Whaley Named Forester Of The Year

NASHVILLE — Paul Whaley is the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry’s Forester of the Year. The annual award recognizes a Division forester who demonstrates outstanding effort and work accomplishments for the previous year. Candidates for the award are nominated and selected by a group of peers within the agency.

“This award is a great honor and I congratulate Paul,” Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton said. “His dedication to the landowners of Tennessee runs deeps and everywhere he goes his good-hearted, hard-working reputation precedes him.”

“Paul has been a tremendous asset to the Division,” State Forester Jere Jeter said “With his technical and professional experience, we are fortunate to have such a dedicated individual working with the citizens of the state.”

Whaley has served as Area Forester in Wayne and Hardin Counties in the Highland Rim District since 2003. He is primarily tasked with assisting private landowners with the management of their forestlands. In addition, he has served as an instructor for the annual FFA Forestry Camp for the past 14 years.

“This past year Paul served on a development team to streamline reporting accomplishments for Division personnel. This, along with his regular duties of landowner assistance, is the reason Paul was selected for this award,” District Forester Jeffrey Piatt said.

“I feel fortunate to work with a lot of great people here at the Forestry Division,” Whaley said. “I enjoy helping landowners manage their trees and forests, as well as providing other Division services such as fire prevention and protection, insect and disease monitoring, and water quality inspections.” 

Whaley is a resident of Hardin County. He enjoys farming in his spare time. He is a member of the Hardin and Wayne Counties’ Forestry Associations.

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