Arnold Hameister of Conway, Arkansas, is joining ATPA as Director of Logger Training, following the retirement of our first-ever and longstanding Director, George Lease, this August after more than 24 years in that role. Arnold is new to this formal position, but not new to valuable service to ATPA. He joins us after a 37-year-career with the Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC), and numerous years working with ATPA on our mechanized logging inspections, as well as in coordination with George as part of the Ark Pro Logger Program. His last role with AFC was Best Management Practices for Water Quality program coordinator, though in his lengthy AFC career, Arnold held multiple roles. We believe Arnold will continue to effectively manage our Ark Pro Logger training program with an eye to an ever-changing industry and its needs for innovation in timber harvesting, environmental conservation and safety. He has spent several months listening to volunteers and those who advise the program, to determine ways to build on the success of the existing program, with an eye of improving scheduling, registration, communication and even offerings.

We are excited to have him join our team in a full-time capacity. For those of you who interface with our training programs, we hope you will give him a warm welcome.