Leadership

The White Oak Initiative thrives under the direction and guidance of a passionate team committed to the long-term sustainability of our white oak ecosystems.

Each member of our diverse leadership team is pivotal in shaping our strategic direction and ensuring we stay rooted in our mission. They work collaboratively across sectors to ensure that the White Oak Initiative is as effective as possible in our work to ensure sustainable oak forest management and white oak regeneration.

Board of Directors

  • Elizabeth Wise, Chair*

    Chief Global Government Relations and Public Affairs Officer, Sazerac Company

  • Chris Erwin, Treasurer*

    Executive Vice President, Alabama Forestry Foundation

  • Rob Farrell, Secretary*

    State Forester, Virginia Department of Forestry

  • Kyle Day

    Senior Manager of Forest and Field Sustainability, Suntory Global Spirits

  • Candace Dinwiddie

    Executive Director, Tennessee Forestry Association 

  • Alex Finkral

    President and CEO, Eastwood Forests

  • Barbara Hurt*

    Executive Director, Dendrifund

  • Tom Inman

    President, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc.

  • Doug Little

    Director of Conservation Operations East, National Wild Turkey Federation

  • William Martin

    Executive Vice President of Business Innovation, American Forest Foundation

  • Garret Nowell

    Log Procurement Manager, Independent Stave Company

  • Aaron Plaugher

    Fiber Sustainability Manager, WestRock

  • Alex Richman

    Chief Operating Officer, Cumberland Springs Land Company

  • Greg Roshkowski

    Vice President and General Manager of Brown-Forman Cooperage, Brown-Forman

  • Jeffrey Stringer*

    Chairman of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Kentucky

  • Scott Taylor

    Co-Owner, Elk Cave Farm

*Member of executive committee

Members of the White Oak Initiative Board of Directors, government liaisons and staff at a board meeting in 2024.

Members of the White Oak Initiative Board of Directors, Government Liaisons and Staff

Government Liaisons

  • Susan Ellsworth

    USDA Forest Service

  • Kyle Jones

    USDA Forest Service

  • Martin Lowenfish

    USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

  • Cotton Randall

    USDA Forest Service

  • Kay Reed

    USDA Forest Service

  • Matthew Vandersande

    USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Staff

Interested in working with us?

Please check for job openings as we continue to expand our work and our team.