FRA’S 2026 NORTHEASTERN REGION OUTSTANDING LOGGER AWARD
BRIAN SOUERS OF TREELINE, INC. RECOGNIZED AS
FRA’S 2026 NORTHEASTERN REGION OUTSTANDING LOGGER AWARD WINNER
Brewer, Maine, April 02, 2026 – The Forest Resources Association (FRA), in partnership with John Deere, honored Brian Souers of Treeline, Inc. from Lincoln, Maine, as the 2026 Northeastern Region Outstanding Logger Award winner. The honor was presented during FRA’s Northeastern Region Forum held at Jeff’s Catering & Event Center in Brewer, Maine. The Maine Forest Products Council nominated Brian for the award.
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.
Eric Kingsley, FRA’s Northeastern Region Consultant, introduced Carl Lockhart of John Deere and welcomed him to the podium. Lockhart shared why John Deere is proud to sponsor the Outstanding Logger Award and noted that Treeline, Inc., exemplifies the kind of logging operation the award was created to recognize.
“Loggers are essential to proper forest management, and a strong, thriving wood supply chain depends on their hard work. That’s why John Deere is proud to partner with FRA to support the Outstanding Logger Program,” said Carl Lockhart, representing John Deere at the event.
Carl Lockhart presented Brian with an engraved cherry and black walnut cross-cut saw plaque and a generous award check. He graciously accepted the award on behalf of their entire family and the Treeline, Inc. team.
“We’re proud to represent Maine’s logging community and grateful to the Forest Resource Association for this recognition. This is a huge honor! But the real story is about people. This award reflects the skill, dedication, and shared leadership that each Treeline team member brings to the woods every day. We also want to Shout Out to the landowners, foresters, wood buyers, and mill owners who, without their dedication to our industry, our efforts would be for naught,” said Brian Souers, founder and president of Treeline, Inc.
“The FRA Outstanding Logger Award judging panel was extremely impressed with the business that Brian has built, developed on a foundation of responsible timber harvesting. Brian and his entire team are truly deserving of this honor and recognition, and I am proud to celebrate their contributions to our industry and to have them represent the Northeast Region as our 2026 award winner,” said Eric Kingsley, FRA Northeast Region Consultant.
About Treeline, Inc.
In 1981, Brian Souers, who is the owner and President of Treeline, Inc., founded a forest-based company to advance Professional Forest Management in Maine. Brian’s daughter, Whitney Souers, serves as Vice President, and the pair work hand in hand, along with a seasoned management team, to keep everything running smoothly. Brian started in business with only a chainsaw and a horse named Captain. Since then, the company has grown to over 90 employees, over 200 trucks, trailers, service vehicles, and heavy equipment, three large maintenance shops, a small sawmill, a concentration wood yard, and a supply store. Brian is always willing to think outside the box and try new ventures to support his business, the forest products industry, and the Lincoln, Maine community. Other business interests include surveying services, real estate sales, low-income housing development, and creating new products, including hemlock rifle stocks.
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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