Southern Group of State Foresters Welcomes New Leadership

Southeastern U.S. – The Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) has welcomed a new team of officers to serve on its governing Executive Committee for the 2022/23 year.

Mark Goeller, Oklahoma State Forester, will will chair the SGSF Executive Committee. As the State Forester for Oklahoma Forestry Services, Goeller is responsible for the leading forestry and wildland fire protection statewide. In addition, Goeller serves in several other state, regional and national leadership roles.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to support our fellow southern state forestry agencies as Chair of SGSF,” said Goeller. “I am looking forward to a great year of partnership as we work together to tackle key issues and topics such as supporting our private forest landowner base, forest conservation, wildfire response and mitigation, forest-climate solutions, workforce challenges and more.”  

SGSF also welcomed David Arnold, Tennessee State Forester as Vice Chair and Russell Bozeman, Mississippi State forester as Treasurer. Rob Farrell, Virginia State Forester will continue to serve on the committee as Past Chair to provide historical perspective and continuity. Collectively, the Executive Committee will act and decide matters on behalf of SGSF.

About the Southern Group of State Foresters

The Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation representing state forestry agencies within the 13 southeastern United States, and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. SGSF members collectively provide leadership, coordination, expertise and resources to sustain the economic, environmental, health and societal benefits of southern forests. This includes the delivery of regional support needed to address existing and emerging issues related to sustainable forest management, forest health, water resources, urban and community forestry, forest product markets, wildfire protection, conservation education and disaster response.