Governor Sonny Perdue Announces Robert Farris as Executive Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission

Governor Sonny Perdue today announced Robert Farris as the Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). The GFC provides leadership, service, and education in protection, management, and wise use of Georgia’s forest resources. The Director is responsible for all programs of the state forestry agency including oversight of all personnel. The GFC has 675 employees and an annual budget of approximately $40 million. The commission board approved Farris, upon recommendation from Governor Perdue.

“The Forestry Commission has the critical job of protecting and managing one of Georgia’s most precious natural resources,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Robert Farris has served the Georgia Forestry community for many years where he has demonstrated excellence in leadership. I am certain that he will continue to work to sustain and preserve Georgia’s natural resources.”

Farris has served as Interim Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission since December 2006. Farris oversees the state agency’s leadership, service, and education of Georgia’s forest resources. Since joining the GFC in 1985, Farris has served as District Forester in Milledgeville, Statewide Training Coordinator, and Associate Chief of Protection. He has earned the GFC Director’s Award for Outstanding Leadership and the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Service. Farris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Resources from the University of Georgia. He is a Georgia Registered Forester, a Georgia Certified Prescribed Burner and a Georgia Certified Pesticide Applicator. He is a member of the Society of American Foresters, in which he has served a number of leadership positions, and is a member of the Georgia Forestry Association. He and his wife, Beverly, have four children.

“Robert has done an excellent job as Interim Director for the Georgia Forestry Commission for the last 18 months, and he is most deserving of this appointment from Governor Perdue,” said John Wesley Langdale, III, President of the Langdale Company, a member of the Georgia Forestry Commission Board. “Robert has a tremendous vision for the Georgia Forestry Commission, and together with its many dedicated employees, will be successful in keeping it the # 1 State Forestry Agency in the country.”