Page 23 - Georgia Forestry - Winter2017

Brought to you by the Georgia Forestry Foundation
Forestry Foundation Welcomes New Executive Director
SECURING THE FUTURE OF
GEORGIA
The Georgia Forestry Association is pleased to announce that Ember Bishop Bentley will begin serving as the Executive Director of the Georgia Forestry
Foundation (GFF), effective February 1, 2017. GFF seeks to secure a sustainable future for Georgia’s 22 million acres of working forests.
Ember comes to the Foundation from the Georgia Department of Economic Development where she was the Deputy Commissioner for International Relations. Prior to that she served as the Chief of Staff to Georgia’s First Lady, Sandra Deal. Ember will lead the Foundation’s fundraising effort and will oversee the growth of new programs in leadership, policy studies, education and communications. She will report to Georgia Forestry Association CEO Andres Villegas.
“Over the past year, we have been transitioning the Association to help us meet the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing state,” said Villegas. “We have a focus to make sure that Georgia, as the number one forestry state in the nation, also has the top forestry association and foundation in the nation. The addition of Ember marks an important milestone for forestry in Georgia and supports our pursuit of excellence.”
As the Foundation continues to grow and change over the next year, visit gaforestryfoundation.org or reach out to Ember via email at ember@gfagrow.org.
“I am honored and excited to lead this new chapter of the Foundation. The
role will allow me to leverage my personal and professional experiences, relationships and love of the outdoors toward a sustainable future for the forestry community.”
- Ember Bishop Bentley
In 2016, the Georgia Forestry Foundation redefined its strategic focus to adapt to the challenges facing our state.
Stay tuned for more information on the Foundation and its role in securing the future of Georgia.
Learn more: gaforestryfoundation.org