FRA’S 2026 SOUTHEASTERN REGION OUTSTANDING LOGGER AWARD
TOBEY MCDOWELL OF C. MCDOWELL LOGGING RECOGNIZED AS
FRA’S 2026 SOUTHEASTERN REGION OUTSTANDING LOGGER AWARD WINNER
Auburn, AL, March 11, 2026 – The Forest Resources Association (FRA), in partnership with John Deere, honored Tobey McDowell of C. McDowell Logging from Jackson, GA, as the 2026 Southeastern Region Outstanding Logger Award winner. The honor was presented during FRA’s Southwide Region Spring Meeting held at the Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center in Auburn, Alabama. Tobey was nominated by the Georgia Forestry Association and Southeastern Wood Producers Association.
Clay Altizer, FRA’s Southwide Region Manager, introduced Berry Johnson of John Deere and welcomed him to the podium. Johnson shared why John Deere is proud to sponsor the Outstanding Logger Award and noted that the McDowell family 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 Berry Johnson, representing John Deere at the event.
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.
Berry Johnson and Michael Walker, FRA’s Southeastern Region Steering Committee Chair, along with Clay Altizer, presented Tobeywith an engraved cherry and black walnut cross-cut saw plaque and a generous award check. Tobey graciously accepted the award and thanked those who have supported McDowell Logging throughout the years, giving special recognition to his family.
“Tobey McDowell has been a model for what a leader and an advocate looks like in the logging sector. There is no area of work that McDowell Logging glosses over or won’t treat with the utmost professionalism. Working with Tobey has been a true pleasure. Tobey’s devotion, faith, drive, perseverance, enthusiasm, and humility make him not just a great logger, but a wonderful person to have as a representative of this industry.” – Dillon Hendrix, Georgia Forestry Association
Tobey McDowell and McDowell Logging
McDowell Logging is a family-owned and operated business renowned for its quality, safety, and skilled workforce. All harvesting and transportation equipment is company-owned and maintained by employees, including an in-house mechanic, with routine greasing, oil changes, and inspections. The company operates two six-person crews and five drivers, averaging 50 loads per week, and specializes in clearcut harvesting, chipping, and thinning operations using exclusively John Deere equipment. Safety is a top priority, managed in partnership with a professional logging safety contractor who oversees monthly OSHA-required meetings. Tobey McDowell ensures every job meets landowner expectations, often returning to perform additional cleanup before completion. Beyond operations, Tobey is deeply engaged in his community and industry, sponsoring local recreational sports, participating in the Butts County Chamber of Commerce, advocating for Georgia forestry policy initiatives, including 2022’s Referendum A and 2023 log trucking weight limits, and serving CrossOver Ministries in Jackson, Georgia, in multiple volunteer roles.
“FRA’s Southeastern Region is fortunate to have Tobey McDowell represent us as our 2026 Outstanding Logger Award winner. He is a consummate professional and a true asset to his community and the forest products value chain. I would like to commend Tobey and the entire C. McDowell Logging team on achieving this well-deserved honor and recognition.” Clay Altizer, FRA Southwide Region Manager.
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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