J. Keith Gilless, San Francisco. He was the dean of the College of Natural Resources between 2008 to 2018 and professor of forest economics since 1983 at the University of California, Berkeley. He received a doctorate in forestry and agricultural economics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Dr. Gilless was named chair of the Board in March of 2013.

Darcy Wheeles is a Director at California Environmental Associates (CEA). Darcy provides regulatory and policy analysis, strategy, and advocacy for companies and organizations doing business in California on air quality, energy, and climate change issues. Darcy helps clients develop and implement collaborative, multi-stakeholder approaches which both lower costs and improve environmental quality. Darcy has more than 15 years of experience facilitating relationships with regulatory agencies and environmental NGOs on behalf of clients in the renewable energy and transportation sectors and advising and managing trade associations. She is also an experienced writer, facilitator, and project manager. Additionally, Darcy spent several years working with cities and counties to evaluate proposed development within their jurisdictions and develop long-range plans, including updating general plans. Darcy has a bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from Stanford University with a focus in Environmental Policy and Marine Biology.

Mike Jani works as a Senior Advisor for Mendocino and Humboldt Redwood Companies. Collectively the timberlands consist of approximately 440,000 acres of redwood and Douglas-fir Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified forestlands located along the north coast of California. Prior to joining Mendocino Redwood Company in 1999, Mike worked for Big Creek Lumber Company in Santa Cruz County, California for 24 years where he held a number of positions, including Chief Forester. Big Creek Lumber was the first company in California’s redwood region to be certified under the Forest Stewardship Council’s program. During that time he also was on the Board and served a term as President of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau. In 2008, Mendocino Redwood Company acquired Humboldt Redwood Company (formerly Pacific Lumber Company) and Mike became President of the new company and Chief Forester of both companies. Additionally, Mike is an FSC certified Professional Resource Manager which allows him to engage with several non-industrial forest landowners and bring their lands into the FSC program.

Richard Wade, Pollock Pines. He has held multiple positions at Sierra Pacific Industries since 1995, including district manager and district forester. He was a forester at the Cal Oak Lumber Company from 1983 to 1995 and at James Nicklos and Associates from 1980 to 1983. Wade was a harvest inspector for the U.S. Forest Service from 1979 to 1980 and a forester at Western Timber Services Inc. from 1978 to 1979. He is treasurer on the Forestry Educators Inc. Board of Directors. Wade is a member of the El Dorado County Resource Advisory Committee, the Amador-El Dorado Forest Forum, California Licensed Foresters Association, the Society of American Foresters and the California Native Plant Society.

Susan Husari, San Rafael. She served as a pacific west regional fire management officer for the U.S. National Park Service from 2002 to 2012 and held multiple positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service from 1991 to 2002, including deputy director of fire and aviation management and assistant director of fire and aviation management. Husari served in multiple positions at Everglades National Park from 1987 to 1991, including fire management officer and assistant fire management officer and was a forestry technician at Pinnacles National Park from 1981 to 1983. She was a firefighter and engine operator at Lassen National Forest from 1976 to 1981 and a seasonal firefighter at Klamath National Forest in 1975.

Marc Los Huertos, 52, of Claremont, has been appointed to the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. Los Huertos has been an associate professor of environmental analysis at Pomona College since 2014. He served in several positions at California State University, Monterey Bay from 2006 to 2014, including co-director of the Watershed Institute, associate professor and assistant professor. Los Huertos served as assistant research faculty at the University of California, Santa Cruz from 2001 to 2004. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in environmental studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Katie Delbar, Potter Valley. Katie has been county executive director at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency for Humboldt and Del Norte Counties since 1998 and for Mendocino and Lake Counties since 1992. She was a program technician for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service from 1989 to 1992. Delbar is president of the California Association of Farm Service Agency County Office Employees and a member of the Potter Valley Community Parks and Recreation Board of Directors and the Potter Valley Community Unified School District School Board.

Christopher Chase of Mount Shasta, has been appointed to the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. Chase has been timberland manager for the Michigan-California Timber Company and timber manager for its affiliate, Timber Products Company, since 2010. He has held several positions at Timber Products Company since 1997, including timber manager, log and fiber procurement manager, resource manager for the Michigan hardwood veneer and lumber division. Chase is a licensed professional forester. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from the University of Montana and a Master of Business Management degree from Southern Oregon University.