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Who We Are

Board & Staff

2025 Officers

  • Jessi Pollard, President
    Jessi Pollard, President

    Forestry and Right of Way Services
    Utility Arborist / Jonesboro, Smyrna, Columbus
    ISA-Certified Arborist
    Georgia Power Company
    470-279-0351

  • Matt Carpenter-President Elect
    Matt Carpenter-President Elect

    Local Manager, ISA-Certified Arborist
    Bartlett Tree Experts
    Tucker, Georgia 30085
    770-496-9848

  • Matt Malament, Treasurer
    Matt Malament, Treasurer

    Head of Strategy, Projects & Analytics
    InterContinental Hotels Group
    Atlanta
    770-604-2000

  • Meghan Hemingway, Secretary
    Meghan Hemingway, Secretary

    Consulting Arborist
    Arborguard Tree Specialists
    Atlanta
    470-436-7795

  • Robert Seamans, Past-President
    Robert Seamans, Past-President

    Assistant Director, Public Works
    Bulloch County
    Statesboro, Georgia
    912-764-6245

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.

Directors

  • Sandra DeWitt
    Sandra DeWitt

    Arborist
    City of Milton
    678-242-2552

  • Maurice Coley
    Maurice Coley

    Statesboro, GA

  • Ava Dixon
    Ava Dixon

    Parks Project Coordinator
    Trees Columbus
    Columbus
    706-507-8224

  • Taryn Heidel
    Taryn Heidel

    Arboricultural Manager
    ISA-Certified Arborist
    City of Atlanta

  • Jwana Washington
    Jwana Washington

    Executive Director
    Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful
    229-449-2569

  • Ernest Watson
    Ernest Watson

    Urban Forestry Superintendent
    ISA-Certified Arborist
    City of Rome
    706-236-4585

  • Stone Nicholson
    Stone Nicholson

    Consulting Utility Arborist
    Tifton, GA
    Snicholson@stallions.abac.edu

  • Sam Smith
    Sam Smith

    Urban and Community Forestry Specialist
    Georgia Forestry Commission
    Cell: (478) 342-2364
    ISA Municipal Specialist SO-2502AM ISA TRAQ
    ssmith@gfc.state.ga.us

  • Jason Gordon
    Jason Gordon

    Associate Professor of Community Forestry
    UGA Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources
    470-252-6879

Ex Officio

  • Seth Hawkins
    Seth Hawkins

    Urban and Community Forester Program Coordinator
    ISA-Certified Arborist
    Georgia Forestry Commission
    Rome
    478-951-8286

  • Lindsay Neumann
    Lindsay Neumann

    U&CF Partnership Coordinator
    Georgia Forestry Commission
    Dry Branch, Georgia
    478-874-9139

Staff

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