SACRAMENTO, California
,
November 30, 2023
(press release)
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Lifelong forester, regulatory expert and mentor honored for career of service to California’s forestry industry
George “YG” Gentry, senior vice president of the California Forestry Association (Calforests), was honored today as the winner of this year’s Francis H. Raymond Award for Outstanding Contributions to California Forestry by the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. This award, presented to Gentry at the Board’s meeting, is bestowed to someone who has made outstanding contributions to the management of California’s natural resources, including volunteer participation and professional achievements. Gentry, whose career spans almost all aspects of the forestry profession, from developing timber harvest plans and overseeing logging operations to helping develop innovative and proactive policies, embodies the spirit of the Francis H. Raymond Award. “I am truly honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Gentry. “The forest industry has given me so much and allowed me to establish wonderful relationships I will cherish forever. I am proud of the work we have done to make California’s timberlands more productive and sustainable, and I am more motivated than ever to continue to make sure our state leads the way in creating the timber industry of the future.” Gentry, who earned his nickname (short for “young growth”) working alongside his father, has been a lifelong pillar of California’s timber and forestry industry. After graduating from Humboldt State University in 1983, Gentry started his career appraising forest inventory and developing and management plans for forest owners across California. In 2002, Gentry joined the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection as Assistant Executive Officer and Executive Officer of Foresters Licensing, gaining a promotion to Executive Officer one year later, and serving in that position for 12 years. In that role, he helped develop a strategic fire plan and numerous other regulations, as well as served on several important working groups and advisory committees. Gentry joined Calforests in 2015 as vice president, moving up to senior vice president in 2018. At Calforests, Gentry has distinguished himself as one of the state’s preeminent experts in regulatory affairs for the timber industry, using his knowledge to help shape forward-looking policies. That includes the passage of SB901, which will meaningfully increase forest fuel hazard reduction work that keeps California’s timberlands safer from dangerous wildfires. Gentry has also co-chaired the Wildfire and Forest Resilience working group addressing permit synchronization. “I have worked with YG for more than eight years now, and I learn something new from him every day,” said Matt Dias, President and CEO, Calforests. “YG is a legend of California’s forestry industry, and I could not think of someone who deserves this award more than him. We are lucky to have him at Calforests!” Not only is he esteemed as a true leader and visionary in the forest industry, Gentry has also played an important role in cultivating the next generation. He has been a longtime mentor for Calforests interns, and serves as a licensed Registered Professional Forester exam preparation instructor and grader. Gentry has been a member and chair of the California Licensed Forester Association (CLFA), and has organized several workshops for the CLFA on topics ranging from geology, business, management planning, erosion control and site preparation.
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