FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2025
Texas A&M Vice Chancellor recognizes Hughes
Simpson for public service in forestry
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Hughes
Simpson, Texas A&M Forest Service Assistant Director, External Affairs, was
presented the Public Service in Forestry Award by Texas A&M University Vice
Chancellor Dr. Jeffrey Savell, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
Simpson began his career with Texas
A&M Forest Service in 2000 as a Forester in Lufkin. Since then, he has
served as a Water Resources Program Leader, Forest Systems Department Head and Forest
Resource Development Chief Operating Officer.
In fall 2024, Simpson was named Assistant
Director, External Affairs. In this capacity, he coordinates and implements
strategic initiatives, business development opportunities and partner relations
to ensure sustainable forestry policies, initiatives and funding are available
throughout the state.
“I have witnessed Hughes’ rapid
ascension through the agency with ever-increasing service and leadership
responsibilities,” said Al Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service Director. “His
effective leadership continues to result in strong forestry leadership
throughout the state and southern U.S.”
Throughout his time at the agency,
Simpson has helped drive the development of Texas
Forest Info, an extensive website
that hosts tools for property mapping, forest ecosystem evaluation, financial
assistance, forest health diagnostics and land management planning.
He also transformed the agency’s East
Texas-based Best Management Practices program into a statewide Water Resources
program, recognizing the critical link between forests and water. Simpson
spearheaded the establishment of the Texas Partnership for Forests and Water, a
statewide collaborative that works to sustain forested watersheds to provide
safe, reliable sources of drinking water and positive benefits to local
economies.
In strengthening other external
natural resource partnerships, Simpson developed and implemented the Texas A&M Forest Service Leadership Institute, a leadership training program for natural
resource and emergency response partners that promotes the advancement of
statewide natural resource stewardship.
Simpson, working through the Texas
Longleaf Team, has been
instrumental in the restoration of the native longleaf pine ecosystem. In 2014,
he developed the Texas Longleaf Conservation Assistance Program that has
provided over $2.4 million in financial assistance to landowners to restore and
steward almost 50,000 acres of this iconic ecosystem.
As a 25-year member of the Texas
Forestry Association, Simpson serves as chair to its environmental and
regulatory affairs committee. He has also served on the association’s board of
directors and several other natural resource-based committees.
Beyond Texas, Simpson has been a
Society of American Foresters Certified Forester since 2007 where he has held a
membership since 1996. He was selected as a Fellow in 2023, has served on its
board of directors and as chair for the committee on forest policy, secretary
and treasurer for the Texas Society of American Foresters (TSAF) and chair of
the Lufkin/Nacogdoches chapter of TSAF.
“One of Hughes’ greatest contributions
is his collaboration and connection with Texas landowners,” said Rob Hughes, Texas
Forestry Association Executive Director. “He recognizes that private lands are
crucial to the overall health of our forests and has worked to build strong
relationships with private landowners and timberland investment firms.”
The Texas A&M Vice Chancellor’s
Award in Excellence program was established in 1980 to recognize the commitment
and outstanding contributions of faculty and staff across Texas A&M
AgriLife. The Public Service in Forestry award has been presented at the
program since 2012.
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Photos: https://agrilife.photoshelter.com/galleries/C00004ctr0uNLkTQ/G0000lw5489NXOr4/20250108-Hughes-Simpson-Vice-Chancellors-Award
Texas A&M Forest Service Contacts:
Communications Office, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu, 979-458-6606