Southern Group of State Foresters has a new Executive Director
Wib Owen is the new Southern Group of State Foresters' Executive Director
The Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Wib Owen to the position of Executive Director for SGSF. Prior to his appointment, Owen completed a 34-year career with state government including positions as Assistant Commissioner and State Forester with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the N.C. Forest Service. He also served as a Wildlife Section Manager with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
As North Carolina State Forester, Owen was responsible for the direction of programs and services for protecting, managing and conserving forest resources. He collaborated with numerous organizations and institutions as well as coordinated the U.S. Forest Service Cooperative Forestry Assistance programs. Owen also provided oversight for the development of the first North Carolina Forest Action Plan as authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill.
Owen has served in numerous capacities with the Southern Group of State Foresters and National Association of State Foresters, including Executive committee leadership and technical committee participation on forest science and health, market development, geographic information systems and the National Wildland Fire Leadership Council. He was a long-standing member of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Forest Technical Committee, also serving as chairman. He has received numerous awards and recognitions including North Carolina Forest Conservationist of the Year, Tree Farm National Award of Excellence and Natural Resource Agency of the Year.
“Wib brings a wide range of expertise, experience, and management skills that will greatly benefit the mission of SGSF and the advancement of public forestry programs,” said Linda Casey, Alabama State Forester and Chair of SGSF.
Owen will assume duties as Executive Director in early November, 2012. Until then please contact Mike Countess (mike.countess@tn.gov), Policy Analyst, SGSF for any assistance or questions.
