Richard is an investor and retired developer of shopping centers and other commercial properties. In earlier years, as general counsel to a public company retailer, he was a principal in the creation of innovative retail chains.
“My grandchildren and all of their generation are going to live in a much degraded environment. Supporting American Forests is the most effective thing I can do to alter that seeming inevitability.”
Jeff is executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer at Iridian Asset Management LLC. He served as Capital Campaign Chair at his alma mater, Williams College. He is an active supporter of environmental and outdoor causes.
“Trees and forests have a deep resonance for me. I grew up surrounded by the oak, apple, and maple trees of New York’s Adirondack foothills. I’m inspired by the more than 140-year commitment of American Forests to restoring threatened forests and believe this work will provide a worthy legacy for generations to come.”
Bruce is the founder of the Campaign for Vermont. Previously, he served as chairman of global equities for JP Morgan Chase & Co. and as co-head of global equities at Bear Stearns, a position he held for 20 years.
“I have been passionate about trees my entire life. I think planting trees is one of the best things we can do for the environment and American Forests plants millions of them every year.”
Jad joined American Forests in 2017 as VP of Conservation Programs and was named President and CEO in 2018 after a year of leading the organization forward on issues like climate change and social equity. Prior to coming to American Forests, Daley served as VP for Program Development at the Trust for Public Land, where he launched the Climate Conservation Program.
“My love of forests was birthed during childhood summers roaming an undeveloped island in Maine. I embrace the Japanese concept of ‘forest bathing’ to calm our minds and hearts, and also the very tangible power of forests to provide everything from wildlife habitat to sustainable wood products. Each tree we plant is a gift that keeps on giving.”
Bill is president of White Investment LLC. He is the chair of the advisory board of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and a member of the executive committee of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness.
“The climate crisis is the decisive global issue of our time and American Forests plays a critical role in understanding and solving one of the planet’s best hopes for climate change mitigation: trees.”
Zim Boulos is the owner of Office Environments and Services (OES), a provider of business furniture since 1981. OES has 27 employees, based in Jacksonville, Florida. Zim is also a past chairman of the City of Jacksonville Economic Development Council.
“From my own experience, I know that trees and parks play a major role in making cities healthier and better places to live. American Forests is a champion for urban forests from coast to coast.”
Jacques Cook is an attorney with over 40 years of experience in international business and financial transactions. He is currently president of JCook & Associates, LLC located in Maryland, a consulting firm advising governments and private companies on public-private partnerships. Cook advocates public-private partnership strategies to preserve and protect our precious woodlands.
“I grew up in an area near Annapolis, MD surrounded by a forest and the Chesapeake Bay. I spent many wonderful times exploring that forest and enjoying boating, crabbing and swimming in that gorgeous bay. Today, many parts of the bay are polluted, and the forest I enjoyed has been replaced by urban sprawl. I want to make sure my children and grandchildren have the opportunity to enjoy our precious forests and waterways that sustain, inspire and nourish us everyday.”
Ara is the corporate sustainability director at Weyerhaeuser, one of the world’s largest private owners of timberlands and one of the largest manufacturers of wood products in North America. The company is proud to manage one of the most sustainable, versatile resources on earth – forests – while making products that people need.
“I unabashedly love forests and am enamored by all the amazing benefits they provide. I believe we can work alongside nature to grow trees to turn into products we all rely on, every day, while at the same time ensuring forests are cleaning the air, filtering water, providing canopy and wildlife habitat, and just being absolutely beautiful and stunning in their own right. American Forests is working to create a world where these benefits are balanced and valued.”
Tom is a high-tech entrepreneur who has worked in the public and private sectors. For example, he founded and led ITXC, an early internet phone company that was publicly listed until acquired by Tata Corp. Its technology now routes most international phone calls. And for the Government of Vermont he has served as the Transportation Secretary, Chief Recovery Officer (after the 2008 recession) and Chief Technology Officer. Tom is on the Board of Directors for Vermont PBS and several other nonprofits.
“My favorite recreation is hiking through the carbon sinks (a.k.a forests) of the Green Mountains. American Forests is at the forefront of presenting and promoting the carbon mitigation benefit of trees and the need for afforestation, reforestation and best forestry practices to increase that benefit.”
Bill serves as division president of the Chubb Group Environmental Risk Division. Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty group.
“I have been a champion in my company for getting more involved in environment and sustainability issues. Working with American Forests has been an important way for us to advance our goals in this area.”
David is Senior Advisor for Government and External Relations at the Electric Power Research Institute. He is an earth scientist by training and life-long environmentalist with 30 years’ experience in energy and environmental policy.
“I’m passionate about climate change and trees, so I was naturally drawn to American Forests’ ground-breaking work in both. While my career has been dedicated to climate, my pastime is teaching my children the magic and majesty of America’s forests, and the joy of planting and caring for trees on our farm in Western Maryland.”
Jeff currently serves as general counsel for the Los Angeles Community College District, one of the largest community colleges in the country. Previously, Jeff was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate as general counsel of the Department of Agriculture and brings exceptional experience working within governmental agencies to leverage positive change for America’s forests on a grand scale.
“It is imperative that low-income and disadvantaged youth in urban places have access to our forests and natural resources. I believe American Forests can play a key role in providing opportunities to the next generation of young people.”
Elisa was previously an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Molloy College in New York, and served as the Chair of the Philosophy Department and Director of the Center for Social and Ethical Concerns. She is also a trustee for the Rapaport Family Charitable Trust, and a volunteer leader with organizations as diverse as the American Red Cross, the Anne Frank Center USA, and the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association.
“I believe in giving back — to my community, to the nation, and to the world. American Forests gives people an effective, tangible way to have an impact on the environment.”
Candace Dodson-Reed is an experienced executive with a 20 plus year career in the public, education and nonprofit sectors. Candace currently serves as the Chief of Staff to the President and Executive Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). Prior to her appointment in 2018, she was the AVP of Communications and Public Affairs at UMBC, a Vice President at the Greater Baltimore Committee and, for almost eight years, served as the Deputy Chief of Staff/Director of Constituent and Community Affairs for Howard County Government.
“The climate crisis and issues of equity and inclusion remain some of the biggest challenges we are facing. AF plays a critical role in addressing both and I am honored to contribute in such a meaningful way as a board member.”
Mary Wagner most recently served as associate chief of the U.S. Forest Service where she stewarded 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands and led a workforce of 28,000 employees. Mary was raised in southern California, where her love for the outdoors grew in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains.
