Page 26 - Georgia Forestry - Winter 2018

Respecting the Past,
Forging Georgia’s
Forestry Future
Introducing the New State Forestry Director Chuck Williams
It is fitting that the newly appointed director of the Georgia Forestry Commission takes a moment to soak up late-day sunshine from a rocking chair at Hot Thomas’ Barbecue. The former Watkinsville cotton gin/seed house, turned iconic eatery is the favorite of
locals, including Chuck Williams. Williams has deep ties to the people and the land in this part of Oconee County, so kicking off the “Tree Talks” listening tour here with GFA President and CEO Andres Villegas was ideal.
Since 2011, Williams has represented District 119 in the Georgia Legislature and held leadership positions in agriculture, banking and natural resources and the environment. At the recommendation of the GFC Board of Directors, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal appointed Williams to the GFC director’s position, effective September 2017. Williams’ experience, knowledge and personality clearly led him to this pivotal role.
“It’s going well,” Williams said of his first three months as director. “Sometimes it feels like I’m drinking out of both ends of a fire hose, but everyone has been so helpful and support- ive.” Because he did not rise to his position through the agency ranks, Williams calls himself the “opposite of a traditional hire;” one who recognizes his “limits and the learning curve” and hopes to bring in fresh new ideas.
Georgia Forestry Roots
Born and reared in Watkinsville, Williams said his love for natural resources was likely founded on the farm of his grandfather who “always had a few cows.” In high school, he joined FFA and, as a senior, was elected vice president of the state organization.
Story by Stasia Kelly
“That state office experience was when I first realized there was life outside Oconee County,” he said. “We visited downtown Atlanta, Georgia Power plants and south Georgia agricultural lands. I got experience in public speaking. It’s when the light bulb went off for me.”
It’s also what led him to school at ABAC and then UGA, where he earned a degree in agricultural economics. His career took him to the USDA, where he worked in rural credit and economic development, and then into commercial banking from 1994–2017. In addition to his tenure as a Georgia
GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION
Williams, born and raised in Watkinsville, GA, was named GFC director in September 2017.
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