[10:55] How does Matt work with clients who don’t know what they want?
[12:25] What kinds of challenges has Matt faced so far?
[13:25] Matt shares some of his first leadership experiences and the lessons he learned.
[16:00] Even though Matt is the owner of his own business, his clients are really his boss.
[19:40] What kinds of mentors has Matt had, over the years?
[21:20] What makes a good forestry consultant?
[22:45] Matt shares some of his wisdom for those aspiring forestry consultants out there!
[23:05] Where is the future of forestry headed for the younger generation?
[29:25] What has Matt’s experience at ACF been like?
[34:35] Once you realize you’re wasting your time, move on!
Mentioned in This Episode:
David Henderson is the owner of Henderson Forestry Consultants and has been serving landowners in the North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia area for over 30 years. David says it took him a good eight years to get the hang of owning his own business and another 20 years to get a good hang on consulting! David is a wise soul with lots of wisdom about consulting, owning a business, and what he wishes he’d learned sooner!
Key Takeaways:
[1:05] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:40] A quick intro about David’s background.
[3:05] How did David get into forestry?
[5:40] What was David’s first job like?
[9:25] How did David become a forestry consultant?
[11:30] It took David eight years to get his business off the ground and another 20 years before he felt like he was a consultant.
[13:10] What does David wish he learned sooner?
[17:10] What does David’s team look like today?
[19:45] Working with new technology is a struggle for older foresters, which is why it’s important to bring in new and young talent into the mix.
[23:40] What is David most proud of so far?
[27:05] What does David wish he’d learned sooner in his career?
[29:00] David offers some words of wisdom for young foresters looking to excel in their career.
[30:40] David dives into ACF and how they’ve helped him in his career.
[33:30] Where does David think the forestry industry is headed?
[38:25] What kinds of mentors has David had over the years?
Mentioned in This Episode:
American Canopy: Trees, Forests, and the Making of a Nation, by Eric Rutkow
Justin Miller is the Founder and President of Green Timber Consulting Foresters. Established in 2001, Green Timber currently staffs 8 foresters and serves clients throughout the upper great lakes region in Michigan. In 2017, Justin was recognized at the School of Forest Resource Environmental Sciences as Outstanding Aluminist for his contributions in the forestry industry and students at MTU. On today’s show, Justin explains how you don’t need to have a ‘traditional’ path to get into forestry and offers key advice for aspiring forestry consulting students.
Key Takeaways:
[1:05] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:50] A quick intro about Justin’s background.
[4:25] How did Justin get into forestry and natural resources?
[6:10] What types of jobs did Justin when he first got out of college?
[7:50] How do people typically get into forestry consulting?
[9:00] You can get started in consulting through other ways. You don’t have to join a big firm in order to be a consulting forester.
[10:25] What types of clients does Justin have at Green Timber?
[11:30] What kind of problems does the average client have when they first come to Green Timber?
[13:55] Justin shares a little bit about the differences in environment and silvicultural characteristics of his area.
[16:00] What’s fun about being a forester and a forestry consultant?
[19:40] Justin explains the ACF vetting process and what you need to do to join.
[21:55] Justin has learned so much material through ACF that wasn’t available at his university.
[24:35] What did Justin wished he learned sooner about the industry?
[26:55] What do people ought to know about becoming a supervisor?
[32:15] What makes a good leader?
[33:05] What advice does Justin have for aspiring forest professionals?
[36:55] Justin talks about some of the exciting projects he’s worked on in the past.
[41:00] What kind of mentors has Justin had over the years?
Mentioned in This Episode:
Tom Hittle is a Forester with 30 years of experience as a Forestry Consultant and is the Senior Vice President of Project Coordination at Steigerwaldt Land Services. Tom’s experiences include due diligence for timberland acquisitions, resource analysis, and forest management planning, and systems development and implementation! With Tom’s background, you don’t want to miss what he has to say when it comes to his line of work and what he looks for in young talent!
Key Takeaways:
[1:05] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:45] A quick intro about Tom’s background.
[3:50] How did Tom get into forestry and natural resources?
[6:00] What kind of work has Tom done over the years?
[8:10] What’s the most interesting part about being a consulting forester?
[9:20] Tom shares the types of technology he works with in his field.
[10:55] Tom has a lot of fun on the job! He shares some of the things he’s enjoyed the most about his job so far.
[12:55] Tom shares a little bit about the history of Steigerwaldt Land Services.
[15:15] What advice does Tom have for those who want to become a forestry consultant?
[20:25] What types of challenges do forestry consultants face?
[24:15] Tom shares how he uses his introversion to his advantages while on the job!
[26:00] What was it like when Tom first started supervising people?
[27:15] What is one leadership lesson Tom wished he learned sooner?
[28:55] Tom shares the types of mentors he has had throughout his career.
[32:25] Tom has been working hard to develop relationships with students early on in their career, even if they don’t have a position currently open at the moment.
[35:35] Tom recommends watching the Apollo 13 movie!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Steve Templin is President of Templin Forestry Inc., a Certified Forester as well as an SAF Fellow. Steve has a diverse background and has been a Consulting Forester for the last 39 years and also a real estate broker for 32 of those years. On today’s show, Steve shares how he discovered Forestry Consulting, provides advice for aspiring professionals, and how joining the Association of Consulting Foresters has helped Steve’s career.
Key Takeaways:
[1:10] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:45] A quick intro about Steve’s background.
[4:10] How did Steve get into forestry and natural resources?
[10:00] Steven always knew he wanted to be a consulting forester, even when he was in school.
[14:20] Steve feels so blessed that he was able to get into consulting forestry early on in his career.
[18:00] Steve credits his wife for helping him enjoy his life more without worrying about the money. She helped him change his mindset and perspective.
[19:25] How has ACF helped Steve throughout his career?
[23:30] How does Steve teach/inspire his employees to do better?
[26:20] What advice does Steve have for aspiring foresters?
[30:25] What is Steve working on these days?
Mentioned in This Episode:
T.R. Clark is a Forestry Consultant based in Alabama. T.R. currently serves as Regional Manager for F&W Forestry Services, where he provides consulting forestry services and timberland management services for non-industrial private landowners. On today’s show, T.R. shares how aspiring foresters can get into consulting work, why it’s critical to be a good listener in this field, and how the Association of Consulting Foresters can help your career.
Key Takeaways:
[1:10] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:50] A quick intro about TR’s background.
[3:35] What does a typical day look like for a forestry consultant?
[5:35] How did T.R. get into forestry and natural resources?
[7:15] What kind of work did T.R. do while he was in college?
[9:45] What prepared T.R. the most with land ownership management?
[11:55] What does it really mean to listen to the client?
[13:30] T.R. shares the types of mentors he’s had over the years.
[15:15] You have to be willing to teach, not just tell.
[16:05] What have been some of the most memorable moments of T.R.’s job so far?
[18:50] T.R. explains what makes being a forestry consultant so rewarding.
[21:35] What advice does T.R. have for aspiring forestry consultants?
[23:40] When did T.R. first oversee a project as a leader?
[25:45] What makes F&W Forestry unique as a consulting firm?
[27:55] Why did T.R. join Association of Consulting Foresters?
[29:35] T.R. shares his thoughts on the future of forestry.
[31:15] We simply don’t communicate to the public enough about all the good work foresters do for the environment.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Mike Delegan is a Consulting Forester with a ton of incredible experience in both public and private land management. As a consultant for Mason Bruce & Girard Inc., Mike provides turnkey forest land management services for timberland investors, private family owners, and land management agencies. On today’s show, Mike shares how he got into consulting, offers advice for young aspiring professionals looking to get into this field, and so much more!
Key Takeaways:
[1:00] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:40] A quick intro about Mike’s background.
[3:15] What’s a typical day look like for a forestry consultant?
[7:50] How did Mike get into forestry and natural resources?
[14:50] Why did Mike get a Bachelors in Urban Forestry?
[17:25] What was Mike’s first job out of college?
[26:20] Mike shares what were some of his best jobs that prepared him to become a forestry consultant.
[28:20] How did Mike get his position at Mason Bruce & Girard Inc.?
[31:25] Mike offers advice on how someone can become a forestry consultant.
[36:25] Mike’s job description is so broad that there are many different ways he can take in his career.
[42:20] What do foresters need to get better at?
[46:40] When you work in forestry or forestry consulting, you become very adaptable and there are a lot of different companies looking for your skill sets.
Mentioned in This Episode:
In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette,
by Hampton Sides
Matt Sampson is the Senior Director of ForestLand Operations for the North East Region of the Forest Land Group, which is headquartered in North Carolina. Matt oversees on-the-ground management activities for the approximately 597,000 acres owned by the Prior Affiliated Funds in the region. On today’s show, Matt shares the steps he took that excelled his career, the mentors he looks up to, and advice for young professionals looking to get into the field!
Key Takeaways:
[1:00] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:45] A quick intro about Matt’s background.
[3:40] How did Matt get into forestry and natural resources?
[6:15] What was it like working in Idaho?
[10:55] Matt dives into what types of jobs he did after he graduated university.
[14:35] What does Matt do now?
[15:45] What kinds of skills does someone need in order to take on a Senior Director Forestland Operations position?
[18:05] Matt shares tips on how to better communicate with other people.
[21:25] What does Matt wish he’d learned sooner about his job?
[26:15] You never really realize the full impact you’ve had on somebody as a leader.
[27:30] What kinds of challenges has Matt undergone that have really shaped him as a leader and professional?
[31:55] Military personnel and foresters share the same types of leadership training and they both have to learn how to handle different group dynamics.
[35:30] Matt doesn’t really see himself as a leader; more like a people coordinator.
[37:15] What advice does Matt have for young professionals?
[41:45] How important is networking?
[45:00] Matt leaves us with some final thoughts about forestry. We speak for the trees!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Who Moved My Cheese: An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life, by Spencer Johnson
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Laura Hillenbrand
Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest, by Stephen E. Ambrose
The Biggest Brother: The Life of Major Dick Winters, the Man Who Led the Band of Brothers,
by Larry Alexander
Alex Singleton is a Fiber Specialist at International Papers in Georgia. He is responsible for the overall management of wood purchases and deliveries into the mill and wet storage yard. Prior to this, Alex was a Procurement Forester for Weyerhaeuser and a Harvest Manager for Mead Westvaco Paper. On today’s episode, Alex discusses how he got introduced to forestry and how he helped create a meaningful forestry program to introduce young African American children into the field of Natural Resources.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:35] A quick intro to Alex’s background.
[3:25] How did Alex get into forestry and natural resources?
[8:50] Alex had forestry all around him and he didn’t even know it!
[11:55] What was it like going to college for forestry?
[18:20] Alex never felt out of place while he was attending university.
[19:55] What was Alex’s first job outside of school like?
[27:20] Alex became a district forester when he was in his young 20s and he held that position for 10 years.
[33:25] Never stop networking! It will set you up for success no matter what field you’re in.
[37:50] What does Alex do for his current role at International Paper?
[42:25] Alex is so proud that he is able to share what he knows with other African Americans.
[47:05] In the beginning, it was a struggle trying to recruit young kids into the industry.
[53:05] Alex has had a parent come up to thank him for saving their child’s life!
[59:40] You can become paralyzed by the big choices that are facing you, but you gotta square up to things and just move forward.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Julius Tillery is a 5th generation farmer who helps other farmers in rural communities succeed in their businesses. Julius is a big advocate and supporter of local farmers as well as runs his own business, Black Cotton. Julius graduated in 2004 at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and he earned his B.A in Economics. Find out more about Julius and the work he does on today’s episode!
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:40] A quick intro to Julius’s background.
[4:00] How did Julius get into forestry and natural resources?
[6:20] Julius decided to go back to school to further his college education, but after a brief stint, he felt it was better to drop out and get ‘on the ground’ experience instead.
[9:15] Are there a lot of millenials interested in agricultural work?
[14:55] When Julius got his first job, he was 23-years-old, but he was very knowledgeable in his field because he’s been working on the farm since he was 16.
[16:25] What kind of farming did Julius grow up doing?
[19:35] What kind of partnerships has Julius developed over the years?
[21:20] Julius remembers a time where ‘conservation’ and ‘environmentalism’ were bad words for a business.
[23:50] What is Julius most proud of in his career?
[25:45] Why are some minorities hesitant to join natural resources?
[31:25] What is Julius’s business, Black Cotton, all about?
[36:15] Despite Julius’s county being the number 2 cotton producer in his state, his county is still one of the poorest in the country. How is this possible when you have such a big asset?
[37:00] Cotton farmers get pennies on the dollar from cotton, but through local efforts, that can be changed.
[41:00] Look at what’s going on the world and then ask yourself where you see yourself in it that will make an impact, that will make a change for the better.
[45:25] What do young professionals need to know about this field?
[51:05] How important has social media been for Julius and Black Cotton?
Mentioned in This Episode:
Nicholas Jamahl Butler has experienced nearly the entire range of natural resource management in his seven-year career. Jamahl is the District Ranger of the Las Angeles Gateway Ranger District and has a focus on ecological restoration and conservation. On today’s show, Jamahl dives into the importance of having those tough conversations with those who don’t always see eye-to-eye with you, being proud of your unique talent, and so much more!
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:35] A quick intro to Jamahl’s background.
[3:50] How did Jamahl get into forestry and natural resources?
[11:40] The foresters that Jamahl knew at the time were very excited to take a high school student under their wing.
[18:50] Jamahl entered into a forestry program early in his education, which helped him get on the ground experience as well as a bit of income.
[28:30] Jamahl was offered a full-time position before his internship was over.
[30:35] What kind of projects did Jamahl work on when he got his first job?
[38:00] Through Jamahl’s extensive and diverse experience, he’s able to have a deeper understanding of his work and bring a unique perspective to the table.
[41:00] Everyone in your life teaches you what to think but it’s not always accurate.
[47:15] Jamahl explains the process of how he got his college degree.
[51:40] What was it like to work as a state forester?
[58:40] What was it like living in Utah as a person of color?
[1:01:20] Jamahl shares a story of a co-worker who once explained to him, ‘what it was like to be black.’
[1:10:00] Jamahl explains his experience when he first arrived in Houston, Texas.
[1:18:30] Jamahl met a woman who was so passionate about forestry, but had no clue that you could go to school for it and specialize in different type of forestry!
[1:23:20] Jamahl shares his thoughts on race relation, cultural differences, and diversity.
[1:32:45] How often do you have to worry about someone sexually assaulting you?
[1:38:00] What does Jamahl do as District Ranger?
[1:40:45] How does leadership differ now that Jamahl is in this position?
[1:44:25] Most people think of themselves as hardworking and well-meaning, but they might not have the same definition of those things as you do.
[1:47:30] What kinds of challenges has Jamahl experienced in forestry as a person of color?
[1:50:30] What career advice does Jamahl have for young people?
[2:03:45] We all have unique qualities and it’s important to share your art with others.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Dr. Stephanie Freeman is the GIS Coordinator for the U.S. Forest Service. Stephanie has a Ph.D. in Plant and Soil Science from Alabama A&M. However, despite her extensive education, Stephanie admits she did very poorly in school but she was still able to prevail and get into her career field of choice by excelling greatly in internships and listening to key mentors to help guide her along the way. High grades do help, but it’s not the only way to get into your field of choice!
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:35] A quick intro to Stephanie’s background.
[3:30] How did Stephanie get into forestry and natural resources?
[7:25] Stephanie describes what her internship experience at Walt Disney World was like.
[10:30] Stephanie shares an experience of when someone did not take her seriously about her passions and pursuits.
[12:35] Stephanie was a C student in school, but she still prevailed through excelling in internships.
[14:30] Stephanie was fortunate enough to work at two NASA stations.
[16:55] Keep a strong integrity and character no matter what.
[17:25] What’s next for Stephanie?
[18:10] Stephanie recommends some of her favorite books.
[24:30] Leaders are made over time and through experiences!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Trace: Memory, History, Race, and the American Landscape, by Lauret E. Savoy
Favor, the Road to Success: How to Receive Special Favor with God and People, by Bob Buess
Kimpton Cooper is an accomplished forester and forestry leader. Kimpton currently serves as the District Ranger on the Angelina Sabine Ranger District in East Texas. Kimpton earned his Masters of Environmental Management at Yale University. When it comes to diversity, Kimpton emphasizes the importance of looking to the future to make proactive changes that will make an impact on future generations to come. Find out more about Kimpton’s insightful thoughts on today’s show!
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:35] A quick intro to Kimpton’s background.
[4:05] How did Kimpton get into forestry and natural resources?
[9:45] What does Kimpton mean by having a social license?
[11:40] Kimpton shares the types of jobs he’s done throughout his career.
[19:00] You vote for what’s important in your professional and personal life by where you allocate your time.
[19:35] What was Kimpton’s first leadership position like?
[26:15] What did Kimpton wish he had learned sooner about leadership?
[30:05] Most people aren’t listening; they’re reloading!
[30:35] What is Kimpton most proud of in his career?
[35:35] Kimpton is amazed that he gets paid to do this!
[37:25] Kimpton shares his experiences of being a minority in a predominantly white male field.
[47:00] What advice does Kimpton have for young folks out there?
[50:25] It’s okay to try and not succeed. If you never fail, you’re not trying hard enough.
[56:50] Kimpton offers a suggestion on how to better include diversity into the industry.
[1:08:10] The hard challenges you face today will make you a much better person and leader in the future.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Dr. Thomas Easley also known as the ‘Hip Hop Forester’ is an educator, musician, and entrepreneur. Thomas serves as the Assistant Dean of Community Inclusion at the Yale school of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Prior to this, Thomas was the Director of Community Diversity at NC State University, where he also earned his doctorate. On today’s show, Thomas discusses how he inspires his students to achieve, how he got into forestry, and brings up ways we as a profession can get better at inclusion and diversity.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:40] A quick intro to Thomas’s background.
[3:25] How did Thomas get into forestry and natural resources?
[11:30] It took someone who shared the same identity (race, gender, religion) as Thomas to show him how to treat people outside of his ethnic/social group.
[15:15] Thomas shares his journey on how he ended up getting his Masters degree in Forest Genetics.
[21:55] Thomas credits his teaching ability to his mom, who was also a teacher.
[25:20] What did Thomas teach prior to teaching at Yale?
[33:00] What is Thomas teaching currently?
[38:05] If you try to make changes too quickly or too aggressively, you’re going to be driving people away instead of getting supporters.
[41:05] Thomas believes Yale wants him to help them get to a more diverse place.
[46:45] What advice does Thomas have for young professionals?
[50:20] You gotta look inward sometimes to see where you can improve and be better. It’s important to take initiative and not rely solely on others to lift you up.
[51:30] What does the profession need to do better to increase more diversity in the profession?
[53:30] You can not change and grow while still staying the same. As an industry, we need to be open to growing.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Tweetables:
“If you can’t teach children, then you can’t teach. I watched my mom teach young kids who were brilliant but had a lot of family problems.”
“We all have voices and we’re using our voices.”
“When you really invest in diversity, equality, and inclusion, you’re going to be speaking multiple languages at one time.”
Sam Cook joins us once again on the Leadership Nature podcast! Sam is the Executive Director of Forest Assets at North Carolina State University’s College of Natural Resources. Sam has been involved in a wide variety of aspects in natural forestry — everything from government service and research to wildlife firefighting and teaching. On today’s show, Sam discusses the types of programs a student interested in forestry can enroll in, ways to introduce more diversity into the field, and so much more!
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:40] A quick intro to Sam’s background.
[5:25] How did Sam get into forestry and natural resources?
[9:50] What was the transition from Tuskegee University to North Carolina State University like?
[13:25] What’s the Outward Bound program all about?
[22:10] How does Sam begin to educate families on the importance of forestry and natural resources?
[26:25] Has Sam ever experienced professional barriers due to his color?
[34:00] Sam has a new scholarship program at Tuskegee to help bring in a more diverse set of people into forestry.
[37:50] It’s always been someone else’s job to do the right thing but in today’s landscape, people are doing more than just talking about diversity.
[40:30] What advice would Sam like to give young professionals?
[43:15] There are a lot of people out there willing to help but they’re not out there looking for you to be a mentee.
[46:24] What is MANRRS.org and how does it help students of color?
Mentioned in This Episode:
S1|E12: Sam Cook — “Young leaders today have to say no and engage teams”
Dr. Chris Davidson is the Director of Corporate Sustainability for WestRock Company. He is responsible for ensuring the company is a recognized global leader in sustainability and he leads the development of strategy, policy, goals, metrics, and reporting. With over 23 years of experience, Chris offers some words of advice for young people of color who have faced racism in the past and what aspiring forestry and natural resources professionals can do to get introduced into this field early in their career!
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:35] A quick intro about Chris’s background.
[3:10] How did Chris get into forestry and natural resources?
[5:45] Did Chris have culture shock when he first came to the U.S. for an education?
[7:35] What kinds of jobs did Chris have while he was studying?
[10:40] What types of responsibilities does Chris have as the Director of Corporate Sustainability?
[13:10] What was Chris’s first job after school?
[16:40] Chris explains what his first leadership role was like.
[18:45] Chris offers advice for young professionals who have to prove their worth to their older coworkers.
[21:00] Good leaders continue to be lifelong learners.
[21:40] What is Chris most proud of?
[27:20] Chris credits the diverse career opportunities he’s had to his ability to just be open and say ‘yes.’
[31:10] What has Chris’s experience been like as a professional and leader of color?
[34:00] If you change yourself to fit in, that’s not going to work for so long. It’s not sustainable.
[34:45] What kind of challenges has Chris overcome?
[37:00] You are who you are and you always just have to do your best.
[40:25] What can the profession do to become more diverse?
[48:15] Don’t get discouraged when you run into hardships! It is worth it to continue.
Mentioned in This Episode:
The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right, by Atul Gawande
Leslie Weldon is the Deputy Chief for Natural Forest System with the USDA Forest Service. In this role, she is the executive responsible for national policy and oversight and direction for Natural Resource programs. Leslie has always wanted to get into forestry and credits her time in the girl scouts in Japan for introducing her to the outdoors. Find out more about Leslie’s thoughts on leadership and key lessons she’s learned in her career on today’s show!
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:35] A quick intro about Leslie’s background.
[3:35] How did Leslie get into forestry and natural resources?
[8:35] While in university, she wasn’t able to get a forest service job until a couple of summers later. Leslie shares her experience of how she was able to get into forestry.
[15:35] Leslie was apart of a program called ‘Raise to the Future’ and describes what it was like to work with other federal agencies.
[18:50] What was it like being a District Ranger?
[25:55] What leadership lessons has Leslie learned over the years?
[31:45] Our changing climate has given the natural resources industry a wide range of challenges to solve.
[33:20] What is Leslie most proud of so far?
[38:25] Leslie’s family still isn’t 100% sure what she does for a living!
[41:00] What’s it like managing different levels of leadership roles?
[45:05] Turn your challenges into opportunities.
[49:15] Take some time to pause and reflect on your life and decisions. Make ‘time’ your friend.
Mentioned in This Episode:
US Forest Service: https://www.fs.fed.us
Rise to the Future Program: https://www.fs.fed.us/biology/fish/fish.html
Conservation Service Corps Programs: http://21csc.org
This is Vince Keeler’s second guest appearance! Welcome back, Vince. Since the last time we spoke, Vince has taken on a new position as the District Ranger on the Chickasawhay District in the Mississippi National Forest for the U.S. Forest Service. On today’s show, Vince discusses his new role and responsibilities, what it means to be a trailblazer and the importance of a support system that cares for you when you are serving in rural areas.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:40] A quick intro about Vince’s background.
[4:15] How did Vince get into forestry and natural resources?
[8:20] What does a District Ranger do and what kind of responsibilities do they have?
[9:20] What makes a job in forestry and natural resources so much fun?
[12:00] What kinds of places has Vince seen since taking on this new position?
[15:00] Vince has noticed that some people of color can be a bit fearful of joining a prominently all-white industry, but there’s more to people than the color of their skin.
[18:05] It’s not always about you, it’s about setting a good trail for the people behind you. Become a trailblazer!
[20:15] It can be lonely. Find a mentor or a friend to help guide you through it.
[26:45] Be open-minded when meeting new people. Find common ground and get to know the person.
[30:50] It’s a priceless experience that you can get to hike a mountain at work!
[33:25] There are so many different ways to make a career in forestry.
[38:10] What did Vince’s parents think about his choice to go into forestry?
[44:00] What’s it like being a minority leader? Vince shares some of his thoughts.
[48:55] Vince explains what he means by, “Be comfortable being uncomfortable.”
Mentioned in This Episode:
Travis Perry is a Registered Forester and is currently the Market Development Manager for Weyerhaeuser. He first got introduced to this career as a young teenager in high school and went on to finish his BS in Forest Resources Management at Clemson University, and later, his MBA at East Carolina University. Travis discusses some of the difficulties of being the only African American while he attended university, leadership lessons he’s learned over the years, and the challenges of including more minorities into the forestry field.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:35] A quick intro about Travis’s background.
[3:40] How did Travis get into forestry and natural resources?
[7:40] By going to camp, Travis was exposed to the importance of forestry and it introduced him to the profession at a young age.
[9:25] Travis shares his experience as the only African American at Clemson University.
[17:40] Because Travis was the only one, he had to work harder to prove his worth and capabilities due to having more eyes on him.
[20:45] The extra pressure taught Travis how to be a better leader and take situations like this as challenges to be better.
[29:10] When Travis goes back to Clemson, the talent that stands out the most are the students who really want to learn more about the profession.
[31:15] How did Travis make the transition into what he’s doing today?
[42:10] What has been the most fun about Travis’s career so far?
[50:15] Travis discusses some of the challenges of introducing more minorities to forestry.
[58:35] Why is Travis not a doctor or a lawyer or even an engineer?
[1:03:40] You gotta ask the hard questions and also be conscious of what those answers might mean.
Mentioned in This Episode:
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You,
by John C. Maxwell
Byron Hart is a Forester and Fire Expert for the U.S. Forest Service and serves as the Fire Management Officer on the Osceola National Forest in Florida. After graduating from Florida A&M University and the University of Florida, Byron got his start as a Forester Trainee in the Ocala National Forest and served in a number of fire positions. On the show, Byron discusses how he got introduced to forestry, some of the challenges of being a leader, and how to empower your staff so that they take ownership of their work.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:40] A quick intro about Byron’s background.
[3:25] How did Byron get into forestry and natural resources?
[6:25] How did Byron first learn about the forest service and pick a career path?
[12:30] What does the fire management position consist of?
[15:30] Byron shares the leadership experience you get when you join the fire service.
[17:25] What other types of career position has Byron taken on over the year?
[21:20] Forest service has a lot of different avenues you can explore.
[24:00] What is Byron most proud of in his career?
[26:45] Did Byron have any challenges while transitioning into a leadership role?
[30:15] What kind of mentors has Byron had over the years?
[31:44] How was Byron’s hotshot crew structured and what did they do?
[34:45] As a person of color, has Byron experienced any personal difficulties or challenges?
[36:50] How can the forest service be more proactive in attracting more diversity?
[39:30] Empower your employees by having them take pride and ownership in what they’re doing.
[42:00] What types of skills do people need to learn to be a good leader?
[45:45] Byron offers advice for young students looking to get into natural resources.
[49:45] Tell your story and tell people why the forest service makes you happy. It might inspire somebody to join!
[54:25] Lead from the heart and have passion for what you do.
Mentioned in This Episode:
LEAD... for God’s Sake! A Parable for Finding the Heart of Leadership, by Todd G. Gongwer
Tina Terrell has worked for the Forest Service over the last 34 years and is currently the Acting Associate Chief for Business Operations in the USDA Forest Service. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Forest Science from Penn State University. Growing up, Tina was actively discouraged from joining the natural resource profession. She offers advice on today’s show on how to overcome the naysayers and strive forward toward a career you’re passionate about.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:35] A quick intro about Tina’s background.
[4:25] How did Tina get into forestry and natural resources?
[6:50] When she told her people she wanted to be in natural resources, they actively discouraged her from it.
[13:45] Tina discusses what determination means to her and why she has the drive that she has.
[19:00] Be a sponge. Don’t be afraid to question and learn from everything.
[22:35] What advice does Tina have for other people of color who have been actively discouraged to pursue their passion?
[29:20] Tina shares some wisdom that she had learned from one of her teachers.
[31:50] Don’t let other people put boulders in front of you. You can do it!
[32:25] Has Tina ever been the ‘first and only’ female person of color in her career path?
[39:25] Tina discusses the kind of legacy she hopes to leave behind.
[49:50] What has been the most fun about Tina’s career so far?
[59:30] Through Tina’s work with Job Corps, their facilities now have a natural resource connection at all 25 centers, which helps students get introduced to the importance of forestry and natural resources.
[1:02:55] Tina offers advice for students still on the fence about joining the forest service.
[1:10:15] Tina recommends some of her favorite forestry books.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Dr. Zakiya Leggett is a professor at North Carolina State University and College of Natural Resources. She currently teaches Introduction to Environmental Science and serves as the campus director for the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars program, which trains undergraduate students that are interested in research experiences in conservation issues as well as encouraging diversity in those fields. On the show, Zakiya shares her experiences as a sustainability scientist, her thoughts on including more diversity in the profession, and important advice to young students looking for a mentor or teacher.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:35] A quick intro about Zakiya’s background.
[4:40] How did Zakiya get into natural resources?
[9:40] What does Zakiya mean when she ‘groomed herself’ for research?
[12:45] After Zakiya finished her Ph.D., she found that the Forest Service did not have any available opportunities for her at the time.
[14:40] What has been the most fun about Zakiya’s career so far?
[16:00] When does a student really ‘know’ they have a sustainable career path?
[18:45] Zakiya shares some of the ways you can shadow and learn from someone.
[21:05] What kinds of challenges has Zakiya run into?
[26:45] Is the profession making progress when it comes to diversity and more inclusion of other races and ethnicities?
[30:05] Students have options and if they see a leadership team that doesn’t reflect their values, they will look elsewhere.
[32:15] What advice does Zakiya have for young students?
[36:30] Zakiya shares her experience mentoring young students in the profession.
[41:55] It’s important to be proud of your achievements and accomplishments and to be able to articulate them into a resume, even if you only worked at a location for a week.
[47:30] Leaders know when to follow and when to lead!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Ron Smith is a forester, teacher, pastor, and a leader. Ron has served as a Forester, District Ranger, and Administration Staff Officer (to name a few) during his 30+ years of being in the Forest Service and now serves as the Director of Forestry Natural Resources for Tuskegee University. On today’s show, Ron shares his extensive experience of guiding and leading young students into the forestry field, how to navigate today’s political climate when it comes to introducing more diversity into the industry, and shares some rewarding experiences he’s had while in the Forest Service.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:35] A quick intro about Ron’s background.
[3:05] How did Ron get into natural resources?
[8:45] After 30 years, what kinds of things did Ron do for the Forest Service?
[11:35] What was Ron’s first leadership position like?
[16:35] People might see the environmental groups as a negative aspect of the job, but Ron believes since they’re members of the public, they should still be treated with respect.
[19:15] How can you ‘posture’ yourself effectively as a public servant?
[28:15] What’s been the most fun or challenging part of Ron’s career so far?
[36:00] How can the forestry industry make it more welcoming for people of color?
[44:30] Do people of color see this profession — this line of outdoor work — negatively?
[51:55] Ron recommends a couple of must-read books!
Mentioned in This Episode:
The Greening of America, by Charles A. Reich
The Autobiography of Malcolm X, by Malcolm X
Alton Perry is the Program Manager and Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Consultant for Roanoke Electric Cooperative, where he does outreach to African American forest landowners on land retention and building family wealth through forest management. Prior to this, Alton retired from the North Carolina Forest Service after 30 years of work.
On the show, Alton shares how he became so diverse in his career, everything from being a certified arborist, providing wildfire training, urban forestry, and more! Alton is the perfect example that you will find something you love in this field, and pick up a diverse set of skills along the way!
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:40] A quick intro about Alton’s background.
[3:10] How did Alton get into natural resources?
[6:10] What is the difference between a four year or two year university program?
[9:15] What was Alton’s first job in North Carolina Forest Service?
[13:30] Alton shares what his first leadership experience was like.
[17:25] What does it mean to be a certified arborist?
[19:25] There are tons of diverse jobs in forestry that you can take on.
[23:25] Alton shares a bit of history as to why so many African Americans have experienced land-loss.
[29:10] How is the forest service so organized and able to move teams of firefighters to different state agencies during an emergency?
[34:45] What has challenged Alton the most in his career?
[36:55] Alton shares his thoughts on why it’s been difficult to attract more diversity into the natural resources industry.
[41:10] Who have been Alton’s mentors over the years?
[46:15] Explore, have an open mind, and create your own path in your life.
[50:35] Remember, each person brings different gifts to the table and it’s up to you, as the leader, to manage those gifts.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Dr. Stacy Nelson is a professor in the College of Natural Resource Center for Geospatial Analytics at NC State University. Prior to this, Stacy was a NASA Graduate Research Fellow at the John C Stennis Space Center and an Adjunct Professor for the Department of Math and Science at Lansing Community College. Stacy’s research primarily focuses on the use of remote sensing and GIS technologies to address questions of land use and land cover change on aquatic systems. On today’s show, Stacy demonstrates why he’s so passionate about the field of work he is in, the promising and optimistic things he sees in our younger generation, and he also explains how there is tons of growth and opportunity in natural resources.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:45] A quick intro about Stacy’s background.
[3:35] How did Stacy get into natural resources?
[12:15] Stacy highlights the importance of having mentors in your life to help push you into new fields of interests.
[15:45] Did Stacy have to overcome a lot of challenges while in the natural resource field?
[19:55] How did Stacy discover GIS technology and become specialized in that?
[21:55] As a man of color, Stacy believes we still have a long way to go when it comes to diversity.
[26:45] What keeps young children motivated and engaged when Stacy comes in to talk about natural resources?
[29:25] Stacy shares a quick story about what he does and how engaged people can get when it comes to a topic like fish!
[37:25] What do natural resource professionals need to learn sooner about people and managing people?
[40:45] What does Stacy think about the next generation that will be coming into natural resources?
[44:35] We are seeing more and more women join graduate programs in natural resources, but we still need to be doing a better job.
[48:15] There's so much room for opportunity and growth in natural resources/forestry that the field can cater to literally any passion you might have about nature.
Mentioned in This Episode: