STIHL Honors Ideal Logging, 2007 National Outstanding Logger
Release Date: March 8th, 2007
Press Contacts:
Anita Gambill
(757) 486-9151
Terry Kelley
(757) 340-7425
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STIHL Incorporated
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Rockville, MD – STIHL Inc. honored Tommy Barnes and David Cox, owners of Edgemoor, South Carolina’s Ideal Logging, Inc., as the 2007 National Outstanding Logger at the Forest Resources Association’s March 4 Awards Dinner in San Antonio, Texas. STIHL’s Kent Hall congratulated the two and presented them with a $1,000 check.
Tommy Barnes recounted his years building his logging business and the decision that led him to partner with forester David Cox: “Never thought of having a business partner. Never dreamed of it. The Lord sent me a wonderful business partner. Procurement forester. Clemson graduate. But the Lord has plans. It’s a wonderful ride.”
David Cox joined his partner in thanking their main customer, Bowater, as well as STIHL, “I’m humbled. There’s a lot of loggers out there. I don’t know what we did, but I hope we keep doing it.”
Tommy Barnes and David Cox have a solid partnership that accentuates each other’s strengths. David says, “We’re a good team. He’s a people person and one of the most knowledgeable loggers I know. Tommy can fix anything and is an excellent mechanic. I’ve learned a lot from him.”
Tommy responds, “I couldn’t have a finer partner. He keeps the business running, does the paperwork, and goes out on the job. Without David, I couldn’t do volunteer work or participate in all the organizations I’m in.”
Tommy is a founding member and current Chairman of the South Carolina Timber Producers Association. He serves on the American Loggers Council’s Board, representing South Carolina, and on the Board of Directors of the Wood Supply Research Institute. Both Tommy and David assisted Bowater in developing a sustainable forestry education trail with the Catawba, South Carolina mill and have hosted numerous harvesting tours to educate the public about environmentally friendly timber harvesting.
Kim Kirby, a forest landowner in Fairfield County, South Carolina, has this to say about Ideal Logging: “They are trustworthy, professional, and the quality of work is superb. They conducted themselves with my best interest in mind, not only looking out for my timber but also respecting my land. I can think of no one better to receive the Outstanding Logger Award than Tommy and David.”
FRA has honored 18 National Outstanding Loggers since establishing the national award in 1990. Recent National Outstanding Loggers include Michigan’s Dave and Sue Sidell (2002), Ken and Lynetta Griner of Florida (2003), John and Nipper Bunn of Georgia (2004), Mitchell and Wanda Presley of Alabama (2005), and last year’s Adrian Bishop, also of South Carolina. Nominees for this year’s award passed through state-level recognition to regional award programs administered through FRA’s Regional Division structure. A jury of 25 national-level leaders in forestry and conservation selects the winner.
The other nominees for this year’s National award were:
Dave & Trish Bekkevar, Bekkevar Logging & Trucking Inc., Sequim, Washington
The Cessna Brothers, Cessna Brothers, Inc., Clearville, Pennsylvania
John Conkey, J.H. Conkey & Sons Logging, Belchertown, Massachusetts
The Parnell Family, Parnell Inc., Maplesville, Alabama
The Outstanding Logger program is designed:
- To recognize outstanding logging contractor performance;
- To raise the visibility of competent, professional independent logging contractors in the forestry community;
- To encourage other independent logging contractors to emulate the outstanding performance of the award winners; and
- To improve forester-logger relations by publicly recognizing outstanding logging performance as an essential element of every planned timber harvest.
About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world’s largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast— not mass merchants. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com.
For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to www.stihlcareers.com. STIHL is an EEO and drug-free work environment.
About Forest Resources Association Inc.
Forest Resources Association Inc. is a nonprofit trade association concerned with the safe, efficient, and sustainable harvest of forest products and their transport from woods to mill. FRA represents wood consumers, independent logging contractors, and wood dealers, as well as businesses providing products and services to the forest resource-based industries.
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