“SAF’s Board is convinced that Matt is the best person to lead SAF beyond our one hundred and fourteenth year,” said SAF President Dave Walters.
Bethesda, MD (PRWEB) May 15, 2014
The Society of American Foresters (SAF) has hired Matthew E. Menashes as its new Chief Executive Officer. Menashes, who will begin his new role on June 2, will succeed SAF’s previous executive, Michael T. Goergen, who left SAF in September 2013.
As Chief Executive Officer, Menashes will work in partnership with the SAF Council and SAF staff to strengthen the organization and develop new strategies that add value and promote customer service and communication for SAF’s membership. He will also be responsible for overseeing the daily operations at the SAF National Office, and, in conjunction with the SAF President, serve as spokesperson for the Society and professional forestry.
"The Society has a proud history of advancing scientific knowledge, public policy, and academic achievement throughout its 100-plus years," said Menashes. "As forestry continues to evolve, SAF will too, helping its members advance forestry practice, connect with each other, and expand relationships with partners in other natural resources professions. I look forward to working with our 12,000 members to continue their personal growth and evolution and building on Michael Goergen's work."
Menashes comes to SAF from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) in Washington, DC, where he served as Director of Operations from 2010 to 2014.
"Matt Menashes has been an important part of the leadership team for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies," said Ron Regan, AFWA Executive Director. "We have benefited greatly from his business and managerial acumen at the Association. We will miss him, but wish him well for this exciting new phase of his career."
Before AFWA, Menashes served as Executive Director of the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Paddlesports Industry Association.
This announcement of SAF’s new Chief Executive Officer concludes an extensive executive search performed by a search committee composed of SAF volunteer leaders working with executive search firm Signature Search.
SAF President Dave Walters, CF, said Menashes is a voracious learner and strategic thinker who will implement the goals and set the direction for SAF as it works to ensure thriving forests across the nation, provide essential resources to natural resources professionals, and build strong communities among the forestry profession, its allies, related disciplines, and the public.
“SAF’s Board is convinced that Matt is the best person to lead SAF beyond our one hundred and fourteenth year,” said Walters. “His experience and skills will insure that SAF’s tradition of excellent leaders, which began with Gifford Pinchot, will continue, and his commitment to advancing forest management and serving our natural resource partners is exciting.”
For more information, contact: Louise Murgia, SAF Interim Executive Vice-President and Senior Director of Field Services at 866-897-8720, ext. 118, or murgial(at)safnet(dot)org.
The Society of American Foresters (SAF) is the national scientific and educational organization representing the forestry profession in the United States. Founded in 1900 by Gifford Pinchot, it is the largest professional society for foresters in the world. The mission of the Society of American Foresters is to advance the science, education, technology, and practice of forestry. A 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, SAF members include natural resource professionals in public and private settings, researchers, CEOs, administrators, educators, and students.