Professor, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science
- PhD, Forest Management, University of Georgia
- MS, Forest Biometrics, University of Georgia
- BS, Biology, Eastern Montana College
Helping improve profitability
My research involves using operations research/management science methods to improve decision making in forest ecosystem management. I have focused on theoretical and applied aspects of the use of quantitative models to facilitate decision making in forest management. The theoretical work focused primarily on the ramifications of using imprecise data in decision making models. The primary focus of my more applied research was converting hardwood stems into logs of the greatest possible value using optimal bucking technologies. This work showed that very large improvements in revenue could be realized if log buckers could learn to better place their cuts. We have developed a training program to help hardwood log buckers improve value recovery that includes defect identification, grading and scaling rules, and rules-of-thumb to produce more valuable logs. Please visit the .Hardwood Bucking web site for more information. Current projects include hardwood log quality, sugar maple defect healing, and supply chain management for a proposed cellulosic ethanol plant.
I feel strongly that our students need to develop their problem solving skills, integrating all the relevant information and data to reach sound and defensible solutions.I try to make development of these skills the focus of my classes.
I am the coordinator of the Master of Forestry (MF) program, which is a professional graduate degree that allows students who have performed well at the undergraduate level in another field to change to a forestry career. This program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). Visit Master of Forestry for more information.