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
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Elizabeth Wise, Chair*
Chief Global Government Relations and Public Affairs Officer, Sazerac Company
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Chris Erwin, Treasurer*
Executive Vice President, Alabama Forestry Foundation
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Rob Farrell, Secretary*
State Forester, Virginia Department of Forestry
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Kyle Day
Senior Manager of Forest and Field Sustainability, Suntory Global Spirits
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Candace Dinwiddie
Executive Director, Tennessee Forestry Association
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Alex Finkral
President and CEO, Eastwood Forests
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Barbara Hurt*
Executive Director, Dendrifund
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Tom Inman
President, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc.
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Doug Little
Director of Conservation Operations East, National Wild Turkey Federation
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William Martin
Executive Vice President of Business Innovation, American Forest Foundation
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Garret Nowell
Log Procurement Manager, Independent Stave Company
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Aaron Plaugher
Fiber Sustainability Manager, WestRock
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Alex Richman
Chief Operating Officer, Cumberland Springs Land Company
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Greg Roshkowski
Vice President and General Manager of Brown-Forman Cooperage, Brown-Forman
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Jeffrey Stringer*
Chairman of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Kentucky
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Scott Taylor
Co-Owner, Elk Cave Farm
*Member of executive committee
Members of the White Oak Initiative Board of Directors, Government Liaisons and Staff
Government Liaisons
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Susan Ellsworth
USDA Forest Service
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Kyle Jones
USDA Forest Service
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Martin Lowenfish
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
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Cotton Randall
USDA Forest Service
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Kay Reed
USDA Forest Service
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Matthew Vandersande
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Staff
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Jason Meyer
Executive Director
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Jamie Lewis Hedges
Network Manager
Interested in working with us?
Please check for job openings as we continue to expand our work and our team.