Page 14 - Tree Line - North Carolina Forestry Association - Third Quarter 2020

the management of land.
From tree planting to fertilization
and site preparation, every operation on company lands is monitored and data is tracked and collected. Merchantable stands are evaluated every five years and over 5,000 acres of inventory are being cruised annually. The amount of data involved
has exceeded the storage of the current custom-based system. The company is
now moving towards a web-based system, which will allow the forestry team to access data throughout the state on any device. Recognizing this will be a change for many land management companies of similar size, Miller stated that Jordan Lumber has been at the forefront of applying creative data solutions. “Now is the time to step it up, be accessible and have better storage,” he said.
Working as a Team
Bruce Evans recognizes the need to
build relationships and spend time with
his people. This includes his team of procurement foresters and the 15 logging crews currently working for Jordan. “People are our biggest asset and biggest liability. Trees are easy,” said Evans, knowing that the decisions made by individuals can make big impacts. So how do you create a cohesive team when foresters are spread across multiple counties? “[We] spend a lot of
time with those individuals and learn what makes them tick,” he said.
Whether working separately or together, Evans and Miller emphasize the collabo-
rative efforts of the department. “It’s the forestry department, and we are all one big family,” Evans said.
“We work together. Many of our jobs cross paths,” Miller said. “Whether we are logging on company land, buying land, whatever needs to be done, we help each other out.”
The team is made up of foresters, tech- nicians and equipment operators with de- grees from North Carolina State Universi- ty, Clemson and Montgomery Community College. Many of the professionals joined Jordan Lumber right out of school and have been with the company for decades. When asked what they look for in an employee, Miller and Evans both agreed they need individuals who are self-starters, self-motivated and curious.
Evans encourages input from all members of his staff. When purchasing tracts, he noted, you only get one chance
to impress the seller. “Each member of procurement staff submits a timber appraisal. More than one set of eyes can see different things. You may see things I missed. We try to get as much input as we can,” said Evans. Based on individuals’ observations, the staff creates one bid in a unified team effort.
When asked what makes his team successful, Evans credits his group’s work ethic and cohesiveness. “We do things a bit unconventional,” he said. “We hit a tract with three or four people. In a short time, we are finished with the field work. We have a lot to do and we need to keep
moving. Accuracy is important, but so is success. We get a grade on every tract we buy. You pay x dollars for a tract, you better get x dollars back.”
Proud Logging Force
Procurement staff work closely with logging crews to merchandize the most value from the timber in a stand and reinforce best management practices. For loggers, that means being trained to look at trees as
a forester would. Each crew is expected
to clearcut and thin both company timberlands and private tracts, which Evans said has been a great advantage: “If your time comes up to move to a new tract and pulpwood markets are open, then you are going to a thinning.”
Miller added, “Bruce and his crew are very fair to his loggers. They do not show favoritism. Everyone is treated the same. Everyone does their share of clearcuts and everyone does their share of thinning. I think that is a tremendous achievement. If you have 15 loggers that feel like they are treated fairly and they like their bottom line at the end of the year, then we have done a tremendous job”
Maintaining a stable logging force of dependable, hardworking individuals is a point of pride for Jordan Lumber. Over the years, many loggers have retired with the company as a result of the strong and equitable leadership of the Jordan family.
Due to the Piedmont’s harsh winters, Evans explained, “we are constantly
12 ncforestry.org / THIRD QUARTER 2020
IN MEMORIAM:
ROBERT B. “BOB” JORDAN III
Jordan Lumber was run by the late Robert B. “Bob” Jordan III from 1956 until earlier this year. Jordan was a visionary leader who served as a North Carolina State Senator from 1976 to 1984, and as Lieutenant Governor from 1984 to 1988. One of his many achievements in the General Assembly was helping
to pass legislation that started the highly successful Forest Development Program administered by the North Carolina Forest Service. His business acumen, hard work and willingness to challenge the status quo permeated throughout his team to propel the company where it is today.
Jordan passed away on February 16, 2020 at his
home overlooking Lake Tillery. He received the NCFA’s Distinguished Service Award in 2001. He was a longtime supporter of the NCFA and a champion of the forest products industry.