Seasoned Forestry Expert and Advocate to Lead Georgia’s Top Forestry Organizations
SAVANNAH, GA, August 9, 2024 —Today at the Georgia Forestry Association’s (GFA) Annual Conference & Forestry Expo in Savannah, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to endorse Tim Lowrimore as the new President and CEO of the Association and the Georgia Forestry Foundation. Lowrimore, who currently serves as the State Forester for the Georgia Forestry Commission, will step into the new role on October 1, 2024.
Lowrimore is a registered forester whose career spans the entire forestry supply chain. His extensive experience gives him a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing landowners, loggers, and forest product manufacturers in Georgia. Tim’s first-hand knowledge of the industry ensures that GFA and GFF are well-equipped to address the evolving needs of Georgia’s forestry community.
“We are pleased to have identified the next leader of the Association and Foundation,” stated Zach Johnson, GFA’s 2024 Chairman and Vice President of Supply Chain at Beasley Forest Products. “We are confident that Tim has the experience, skill and drive to continue growing GFA and ensuring that we remain the #1 forestry state in the nation.”
Throughout his career, Lowrimore has demonstrated his passion and leadership as a champion for Georgia’s working forests and the entire forestry supply chain. He most recently served as Director and State Forester for the Georgia Forestry Commission, after being appointed by Governor Brian Kemp in January 2021. In that capacity, Lowrimore led the commission through a strategic leadership change in order to improve the performance and efficiency of the Agency in service to Georgia’s forest landowners. In addition, he advocated in support of the modernization of equipment and increased funding for personnel to support forest ranger recruitment and retention.
“I worked at GFA early in my career, and I have always had such tremendous respect for this association and the commitment it has to excellence. In many ways this feels like I’m coming back home.” said Lowrimore, who served as Director of Forest Policy from 2003 to 2008. “Following a great leader like Andres Villegas is an honor. The opportunity to continue supporting the work of the association in this new role is a dream of a lifetime.”
His background as a leader of a state agency and the private sector in government affairs provides him with a unique blend of relationships and insights that will strengthen GFA’s advocacy efforts. Under his leadership, GFA will continue to champion the interests of Georgia’s forestry sector by protecting private property rights, encouraging sensible taxes and regulation and championing healthy markets for forestry in Georgia.
Building on more than a decade of ambitious work, GFA and GFF are well-positioned to maintain Georgia’s standing as the nation’s leading forestry state. Together, GFA and GFF will continue to support the growth of the forestry sector as a leading solution for Georgia’s economic and environmental future. Lowrimore will succeed Andres Villegas as President & CEO, who served in the role since October 2015.
“We have built the leading forestry advocacy program in the country,” stated Andres Villegas, GFA’s President & CEO since 2015. “I look forward to Tim’s leadership continuing to grow our organization’s impact for the benefit of our 22 million acres of working forests and the 143,000 Georgians who depend on them for their livelihood.”
Villegas will officially step down as President & CEO on August 15. In the period of time between his departure and October 1, Senior Vice President Matt Hestad will resume leadership of the organization in close communication with GFA Chairman Zach Johnson and the GFA Executive Committee.
About the Georgia Forestry Association:
Since 1907, the Georgia Forestry Association has served as the premiere advocate for a healthy business environment for Georgia’s 22 million acres of working forests and the 143,000 Georgians who depend on them. Learn more at www.gfagrow.org.
About the Georgia Forestry Foundation:
The Georgia Forestry Foundation is dedicated to maximizing working forests as a solution to our state and nation’s greatest challenges while reconnecting youth and adults to the land. GFF was established in 1989 as a 501c3 education and outreach arm of the Georgia Forestry Association. Learn more at www.gffgrow.org.
Congratulations Tim! We had a group in savannah this last weekend and gary commented on how long we have known you! since insurance needs with davis and garvey and beach timber was in it’s early growing stages for sure. this is a great position for your talents and positive outlook.
i have a suggestion to you and your committees (a name) to consider for award time someday and can certainly write the history of his contributions and support of gfa and georgia forestry commission work in timber management of course. Beach Timber Company inc is in it’s 40th year this year and with acquisiton of ace pole company earlier, has grown trememdously in the impact on forestry from the different point of view- manufacturing not agriculture- although we are tree farmers and landowners and in the logging industry as well. please let us know if there is interest for future acknowledgements.