Georgia Forestry Association (GFA) Board Member, Chuck Williams, was announced as director of the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). Williams is a landowner in Oconee County and has been a longtime supporter of Georgia’s thriving forestry industry during his tenure in Georgia’s House of Representatives since 2011.
“We are pleased to see another strong champion for forestry has been selected to lead the Georgia Forestry Commission,” said GFA President Andres Villegas. “As a forest landowner and GFA Board member, Chuck Williams has demonstrated his passion and commitment to forestry time and again. I look forward to working with him to continue ensuring Georgia is the number one forestry state in the nation.”
As a state legislator representing district 119 (Watkinsville/Oconee County area), Chuck Williams was a strong advocate for legislation that supported GFA’s core principles of private property rights, sensible taxes and regulation, and healthy markets. As a member of the House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee and the House Natural Resources & Environment Committee, Williams has been a strong voice for working forests. In 2014, Williams acted to protect tree farmers by being the lead sponsor of HB 790 which gave GFC law enforcement the authority to investigate cases of timber theft.
Chuck Williams will continue uphold the mission of GFC, ‘To provide leadership, service and education in the protection and conservation of Georgia’s forest resources.’
Deal announces Georgia Forestry Commission director
Gov. Nathan Deal today announced Chuck Williams as director of the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). Williams’ nomination was approved by the commission earlier this month and takes effect Sept. 1. The vacancy was created when former GFC Director Robert Farris retired in May.
“Chuck Williams is a dedicated public servant and an effective leader who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to forest management and sustainable forestry,” said Deal. “As a forest landowner, Chuck has a keen understanding of the forestry community in our state and country. His years of service on the GFC Board of Directors, coupled with his extensive background in economics, make him uniquely qualified to lead GFC as it provides leadership, service and education in the protection and conservation of Georgia’s forest resources. Georgia’s 24.1 million acres of commercial timberlands, more than any other state in the nation, offer a number of benefits to our citizens, from clean air and water to wildlife habitats, products and jobs. I am confident that under Chuck’s guidance, GFC will continue to provide critical support of Georgia’s timberlands and help to solidify our status as a top state for forestry.”
Chuck Williams
Williams has represented the 119th District in the Georgia House of Representatives since August 2011. He has held leadership roles on various committees, including Agriculture and Consumer Affairs and Natural Resources and Environment. Williams was named as Georgia’s Tree Farmer of the Year in 2005 in recognition of his passion for forestry and stewardship of the land. He has served in leadership positions for many forestry and agricultural organizations, including the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Georgia Forestry Association, the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the Georgia Agribusiness Council. Williams also has experience in banking and financial services. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Georgia. Williams and his wife, Beth, live in Oconee County.
Jen Talaber Ryan
Alyssa Botts