Athens, Ga. – Two of the forest industry’s top leaders have been elected the chairman and vice-chairman of the advisory committee for the University of Georgia’s Center for Forest Business. William F. “Bill” Miller and Pete Madden will serve three-year terms in the chair and vice-chair positions, respectively.
The Center for Forest Business, located in UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, pioneers academic research and sound financial methods, providing education and service to the forest industry, investors and landowners throughout the world.
Center director Bob Izlar said Miller and Madden’s leadership is a coup for the center.
“It is a pleasure to have individuals with the broad range of experience Bill and Pete bring to the leadership of the Center for Forest Business advisory committee,” Izlar said. “The center’s faculty and graduate students will benefit greatly from their combined years of experience and leadership.
“As the center becomes known as the world’s premier academic setting for forest business management, Bill and Pete will be able to provide sound guidance to the center’s future activities.”
UGA alumnus Miller is currently vice president of forest operations with F&W Forestry Services Inc. He began his career with Union Camp Corporation and, over 27 years, served in positions of increasing responsibility, including region manager and director of wood procurement. After the business’s merger with International Paper in 1999, Miller served as southeast region manager before retiring in 2005.
Miller is a past president and current board member of the Georgia Forestry Association and board member with the Forest Resources Association and a member of the Forest Landowners Association and the state forestry associations of Georgia, South Carolina and Florida.
“I look forward to serving on this important committee, which is loaded with top-quality professionals,” Miller said. “That makes my responsibility as chairman a pleasure.”
Madden is vice president of Plum Creek’s renewable energy and supply chain, overseeing the company’s renewable energy activities. He also is responsible for logistics and supply chain management. He first joined Plum Creek in 2001 as a senior financial analyst and has held several key positions with the timberland company over his career.
Madden began his forestry career with Westvaco Corporation in South Carolina in 1988, moving to the Georgia-Pacific Corporation in 1992. He serves on several association committees and board of directors.
“This committee is a strong example of successful collaboration between public academia, the forest industry and private landownership in Georgia,” Madden said.