Davis, WV, July 18, 2026 – The Forest Resources Association (FRA), in partnership with John Deere, honored Jack Mills, Jack Mills Logging, from Federalsburg, Maryland, as the 2026 Appalachian Region Outstanding Logger. The honor was presented during the Joint Appalachian Region/West Virginia Forestry Association Meeting at the Canaan Valley Resort in Davis, WV. Mills was nominated for the award by the Maryland Forests Association and the University of Maryland Extension.

FRA’s Outstanding Logger Award recognizes exceptional independent logging contractors who demonstrate professional excellence in logging safety, environmental stewardship, business management, and community involvement. The award program elevates industry leaders, encourages peers to model best practices, and promotes strong relationships between loggers, foresters, and landowners.

“It’s a privilege to recognize Jack Mills as the 2026 Appalachian Region Outstanding Logger,” said Jeff Jenkins, FRA’s Appalachian Region Consultant. “Jack exemplifies the professionalism, integrity, and stewardship this award is meant to recognize. Through his work and commitment to doing things the right way, he has strengthened relationships between landowners, foresters, and the logging profession.”

Jack Mills was presented with an engraved cherry and black walnut cross-cut saw plaque and a generous award check. He graciously accepted the award for himself and his family.

During his acceptance remarks, Mills reflected on the person who inspired him to pursue a career in logging—his uncle, Tom Mitchell. When he decided to start his own logging business, he admitted he was nervous and sought his uncle’s advice. His uncle told him, “Jack, are you gonna work? As long as you can get up and go to work every day, you’re going to be alright.” Although his uncle has since passed away, Mills said those words have stayed with him throughout his career, adding, “I feel like the work that I’m doing now is a reflection of who he was and everything he taught me.”

 Jack Mills Logging

Originally, Mills owned and operated a successful excavation company before feeling called back to the woods. In 2019, he founded Jack Mills Logging, where he works independently and tailors each harvest to meet his landowners’ goals and objectives.

Safety and precision are at the core of his operation. Mills uses the trigger-release method to improve accuracy and safety when felling trees while applying harvesting techniques that meet each landowner’s goals and objectives.

Working primarily on private lands, he approaches every tract as if it were his own. His goal is to leave each property in better condition than he found it, and many completed harvest sites resemble parks.

Relationships and transparency are equally important to his business. Mills takes the time to educate landowners about what should be harvested and why, while remaining flexible enough to adjust his approach if their vision changes.

Deeply influenced by his uncle and mentor, Tom Mitchell, Mills spent much of his early career working alongside him. Today, he strives to carry that legacy forward through the quality of his work, his integrity, and his commitment to doing the job the right way.

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About Forest Resources Association (FRA)

FRA is an association representing the interests of more than 300 organizations and businesses in the forest products industry, including forest landowners, suppliers, consuming mills, associated businesses, and state forestry associations. Members all share a common interest – they rely on FRA to promote the public policy interests of the forest products industry’s supply chain on Capitol Hill and our work to advance safety, operational and technical efficiencies, and supply chain relations. FRA has member representation in 49 states and 384 Congressional Districts.

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Vanessa Connelly

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