Jason joined Forest Investment Associates in 2006 and currently manages the firm’s U.S. timber insurance program, its mineral and energy program in Louisiana, and serves as Regional Investment Forester for Louisiana and Texas. His previous roles at FIA include Assistant Director of International Operations for timberland assets in Brazil and Chile; management of 444,000 acres across the U.S. South; and the startup and oversight of harvest operations producing 800,000 tons per year for Broad Arrow Timber Company in North Carolina and Virginia, fulfilling various wood supply agreements.

Jason’s skills include forest and natural resource management for both commercial use and conservation; wood flow planning and marketing; contract negotiation and administration; project management within and across teams; process improvement and compliance; and risk management.

Previous Experience

Prior to joining FIA, Jason was employed by The St. Joe Company as the corporation transitioned from a timberland manager to a real estate operating company. His responsibilities included wood flow planning, budget coordination, management of forest accounting software, timber sale contract management, GIS and aerial photography, as well as comprehensive experience in all aspects of forestry fieldwork.

What is your business philosophy?

Operate with clearly defined goals; be honest about what is known and where the boundaries of ignorance exist; make decisions based on best data available and not emotion; establish good ethics and act with integrity. 

Why did you choose this field / career path?

I have always had a love for the outdoors and hard sciences.  I chose forestry because it is the nexus between so many disciplines: Botany, Biology, Ecology, Geology, Meteorology, Technology, Philosophy, and Economics.  Over the course of a single day, I may have conversations with stakeholders as diverse as an equipment operator in a rural town, a financial analyst in metropolitan city, a research associate at a major university, and an extension agent for a governmental agency.

What is one of the best lessons you’ve learned during your career?

Trust takes years to build and moments to lose. Be conscientious.