Woods To Mill: The FRA Podcast
Woods to Mill is the official podcast of the Forest Resources Association.
Hosted by FRA Southwide Region Manager Clay Altizer, with Vanessa Connelly, Director of Communications & Outreach, as co-host, each episode features conversations with leaders and professionals from across the forest products industry.
From the woods to the mill and everything in between, Woods to Mill explores the people, issues, and opportunities shaping the wood supply chain.
Episode 1: The Wood Supply Chain: Who We Are and Where We’re Going
For our first episode, Clay and Vanessa sit down with FRA President & CEO Tim O’Hara and Josh Sandt, Vice President of Fiber Procurement & Residuals for Canfor Southern Pine and immediate past FRA Board Chair, to talk about the wood supply chain, the role FRA plays in bringing it together, and the priorities that will guide the association moving forward.
Episode 2: The Wood Supply Chain Evolution
Hear from Richard Schwab, Vice President of M. A. Rigoni Inc., and Dr. Brooks Mendell, CEO & Founder of Forisk Consulting, as they reflect on their careers, the changes they’ve witnessed across the wood supply chain, and how the industry has evolved along the way.
Episode 3: Reforestation
Join host Clay Altizer, FRA Southwide Region Manager, and co-host Vanessa Connelly, FRA Director of Communications & Outreach, for a conversation with Jason Watson, Vice President of U.S. Sales for ArborGen Inc.
Reforestation is essential to sustaining the wood supply chain. Join hosts Clay Altizer and Vanessa Connelly as they talk with Jason Watson, Vice President of U.S. Sales for ArborGen Inc., about the process of growing and planting trees, the importance of a reliable workforce, and the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of reforestation.
Episode 4: Land Management
What does it take to manage timberlands in a changing forest products industry?
In this episode of Woods to Mill, hosts Clay Altizer and Vanessa Connelly welcome Jody Strickland, Chief Business Officer at F&W Forestry, for a conversation about the evolving challenges and opportunities facing forest landowners and land managers.
From shifting timber markets and changing environmental requirements to wildfire risks and foreign ownership of U.S. timberlands, Jody shares insights into the decisions shaping forest management today. The discussion also explores the importance of strong markets, innovation, and collaboration in keeping working forests productive and economically viable for future generations.
Tune in for a closer look at the people, pressures, and opportunities shaping the future of forest land management.