Robert Farris became Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) in August 2008. Having served as Interim Director since December 2006, Farris oversees the state agency’s leadership, service, and education of Georgia’s forest resources. Since joining the GFC in 1985, Farris has served in a variety of positions as a forester including forest management, wildland firefighter, reforestation program, forest inventory analysis program, District Forester, State Training Coordinator, and Associate Chief of Protection. He has earned the GFC Director’s Award for Outstanding Leadership and the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Service, and was named by Georgia Trend magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians. Farris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Resources from the University of Georgia and is a Georgia Registered Forester. He is a member of the Georgia Forestry Association, a Fellow of the Society of American Foresters, and serves on the Georgia Land Conservation Council, Georgia Water Council, and Georgia Aviation Authority. He and his wife, Beverly, have four children.