2025 - 2026 Board of Directors
Coast District
Kristy Swor
Kristy Swor (RPF #3183) grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, but spent most summers visiting her grandma in the redwood forests of Santa Cruz—an experience that planted the seed for her future in forestry. She began her academic path at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as a biology major, later switching to forestry with a goal to "save the trees"—a mission that evolved into a deeper understanding of the balance between ecological integrity and sustainable resource management.
She gained foundational field experience at Cal Poly’s Swanton Pacific Ranch (SPR), where she now continues to work through her consulting work with Hamey Woods. Her work remains rooted in the landscapes that shaped her early career, including SPR and San Vicente Redwoods, with a focus on ecological restoration, post-fire recovery, and long-term forest management. Throughout her career, Kristy has been fortunate to be mentored by thoughtful and experienced foresters & professors who shaped her approach to the profession. She feels lucky to be part of the small forestry community in Santa Cruz and enjoys learning from and working alongside others who care deeply about the land.
Kristy is also passionate about mentoring Cal Poly students and volunteering at the Forestry Challenge to help inspire the next generation of foresters. In her spare time, she can often be found pulling weeds and enthusiastically filling up her (and her neighbors’) green waste bins. Kristy recently fulfilled a longtime goal by adopting a spirited German Shepherd/Husky mix puppy who now keeps her on her toes.
Louis Schipper IV – Vice President
Louis Schipper has lived in Humboldt county for over 20 years. Louis attended Humboldt State university from 2003 until the fall of 2008 and graduated with a bachelor’s in Forestry with an emphasis in Production Management. His first forestry job was as a summer tech for Charll Stoneman. Since then he has worked for Green Diamond Resource Company and Humboldt Redwood Company. Currently Louis Schipper works for Humboldt Redwood company as a Plan writing RPF. Outside of work he enjoys hunting, fishing, and traveling to different countries.
Jared Gerstein
Jared Gerstein graduated UC Santa Cruz in 1994 with an BA in Environmental Studies and Oregon State University in 1999 with an MS in Forest Science. After graduate school Mr. Gerstein conducted watershed analysis for PALCO while working at Tetra Tech, then went on to the University of California Cooperative Extension program developing monitoring methods for watershed restoration projects implemented by CDFW. After that he worked at the Northcoast Regional Land Trust developing and monitoring working forest Conservation Easements. This broad background prepared Mr. Gerstein to join BBW and Associates, Inc. in 2007 as RPF #2826. Since joining BBWA Mr. Gerstein has participated in forest inventories, developed forest management plans, written and implemented forest harvest projects under CALFIRE and BIA rules, appraised timber values and helped develop conservation easements. Mr. Gerstein is an owner and managing partner of BBWA and is the Vice President. Managing a forestry consulting business has given Mr. Gerstein insights into the challenges of running a business, managing employees, vehicles, insurance plans, buildings and regulations in California. BBWA focuses on conservation-based forestry, working primarily with clients interested in maintaining uneven aged forests and growing larger, older forest communities, managing fire risk/recovery and seeking income from numerous sources including timber harvest, carbon credits and conservation easements.
Evan Mahoney-Moyer
Evan was raised in Eureka, CA and grew up exploring the woods of coastal Humboldt County. He attended UC Santa Cruz, where he received a B.S. in Biology in 2014. Following graduation, he was hired by Green Diamond Resource Company as a Seasonal Botanical Technician surveying the company’s timber harvest plans for rare and sensitive plant species. This position inspired a love of working in the outdoors on the rugged landscape of northern California’s timberlands. While working in this and a succession of other technician-level botany and forestry positions for Green Diamond, he was fortunate enough to work with several individuals who fostered an interest in forest management and encouraged Evan to become a licensed forester to write harvest plans. Evan passed the RPF exam in 2021 and became Registered Professional Forester 3159. He is currently employed as a plan-writing RPF by Green Diamond. In his spare time, Evan enjoys mountain biking, camping, playing fetch with his dog Summit, hunting, and fishing.
Northern District
Cole Humphrey - President
Cole Humphrey is a Forester for Hearst Forests in McCloud CA. Cole grew up in Siskiyou County splitting his time between the Shasta and Scott Valleys. Cole holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry with an emphasis in Forests Operations from Humboldt State University. Cole graduated in 2016 on a Saturday and started his professional career that Monday with Michigan-California Timber Company in Yreka, CA. At MCTC, Cole started out as a technician, timber marking, laying out timber sales, check cruising, and conducting owl surveys. Cole progressed into plan writing and received his registered professional foresters license in 2020. At the end of 2021 Cole was promoted as the inventory forester at MCTC until the timberlands were sold in the summer 2022. Cole stayed with the timberlands joining FWS Forestry and assisting managing Acer Klamath timberlands till 2023. Since 2023 Cole has been with Hearst Forests helping manage their 82,000 acres timberlands. Cole considers himself a generalist but particularly enjoys forest inventory and forest planning. Cole currently serves on the Siskiyou Land Trust Acquisition Committee. In his free time Cole loves to whitewater kayak, mountain bike, and spent time with his partner and dogs.
Frank Barron - Secretary
Frank was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. His camping experiences in Boy Scouts and Explorers influenced his decision to seek a career in the outdoors upon graduating from high school. He graduated from U. C. Berkeley in 1977 with a BS in Forestry, followed by a Master of Forestry degree from Oregon State University in 1979.
His first work experience in forestry was at Blodgett Experimental Forest in 1974. In 1976 and 1977, he cruised timber for Kimberly-Clark from Lake Almanor to the Scott Valley and points in between. In 1977, following a Kimberly-Clark cruising job, Frank and his partner got a contract with Georgia-Pacific in Fort Bragg to cruise redwood. Beginning in the spring of 1979, he started a permanent job with Kimberly-Clark in Anderson, CA as an Assistant District Forester. Kimberly-Clark soon morphed into Roseburg Forest Products. For the next 2.5 years he cruised Forest Service timber sales. In the spring of 1982, he started as a forester with Crane Mills where he has been ever since. He became Chief Forester in 2005. On January 1,2025, Frank went from full-time salary to part-time hourly and is trying to scale back to 2-3 days per week.
Frank obtained his RPF license in 1981 (#2007). His professional work experience has included, and still does include, THP preparation, timber cruising, timber marking, inventory supervision and design, GIS development and supervision, logging and road construction/maintenance supervision, timber sale contracts, cost-share road accounting, use permits, northern spotted owl surveys, reforestation supervision, yield taxes, and public education about forestry.
Frank has been a member of CLFA since 1981 and SAF since 1977. His professional awards include the 1998 Francis Raymond Award and SAF Fellow in 2001. Those awards were the result of his forestry education efforts as the 60 Second Forester on KPAY (Chico, CA) from 1994 to 2013 and Arbor Day school programs in Tehama County beginning in 1984 (up to the present). Frank served on the Board of Directors for the California Forest Products Commission from 2001 to 2008, and was Chairman in 2006. He started serving on the CLFA Board of Directors in 2022.
Frank, and his wife, Kathie (a Cal Forester, Class of ’78), live in Corning, CA. They have 5 children and 5 grandchildren. They enjoy camping, baseball, kayaking, and Civil War re-enacting. They are both actively involved in First Baptist Church, Corning, CA.
Jason Poburko - Treasurer
Jason’s forestry career started in 1996, with his first job being on the exposed western coast of Vancouver Inland for Pacific Forest Products. While finishing his BSF at the University of British Columbia, additional work exposure experiences were obtained with both INTERFOR and the Association of BC Professional Foresters. After graduation in 1999, he accepted a position with the small family consulting firm of Frank and Dean Solinsky Co, Eureka. In 2001, Jason accepted a position with the SPI Weaverville Forest District and practiced in the Coast and Klamath mixed conifer forests for 16 years. In 2016, seeking a new challenge, Jason accepted a position as the Forest Manager at CAL FIRE’s LaTour Demonstration State Forest. In 2022 three new forests were added to his area of responsibility and he now manages the five Demonstration State Forests in the CAL FIRE Shasta-Trinity Unit under the moniker of the SHU Demonstration State Forests. Jason has a strong background in spotted owls, CEQA, Forest Practice, Forest Inventory, technology, building partnerships, and challenging the status quo. Jason is RPF 2769 and previously served 3 terms as a CLFA Board member from 2008-2012, and held the Presidency in 2011. Jason has also served as a member of the Professional Foresters Examining Committee since 2016. By returning to the Board, Jason hopes to help the new board remember its roots, recruit membership, and mentor those starting in the profession
Nick grew up in the Sacramento Valley surrounded by orchards and rice fields. He began working for a consulting forester out of Oroville CA in the summer of 2004 at 18 years old and the rest is history. After graduating from Humboldt State University in the spring of 2010 he moved to Burney, CA and worked for W.M. Beaty & Associates, Inc. until 2018. For the last 5 years Nick has been working for Siller Brothers, Inc. Yuba City, Ca managing their timberlands.
Justin Barrett
Justin’s a graduate of the Maritime College of Forest Technology in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. His forestry career started in 2006, with his first job as a helitack wildland firefighter in Calgary Alberta. In 2007, he accepted a position with his current employer Alpine Land Information Services (Alpine) in Redding, CA as Forest Technician / GIS Technician. Justin has had many titles at Alpine, Field Operations Supervisor, Forest Inventory Analyst, GIS Manager. Since 2017 he has taken the helm of Alpine as General Manager and ushered in a new era of software development, data management, forest inventory, carbon offset project development, and long-term forest planning for Alpine. Staring in 2023 he decided to take the plunge and sit for the RPF exam and in 2024 became CA RPF# 3232. With that achievement he became General Manager & Chief Forester of Alpine. Justin is a passionate forestry professional that is driven by strong team building and the advancement of forest technology at a landscape level.
This is Justin’s first term as a CLFA Board Member, and he looks forward to helping the continued betterment of our profession.
Brian Dunham
Southern District
Jim Kral
James graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1984, laying the foundation for a life dedicated to the natural world. James gained practical experience as a Forest Technician for Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) from 1989 to 1993. Jim earned a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management with a minor in Environmental Ethics from Humboldt State University in 1994.
Upon completing his degree, James served as a Forester for SPI’s Camino Timberlands from 1994 to 1997, further refining his skills in sustainable forestry practices. In 1997, James worked as a Consulting Forester from 1997 to 2008, providing expert guidance on forest health and land stewardship. In 2008, James took a position as the Forest Manager for CAL FIRE’s Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest in the Tulare Unit—a role he continues to hold, where he has emphasized active forest management and Giant Sequoia conservation. His dedication extends to the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition, where he collaborates on efforts to preserve iconic groves.
Beyond his professional achievements, James is a proud father to Skyler and Emma and is known for his enthusiasm for Dutch oven cooking and his impressive collection of cast iron cookware, infusing his love of tradition and craftsmanship into every aspect of his life.
James has been an active member of the California Licensed Foresters Association since 1988, currently serving his fourth term on the Board of Directors.
Matthew Brown
Matt is a proud Cal Poly (the real Cal Poly) graduate, and began his career in 2005 working at Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest cruising timber, and cut his teeth using a 40 BAF for old growth Giant Sequoia, where he fell in love with cruising timber and limiting distances. Upon graduation Matt accepted a position with Mason, Bruce, and Girard based in Auburn, CA supporting THP preparation, inventory, reforestation, and stand improvement projects. During his time with MB&E Matt also worked periodically throughout the western US from Washington and Oregon to Southern California supporting various forest management and inventory projects. Matt also worked for Davey Resource Group from 2009-2011 standing up its diversification into forest management, forest inventory, and fuels reduction planning on private, state, and federal lands in the Western US. In 2011, Matt took his first position with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) in its Natural Resource Management Department overseeing planning and management of timberlands south of Sonora, vegetation/land management to support hydro operations, and land management at Diablo Canyon Power Plant. Since 2016, Matt has overseen PG&E's compensatory mitigation and conservation activities related to species take (California and federal Endangered Species Acts [ESA]), Lake and Streambed Alteration (LSA/1602), and state and federal Clean Water Act (WDR/GO, CWA 401/404). Matt's role further expanded in 2018 to include long-term programmatic permit development related to CESA, ESA, CWAs, and LSA, including EIR and EA development, to support PG&E's maintenance and operations. In 2017, Matt also established himself as a part-time consulting forester in Fresno and Madera counties. In addition to being a Licensed Forester (#2927) since 2010, Matt also holds a Pest Control Advisor's license (PCA), a Qualified Applicator License (QAL), and a Project Management Professional certification (PMP).
This is Matt’s first term as a CLFA Board Member. In his spare time, Matt enjoys long walks in the forest, along rivers, and marshes with his two sons (Logan and Aaron) and dog Ember chasing good memories, fish, and waterfowl.
Jeb Brooks
Jeb started his forestry journey at the age of 25 when he decided to attend Oregon State University (OSU). While at OSU, he gained valuable experience throughout the Pacific Northwest and on Vancouver Island, BC in the silviculture, forest engineering, and timber sale management disciplines. His favorite summer during school was spent in a sleepy old logging town called Gold River, BC where he had the privilege of seeing an area where off-highway logging trucks still roam and foresters got to enter areas for first and second entries, determining the best method to get logs to mills.
After graduating from OSU with a B.S. in Forest Management, he decided to give California a try and became a Procurement Forester for Sierra Pacific Industries, Sonora Division. This was a unique career track that allowed him to learn about the mill side of the industry while administering Forest Service timber sale contracts. From there he did a short stint with a fuel reduction contractor which offered valuable experience in helping to manage a small company that primarily implemented projects in the grant-funded forest health world.
Currently, Jeb is working as the Sonora Team Lead for Mason, Bruce, & Girard, Natural Resource Consultants. Jeb feels privileged to have been given the opportunity to expand MB&G’s reach into the central and southern Sierra Nevada Region in California where he is actively managing a diverse portfolio of projects from Calaveras County all the way down to southern Tulare County.
This is his first term sitting on the California Licensed Forester’s Association and he looks forward to primarily learning from his esteemed peers, and to working for the betterment of the practice of forestry in California.
CLFA Staff
Kathleen Burr, Executive Director
Andrea Eggleton, Board of Forestry Liaison
Brian White - KP Public Affairs, Government Affairs Liaison