The Washington State Society of American Foresters is one of 30 societies forming the Society of American Foresters (SAF). Our society is comprised of professional foresters and forestry students throughout the state of Washington.
Our members play a major role in managing Washington’s 22 million acres of forest land. These forests provide a variety of benefits for Washingtonians and the nation in the form of wildlife, water, recreation, and timber and other forest products.
There are 10 chapters and student chapters that comprise WSSAF: Admiralty Inlet, Central Washington, Grays Harbor College Student Chapter, Green River College Student Chapter, Longview, Mid-Columbia, North Olympic, North Puget Sound, South Puget Sound, Southwest Washington, University of Washington Student Chapter.
We govern in accordance to our society’s bylaws and are a registered 501(c)3. The executive committee meets monthly to discuss state society business.
Meet the Leadership
LUKE SEMLER
Chair
Luke works for the US Forest Service.
MARISA BASS
Past Chair
Marisa is the Chehalis District Manager for American Forest Management. Marisa is a graduate in Forestry from the University of Washington.
DARREN GOODDING
Treasurer
MARGARET KREDER
Secretary
Margaret Kreder is currently the Stewardship Forester at Mason Conservation District, in Shelton, WA. She is a graduate of Washington State University and has been a member of SAF since 2016. Margaret is also a member of the Washington Farm Forestry Association and is a Tree Farm Program Inspector.
CHRIS SCHNEPF
Board Member, District 1 Representative
Chris Schnepf is an Area Extension Educator with University of Idaho Extension.
HARRY BELL
North Olympic Chapter Chair
Harry has been involved in Olympic forestry work since 1979 first with ITT Rayonier 1979-1992 and later with Green Crow 1992-2015. Harry operates Bell Forestry serving as a Forest Research Consultant for WFFA involving Adaptive Management. Harry holds a MS in Applied Forest Genetics from University of Washington, BS in Forest Management from West Virginia University and AS in Applied Science in Forestry from Paul Smith’s College. Harry has been an SAF member since 1969, is an SAF Fellow and Golden Member.
SAMANTHA CHANG
North Puget Sound Chapter Chair
BRADY DIER
Southwest Washington Chapter Chair
Brady is a Assistance Forester with the Washington Department of Natural Resources out of Chehalis, WA.
TBD
Green River College
ANDREW PERLEBERG
Mid-Columbia Chapter Chair
Andy serves as a Washington State University Extension Forester.
TBA
Grays Harbor College Chapter
STEPHEN RICKETTS
Admiralty Inlet Chapter Chair
Steve is a retired USDA Forest Service – Olympic National Forest. Steve is a SAF Fellow and Golden Member and lives in Port Hadlock, WA. Steve serves as WSSAF Historian and volunteers at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum and other local historical museums.
JOHN GROSS
Longview Chapter Chair
John worked 19 years with International Paper Co. in Longview, WA primarily as a Reforestation Forester. He finished my working career as a teacher for the Longview School District where I taught Forestry and Natural Resources while managing an Outdoor Education Center. He has been a member of SAF for about 45 years.
AARON GOODMAN
South Puget Sound Chapter Chair
.
Aaron currently works as the Harvesting Area Manager for Manulife Forest Management North Cascades Region based out of Graham, WA. He is a Cal Poly Humboldt graduate and has been an SAF member since 2015. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, camping, and is a Mariners fan
TBA
University of Washington Student Chapter
