Featured Foresters
This page is for showcasing our Michigan Foresters and the great work they do. If you would like to add a featured forester -
please email Brittany VanderWall at [email protected].
please email Brittany VanderWall at [email protected].
Tom Davidson's Leadership Nature Podcast
S3|E22: Brandon Bal – Winning isn’t everything but wanting to win is
By Tom Davidson
Brandon Bal is an Area Manager for American Forest Management (AFM) in Houghton, Michigan, near where earned his B.S. in forestry at Michigan Tech. Brandon leveraged some of AFM’s programs and was able to further his education online while he was still working. On the show, Brandon explains the benefits of advancing your education online, how to manage and work with more veteran foresters, and the leadership lessons he’s learned from work and one his favorite reads, Band of Brothers. He adds on this program, “As long as we’re striving for the same goal, we will always be successful.”
Brandon Bal is an Area Manager for American Forest Management (AFM) in Houghton, Michigan, near where earned his B.S. in forestry at Michigan Tech. Brandon leveraged some of AFM’s programs and was able to further his education online while he was still working. On the show, Brandon explains the benefits of advancing your education online, how to manage and work with more veteran foresters, and the leadership lessons he’s learned from work and one his favorite reads, Band of Brothers. He adds on this program, “As long as we’re striving for the same goal, we will always be successful.”
S3|E8: Andy Van Dyke – If you’re not challenged, you’re dyin’
By Tom Davidson
Andy Van Dyke is Forest Operations Supervisor for J.M. Longyear in Marquette, MI where he works as the Forest Operations Supervisor, leading and working with a team of seven foresters to manage both company and private lands for the company. Andy is also Chairman of the Michigan Society of American Foresters. On this week’s show, Andy discusses the subtle differences between working with an older generation and working with millennials. He also discusses some of the top qualities in what makes a great leader and how to develop yourself as a leader.
Andy Van Dyke is Forest Operations Supervisor for J.M. Longyear in Marquette, MI where he works as the Forest Operations Supervisor, leading and working with a team of seven foresters to manage both company and private lands for the company. Andy is also Chairman of the Michigan Society of American Foresters. On this week’s show, Andy discusses the subtle differences between working with an older generation and working with millennials. He also discusses some of the top qualities in what makes a great leader and how to develop yourself as a leader.
S3|E3: Lee Mueller – Find your niche. Discover what you’re really good at, and get your personal brand going.
By Tom Davidson
Lee Mueller is a forestry specialist and project developer with The Davey Tree Expert Company. He is also a Certified Arborist and Registered Forester with B.S. and M.S. degrees in forestry from Michigan State University. On today’s episode, Lee discusses why it’s important to develop your personal brand, the benefits of being curious and exploring different paths in the forestry profession, why he prefers colleagues to mentors for learning, and so much more!
Lee Mueller is a forestry specialist and project developer with The Davey Tree Expert Company. He is also a Certified Arborist and Registered Forester with B.S. and M.S. degrees in forestry from Michigan State University. On today’s episode, Lee discusses why it’s important to develop your personal brand, the benefits of being curious and exploring different paths in the forestry profession, why he prefers colleagues to mentors for learning, and so much more!
S2|E13: Brittany VanderWall – Leaders have a strong vision and aren’t afraid to fail
By Tom Davidson
Brittany VanderWall is the District Forester at Presque Isle Conservation District in Michigan. The very first people who shaped Brittany’s view on leadership were mentors from school. Brittany draws the connection between good leaders and good music directors; both need to paint a very clear vision for their teams so that everyone can work together to achieve a common goal. She says that at the end of the day, it’s about recognizing everyone’s strengths and weaknesses, so that you can put them in a position to win. Brittany also speaks to a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. in this episode, which was that a genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.
Brittany VanderWall is the District Forester at Presque Isle Conservation District in Michigan. The very first people who shaped Brittany’s view on leadership were mentors from school. Brittany draws the connection between good leaders and good music directors; both need to paint a very clear vision for their teams so that everyone can work together to achieve a common goal. She says that at the end of the day, it’s about recognizing everyone’s strengths and weaknesses, so that you can put them in a position to win. Brittany also speaks to a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. in this episode, which was that a genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.
