FRA Member Spotlight- Terry Logging, Inc.
FRA’s strength comes from its members – the dedicated professionals who bring diverse expertise and insights into our industry. Through our Member Spotlight series, we highlight their contributions, celebrate their achievements, and showcase their impact on the forest products supply chain. This week, it’s my privilege to introduce Chris Terry and Terry Logging, Inc.
In the Beginning
Chris Terry, President of Terry Logging, has been a member of FRA since 2017. If you were to meet Chris, I’m sure he’s a person you’d remember. Not only is he honest and open when asked a question, but he’s 6’ 8” tall. He looks more like an all-star basketball player than an all-star logger! When I met with Chris for this interview, I asked him which side of the family tree the loggers were on. He said they came from his mother’s side, and as a young kid, he remembers his uncles and cousins working hard and the forest providing endless opportunities and adventure.
When he was a senior in high school, he spurred his interest in logging, making money harvesting, processing, and selling firewood. Chris aspired to be a logger. He recalled a conversation with his high school teacher, who was encouraging him to pursue other positions. This only encouraged him more to start a logging business, telling his teacher he would be the best logger there is. “Logger” – What’s in a Name? – Forest Resources Association
After Chris graduated high school, he still aspired to become a logger. With help from his dad, who co-signed the loan, he purchased a new tractor with a front-end loader and a 1974 one-ton flatbed truck. His first job was working with his uncle in a stand of mixed hardwood/pine. Chris thought he could cut the pine to make posts, so his uncle agreed to sell the trees to him for .10 cents per post. This was the beginning of Terry Logging. Chris’s dreams and aspirations became reality.
Growing Pains
Over time, Terry Logging expanded and hired additional men and equipment. In 2001, the business became incorporated. Terry Logging, Inc. continued to grow, but with growth comes complexity. In 2014, he started to feel the added cost of having a larger crew. The Kentucky Workers Comp has one of the highest rates in the country, and he was paying between $1.00-1.50 per $1.00 of payroll. His only option was to become a mechanized logger to survive. He got a loan from his bank and purchased a 445L-2 Komatsu Feller Buncher and a 264 Ultra C.S.I. de-limber mounted on a 595B Barko Loader. This investment met the qualifications needed for Kentucky’s mechanized logging classification. The investment paid off quickly as the rates were significantly reduced.
Accomplishments
Chris has a long list of accomplishments, including:
- FRA 2017 Appalachian Region Outstanding Logger
- Kentucky Forest Industries Association (K.F.I.A.) 2006 Logger of the Year
- Member of the K.F.I.A. Board of Directors
- Member of Kentucky’s Best Management Practices Sub-Committee to develop good logging practices
- FRA Appalachian Region Steering Committee member
- Instructor for Kentucky Master Logger classes
- Guest speaker at the University of Kentucky’s School of Forestry
- Feature article in Southern Loggin’ Times magazine
The Recipe for Success
Chris believes the key to being a successful logger is being flexible. Workforce issues and declining markets are two of the biggest challenges he sees. Terry Logging, Inc. is a small crew of 3, including himself, his younger brother Nathan, and Jeff Meadows, a longtime employee. He knows his success is directly related to a great team. They’ve been there by his side every step of the way. They never call off sick and do whatever it takes to get the job done! A loyal crew, a low debt-to-equity ratio, and finding niche markets have all contributed to the flexibility of his operation.
What about FRA?
Chris values several aspects of being an FRA member. He appreciates FRA’s work on national issues impacting loggers and the broader industry. He also looks forward to the weekly Woods to Mill publications, providing regional and national perspectives on current issues. Additionally, he finds the Safety Alerts especially useful, as they provide practical guidance on how to avoid unsafe practices that lead to on-the-job accidents and serve as valuable documentation for his crew’s weekly safety meetings.
Safety First
In addition to using the FRA safety resources, Terry Logging, Inc. participates in the Timber Safe program, offered through the West Virginia University Department of Forestry Extension. The program helps loggers comply with state and federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) laws, keep more accurate records, and assist with identifying risks on the logging site. The Logging Safety Quandary: Why the Number 22.8 Matters – Forest Resources Association
The Dream
I asked Chris if he still liked what he did. His answer was emphatic: “I love it!” He pulled his phone out and scrolled until he found a recent photo. It was a picture of a brilliant, fiery-orange sunrise silhouetting the equipment, a clear reminder of why he chose to be a logger. As we talked, he shared the enormous satisfaction and pride that goes with his job. He said, “You can see what you’ve done and be proud of your work!” Are Workers in Logging and Forestry Really Happier and Less Stressed? – Forest Resources Association FRA appreciates loggers and their critical role in the forest products supply chain. Chris Terry is a logger who stands tall in many ways!
