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Board & Staff

Board & Staff

Board of Directors

2021 OFFICERS

  • Terry Paige
    Terry Paige

    President
    Retired, Municipal Arborist
    City of Rome
    706-506-3552

  • David Shostak, President-Elect
    David Shostak, President-Elect

    City Arborist
    City of Alpharetta
    678-297-6229

  • Mary Hardin Thornton
    Mary Hardin Thornton

    Treasurer
    Special Services Manager
    Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation
    706-291-0766

  • Jessie McClellan
    Jessie McClellan

    Secretary
    Office Manager / Minister of Culture
    New Urban Forestry
    Athens
    706-424-0047

  • Susan Russell
    Susan Russell

    Past-President
    Consulting Arborist
    City of Jefferson
    706-201-7893

The Board manages the affairs of the organization, and board members are the ultimate stewards of Georgia Tree Council's mission, programs and policies. Board members are expected to attend the four Quarterly educational programs (the 4th meeting the Annual Conference) in addition to Board Meetings approximately 2 weeks prior to the regular meetings. Board members are also ambassadors of the organization, representing the Georgia Tree Council and its programs throughout Georgia and bringing new members and constituents to our group. The organization’s standing committees include Executive, Finance, Nominations, Membership, Governance and Educational. Other committees include Annual Awards,  Landmark & Historic Trees, Annual Conference Committee, Georgia ReLeaf,and the Campus Tree Canopy Conference. Typically, these committees are chaired by board members, though others may serve on them as well.  Election to the board is an opportunity to participate on the front line of community forestry in Georgia.

2021 DIRECTORS

  • Alex Ballard
    Alex Ballard

    SCFP Community Forester
    Georgia Forestry Commission
    Statesboro
    478-342-2364

  • Jamie Blackburn
    Jamie Blackburn

    Manager of Sales, Marketing, and Business Development
    Arborguard Tree Specialists
    Avondale Estates
    866-916-2758

  • Thomas Brown, PLA, ASLA, CLARB
    Thomas Brown, PLA, ASLA, CLARB

    Landscape Architect
    W.M. Whitaker & Associates Landscape Architects
    Marietta
    423-551-3800

  • Holly Campbell
    Holly Campbell

    Public Service Assistant
    Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources
    University of Georgia
    Athens
    706-542-3277

  • Lea Clark
    Lea Clark

    Master's Student
    Urban and Community Forestry
    University of Georgia
    Athens

  • Michael Glisson
    Michael Glisson

    Director, Parks and Beautification
    County Forester
    Macon-Bibb County
    478-733-2678

  • Brent Levy
    Brent Levy

    Division Director of Forestry, Parks,
    and Environmental Services
    City of Tybee Island
    912-344-6707

  • Matt Malament
    Matt Malament

    Director, Global Strategy Category
    InterContinental Hotels Group
    Atlanta
    770-604-2000

  • Yeliann Montanez
    Yeliann Montanez

    Attorney-Advisor
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Atlanta
    470-370-5213

  • Jessica Pollard
    Jessica Pollard

    Forestry and Right of Way Services
    Utility Arborist / Atlanta Area
    Georgia Power Company
    470-279-0351

  • Dan Whitehead
    Dan Whitehead

    Owner, HortSource
    Lincolnton
    706-990-9759

  • Mark Wiles
    Mark Wiles

    Certified Arborist, Registered Forester
    Wiles Forest Management
    Elberton
    706-988-6856

EX OFFICIO

  • Seth Hawkins
    Seth Hawkins

    SCFP Community Forester
    Georgia Forestry Commission
    Athens
    478-951-8286

  • Joan Scales
    Joan Scales

    Sustainable Community Forestry Program Manager, Georgia Forestry Commission, Athens
    478-733-2604

  • Mary Lynne Beckley
    Mary Lynne Beckley

    Executive Director, Stone Mountain
    470-210-5900