The Forest History Society, located in Durham, North Carolina, is seeking an inspiring, visionary, and innovative President/CEO with a passion for forest history and leadership skills to elevate the Society to its greatest potential. In looking for its next leader, the FHS Board of Directors desires to attract the best expertise in history, forestry, library & archives, association management, and related disciplines.

Background

Established in 1946, the Forest History Society is the premier library and archives in forest and conservation history with more than 12,000 books, 300,000 historic images, 400 oral history interviews, and 200 archival collections of individuals, organizations, and companies. Its collections, which are global in scope, also include historic moving footage, maps, diaries, lumber journals, and artwork. FHS has an active publications program that includes the quarterly journal Environmental History, the Forest History Today magazine, original films, and books. Its website contains searchable databases, middle school curricula, digital exhibits, and biographical information about significant figures in forest history.

The Society recently moved into a new state-of-the-art 16,750 sq.ft. library, archives, and headquarters that is prepared to accept historic collections of all sizes. It has diverse support, an $8 million endowment, and no debt. Its professional and dedicated staff includes a librarian, an archivist, a historian, and several support personnel.

Since 1946, the FHS has had four Presidents. Dr. Steven Anderson plans to retire in the spring of 2023. It is expected that the new President/CEO will join the Society on or about May 1, 2023. The search will continue until a suitable candidate is found. To receive full consideration, applicants should submit their initial application package by September 15, 2022.

The following information is provided for potential candidates to consider. Inquiries about the position may be made by contacting Lynn Wilson, Search Committee Chair, by email. For technical questions about the application process or to arrange for a visit to the Society’s headquarters, call 919-682-9319.

Position Information

Organizational & Financial Information

Programmatic Information

For all those interested, please reach out to Lynn Wilson, Search Committee Chair, at [email protected]

For further information visit the FHS website at www.foresthistory.org

Original Posting