Ed Smith, north Louisiana regional timberlands manager for Weyerhaeuser Company, was elected president of the Louisiana Forestry Association for 2007.

The election of officers was held at the annual board of directors meeting during the final day of the 2006 annual convention in Shreveport at the end of August.

Smith succeeds Mike Merritt, who serves as immediate past president. A resident of Natchitoches, Smith has a forestry degree from Louisiana Tech in Ruston, and 33 years experience in forestry. He also completed the LSU Executive Program, and Duke University Executive Program. Smith began with Willamette Industries in 1973, and made the transition to Weyerhaeuser when the company was sold. He and his wife Cindy have three children.

Other LFA officers are Stephen Muslow, a consulting forester in Shreveport, first vice president; Mickey Rachal, vice president for land and timber, Roy O. Martin in Alexandria, second vice president; Lee C. Alexander, manager, west region, Forest Resources Division, International Paper Company in Shreveport, third vice president. Ron Chance with T.L. James continues as treasurer.

Members of the executive committee elected at the Shreveport meeting are Ann Allen of Barr Land and Timber; David Cupp of Walsh Timber; Brandon Ewing of Ewing Timber; Mike Hudson of Temple-Inland; Dick Meyers of Boise; Jeff Peterson of Gray Estate and Stream Co.; Sam Pruitt of PWK Timberland; John Russo of Burns Forest Products; Hank Smart; and Marc St. John of Smurfit-Stone.

Back