Clark W. Seely, CF, president of Seely Management Consulting in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, formerly an executive of the Oregon Department of Forestry, began his term as the 2016 president of the Society of American Foresters (SAF) by calling for increased partnerships with other natural resources professionals.
“It’s an honor to be elected to lead the foresters and other natural resources professionals who are members of SAF and are building on SAF’s 115-year tradition of serving society through the stewardship of America’s forests,” says Seely. “But we can only succeed if we build on our relationships with other natural resources partners. We want to utilize the personal diversity and experiences of our members and partners to bring the best thinking and decisions to the challenges at hand.”
A member of SAF since 1977, Seely has held a variety of positions for more than three decades. At the national level, he has served SAF’s Board of Directors as a member of the Subcommittee on Revenue Development (2011–2014), as Representative for Oregon and southwest Washington (2008–2010); and as a member of the Finance and Investment Committee, 2008–2010 (chair, 2009–2010). He also served as general co-chair of the 2007 SAF National Convention in Portland, Oregon; member of the National Convention Program Committee (2006–2008); member of SAF’s Certification Review Board (1998–2000); and chair-elect and chair of SAF’s House of Society Delegates (1991–1992).
At the state level, Seely served in several positions with the Oregon SAF, including Awards Committee chair (2010–2012), state society chair (1991), SAF Northwest Office Committee chair (1991), Oregon SAF Foundation Board of Trustees (1991–1992 and 1984–1985), membership committee chair (1989), and education committee chair (1987–1988).
Seely’s commitment to the Society and the profession has been recognized repeatedly over the years and he is the recipient of several awards and honors, including SAF’s John A. Beale Memorial Award (2012), which recognizes outstanding efforts over a sustained period by an SAF member in the promotion of forestry through voluntary service to the Society. He has also received the 35-Year Award from the Oregon Department of Forestry (2009) and was named an SAF Fellow in 1996.
Learn more about the Society Of American Foresters at https://www.safnet.org/.