FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2024
Texas
A&M Forest Service honors personnel and service at 2024 annual meeting
TYLER, Texas--Texas
A&M Forest Service held the agency’s annual personnel meeting today in
Tyler, Texas. Statewide agency employees gathered to recognize the past year’s
agency accomplishments and employee achievements.
“Our agency has had a successful year of overcoming many
challenges,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Director Al Davis. “This year’s
personnel meeting was a great day to reflect on our growth, improvements and
employee success.”
During the meeting, Davis spoke on many agency highlights from
this year including giving over $20 million through the Rural VFD Assistance
Program, over $38 million through the Community Wildfire Protection grant
and over
$16 million to landowners and communities to improve natural resources.
“I am respectful of our past and excited about our future,” said
Davis. “With the help of the Texas Legislature and our employees’ adaptability,
we stand ready to conserve and protect Texas.”
During the meeting, agency leadership recognized 78 employees for
five years or more of service including: Kirk Risinger, Radio Communications
Specialist IV in Hudson for 25 years of service; Bryan Young, Resource
Specialist V in Lufkin for 25 years of service; Michael Dunivan, Area
Operations Chief in San Antonio for 30 years of service; Joel Hambright, Regional
Operations Chief in Huntsville for 30 years of service; and Ricky Holbrook,
Fire Coordinator V in Livingston for 35 years of service.
Employees who consistently deliver excellent service
above-and-beyond regular job duties were presented with Director’s Awards.
Donna Smith, Business Assistant III in McGregor, received the Director’s
Award for Support Staff Field. Smith is known to be an uplifting and
encouraging spirit, supporting the office and her team in the field. She goes
above and beyond by supporting the agency’s mission and activities through
helping with Pac-testing, tree planting, administrative training, Sisters in
Fire, Texas Abor Day and Smokey Bear events.
Adam DeWitt, Project
Coordinator IV in College Station, received the Director’s Award for Support
Staff Professional. DeWitt has demonstrated excellence in project management,
technical analysis and process improvement for the Capacity Building
Department. His leadership in the development and implementation of FireConnect
will have lasting impacts on the agency and fire department cooperators.
Kayla Walkoviak,
Business Assistant II in Conroe and now in College Station, received the Director’s
Award for Support Staff Office. Walkoviak has been an integral part of the
agency for seven years showing indispensable leadership in district logistics,
finances, grant management, reporting and resource tracking. In addition to
business functions, she actively engages in prescribed burning on the Jones
State Forest and assists with education and outreach events.
Jason Ellis, District Forester IV in Jacksonville, received the D.A.
“Andy” Anderson Information and Education Award. Ellis works tirelessly to
provide sound educational experiences to visitors of the Fairchild State
Forest. He teaches FFA and 4-H members and students from Stephen F. Austin
State University and Texas A&M University.
Michelle Moore, Staff Forester II in Lufkin, received the Director’s
Award for Technical Forestry. Moore leads the agency’s Electronic Land
Management Records program which supports field staff. She is also the Project
Director for Texas Climate Smart Initiative’s Forest Commodity Team.
Matthew Moore, Resource Specialist IV in Palestine, received the Charles
Krenek Award for Resource Specialist. Moore is dedicated to servicing his
district, the agency and all of Texas through wildfire response to assisting
landowners. He has a wealth of knowledge and serves on the Employee Advisory
Council; is an instructor for chainsaw, ATV/UTV and forklift operations; and is
a member of the hand crew.
John Hawkins, District Forester IV in New Boston, received the
Byron “Jeff” Durant Prescribed Fire Excellence Award. Hawkins has planned and
executed prescribed burns on 6,616 acres from 2022 to 2024 in our North Region.
He has strengthened partner relationships which has helped develop the next
generation of prescribed burn managers, ensuring the continued success and
safety of prescribed fire operations.
The Director’s Award for Team Effort – Best Interdivisional
Project was awarded to a group who has elevated the Civil Air Patrol
Partnership, increasing aerial fire detection and forest management. This team
is comprised of Mike Sills, Staff Forester IV in Dallas; Buster Robinson,
Incident Aviation Operations Officer in Palestine; James Russell, Regional
Coordinator in Nacogdoches; Billy Whitworth, Area Operations Chief in
Nacogdoches; and Courtney Blevins, Staff Forester V in Fort Worth.
Texas A&M Forest Service and the Civil Air Patrol have a
Memorandum of Understanding to assist with aerial fire detection. This
partnership helped this group facilitate Wildland Fire Behavior training for
Civil Air Patrol pilots and observers.
Texas A&M Forest Service is proud to recognize agency accomplishments
and employee achievements while looking forward to the future and the coming
year of service.
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Contact
Texas A&M Forest Service Communications Office, 979-458-6600, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu