The new face of Georgia Forestry
GFC Director Chuck
Williams continues path
of public service
By Uyen Le Schneider
C
huck Williams’ career
as Director of the
Georgia Forestry
Commission may have
officially started in September, but
his interest, work and knowledge of
natural resources, forestry and the
environment has been lifelong.
“The Forestry Commission was
far from being a foreign entity to
me when this opportunity came
about,” said Williams.
Over the last 10 to 15 years,
Williams’ relationship with the
commission has developed and
grown through his interactions as a
customer and as a member of the
GFC Board of Directors. Williams
said he had never considered
applying for the position until
someone nominated him after
former GFC Director Robert
Farris retired in May. But, he was
even more surprised when his
nomination was approved.
“I’m a little bit of a nontraditional
choice. Traditionally, the
new director of the Forestry
Commission, whenever that job
becomes vacant, would typically
be a career employee that came
up through the ranks.”
He believes the board’s break
from tradition was due to his vision
and goals for the agency. Williams
plans to take more of an external
role as director of GFC and will
hire a deputy director to oversee
the day-to-day internal workings.
Williams’ external role will focus
on economic development, markets
for timber, and collaborating with
other state and federal agencies.
“I really tip my hat to my
predecessors and directors of
agencies that have had to do both
jobs at one time, both the internal
and external,” said Williams.
Williams’ goal for GFC on
a micro basis is to support the
agency’s mission to protect and
manage Georgia’s forestry
sources, which entails the
protection of Georgia trees against
natural disasters like fire, infections
and windstorms. This also means
working with land owners to ensure
Georgia has healthy forests that
contribute to the state’s economic
well-being. On a macro basis,
William believes the agency not
only serves forest landowners, but
all citizens in Georgia.
“Whether you’re a forest
landowner or not, forestry provides
assets to every Georgian in the
form of clean air, clean water,
wildlife habitat, aesthetics and
recreation — a lot of things where
you don’t have to own the land to
benefit from it,” said Williams.
From his standpoint, today’s
forestry industry is not just about
growing trees commercially for
timber and forestry products. It’s
also about providing a clean and
sustainable environment for all
Georgians.
Georgia has 24.1 million acres
of commercial timberlands, more
than any other state in the nation.
Williams says his goal is to keep
Georgia as number one.
“Some states might argue
with us, but I think Georgia can
rightfully lay claim to being the
number one forestry state in the
nation. My goals and objectives
for the Forestry Commission are
pretty simple: the number one
forestry state in the nation deserves
the number one state forestry
agency.”
Prior to joining GFC, Williams
served in the Georgia State
Legislature starting in 2011 when
he was elected to represent District
119 – Watkinsville. During his
tenure as state representative,
Williams served on the agriculture
and consumer affairs and the
natural resources and environment
committees, making him no
stranger to the forestry industry.
Williams is excited about his
new role and looks forward to
continuing to serve Georgia
citizens. With his broad
background, his goals and vision
for the agency will reap statewide
benefits.
DISPATCH