Fred Huntress

It is with mixed emotions that NEFCo announces the retirement of Fred Huntress at the end of May 2001.  While the foresters of NEFCo hate to see Fred retire, we are also extremely excited for Fred.  If anyone has earned the right to stop and smell the roses, it would be Fred.

Fred began his career with the New England Forestry Foundation in 1958 as a Center Manager and Land Surveyor in Maine and developed a very successful center that has gained a reputation for outstanding service to many landowners in the area.

Through 43 years of land stewardship, Fred has been able to achieve the goal of almost all consulting foresters, and that is to continually manage the same parcels over a long period of time.  He has had the opportunity to see the long-term results of his work, and felt the satisfaction of leaving the forest better than when he started working on it.  In some instances, he is now working with the grandchildren of his original clients.

Fred's contributions to the forestry community are immeasurable and could not possibly be expounded upon in a short newsletter article.  However, here is a brief list of his achievements:

  • Past Chairman of the Maine Chapter and Director of the Northern Region of the Association of Consulting Foresters of America.
  • A member of the Society of American Foresters since 1954.
  • A  life member of the American Forestry Association.
  • Past President and Board of Director of the Main Forest Products Council.
  • Board of Directors of the Small Woodland Owners of Maine.

Fred Huntress, 1997

Not only has Freed been an influential member of the forestry community, he has also been very active in the civic community.  He served as a Selectman for the Town of Poland, Maine, for 12 years as well as being the town forester.  He is a member of the Zoning Review Committee, President of the Stanton Bird Club, and Director of the Pine Grove Cemetery Corporation.

Although Fred is "officially" retired, he will remain a part of NEFCo.  Fred has graciously agreed to work part time with NEFCo (2 or 3 days a week), and the foresters of NEFCo are extremely grateful.  Not only will this arrangement help with the transition, it will insure that Fred's extensive knowledge and unique perspective remain available to the foresters as well as our clients.

"It has been a real privilege to work in association with Fred Huntress for the past 21 years.  Fred has been a mentor to myself and many other NEFF and NEFCo foresters over the past forty years," states Keene Center Manager Dave Kent.  "Fred Huntress is a forester's forester.  I have always been amazed at his ability to get to the heart of an issue and speak clearly and accurately about the strengths and weaknesses associated with different approaches to dealing with the issues or problems," adds Kent.

"I think Fred is the epitome of what I would classify as a 'class act,' and I hope he understands the level of respect that all of the foresters in NEFCo hold for him," states Tony Lamberton, Manchester Center Manager.

All NEFCo foresters hold the greatest amount of respect for Fred Huntress.  He upholds the highest level of professionalism and standards.  Whenever Fred speaks during one of the semi-annual forester's meetings, he receives everyone's full attention.  We are thankful that Fred will maintain his association with NEFCo; and we are confident that, with Fred's assistance, the transition from a full time to part time status will insure that the clients whom Fred has served for so many years will continue to receive the outstanding service that they have come to expect from NEFCo.

What are Fred's plans while he is working part-time?  Not surprisingly it is not to hang out in Florida near the ninth green.  He plans to put more time into managing his own forestland and getting his daughter involved in the management.  This comes as no surprise to the people who know Fred.  He has been a "hands-on" forester all his life, and whether he is classified as  full-time, part-time, or retired, the place to look for him is in the woods.

              

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- Last updated on 13 February 2003 -
New England Forestry Consultants, Inc.
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