There were so many employee recognition entries this go-round that it warranted its own page! Keep up the great work!
Forest Health Program Manager David Jenkins recently received an email highlighting Invasive Species Coordinator Katie Biggert’s efforts and partnership with Clemson Extension, which earns her an “attagirl!”
Dear Mr. Jenkins,
My name is Carmen Ketron, and I am the program lead for the new Volunteer Invasives Scouting Program through Clemson Extension. I am writing to express my deepest appreciation for the outstanding contributions of your team member, Katie Biggert, to the Scouting Program. I wanted to make sure her exceptional work was shouted from the rooftops.
Over the course of our collaboration, Katie has been an invaluable partner. She was central to the successful training of 25 volunteers, who are now equipped to serve as eyes on the ground for invasive species detection across South Carolina. That alone is a significant accomplishment, but I wanted to let you know how grateful the team and the volunteers are at the care, creativity, and professionalism she brought to every aspect of the program.
Katie developed training experiences that were genuinely engaging and accessible to volunteers of varying backgrounds and experience levels. Her ability to translate complex invasive species identification into approachable, practical learning is a rare skill, and our volunteers noticed. The enthusiasm and confidence they carried out of training is a direct reflection of her talent as an educator and her deep commitment to this work.
I wanted to brag on the book as well. Katie created a beautifully designed field identification book that volunteers can carry with them as they scout in the field. This resource is professional, thorough, and represents exactly the kind of tool that turns a motivated volunteer into an effective one. We identified late in the game that the volunteers wanted/needed it, but Katie turned it around in weeks. This is an invaluable tool for the volunteers, without which they would not be fully equipped.
The partnership between Clemson Extension and the South Carolina Forestry Commission is made stronger with every interaction we have with Katie. Her responsiveness, expertise, and genuine enthusiasm for this mission make our collaboration feel effortless, even when the work behind it is anything but.
Please know that Katie’s work has made a lasting impact. Because of her efforts, 25 trained volunteers (and many more to come) are prepared to identify and monitor our forests and green spaces from the threat of invasive species.
Thank you for supporting and investing in a team member who gives so much to the work she does. Katie is an exceptional colleague and an extraordinary asset to the Forestry Commission and to the people of South Carolina
Respectfully,
Carmen Ketron, Urban Horticulture Agent, Clemson Cooperative Extension
Landowners in Richland County wrote a letter to State Forester Scott Phillips after a fire spread to their property Jan. 11.
The landowners express their thanks to Lexington/Richland Sector FMO Sam St. Louis and Lexington/Richland Sector Wildland Firefighters Joey Lemmon, Tony Campbell and Daniel Speares for their hard work, earning each of them an “attaboy!”
While working on the Wood Magic Forest Fair Annual Report, Environmental Education Program Manager Matt Schnabel came across a comment that earns Communications and Public Information Director Doug Wood an “attaboy!”
What did you like most about the Wood Magic Forest Fair? Why?
“The Gifts of the Forest station.
Doug was hilarious and kept the students completely engaged using hands-on materials, costumes and props, and live examples to illustrate the concepts he was teaching.
The kids spent the entire time laughing while learning.
It was wonderful to see them excited and involved, making it a highlight of my day!”
Kayla Miller
Teacher at Kinsbury Elementary School
Coastal Region Dispatcher Loretta Reid earns THREE “attagirls” for her professionalism, skill and attention to detail, as referenced in an email from Santee Unit Forester Anneta Pritchard, as well as her compassion and patience, highlighted by Coastal Region Dispatch Manager Christina Raby. Statewide Dispatch Operations Coordinator Kelly Banks chimed in, too, noting Loretta’s dedication and accuracy with records and reports.
Good Morning,
I wanted to take a minute to express my gratitude to dispatcher Loretta Reid. I have worked with Loretta my entire career. She has always showed the highest level of professionalism. It is a great comfort to hear her voice on the other end of the radio. Her confidence and competence inspire trust, and firefighters know they are fully supported. Even on the busiest days, Loretta consistently provides detailed, accurate, and timely notes in FiResponse that serve as a vital resource for firefighters. Her documentation offers clear insight into evolving conditions, helping crews build and maintain strong situational awareness. This level of support is critical, as situational awareness is directly tied to operational effectiveness and, most importantly, firefighter safety. Her commitment to thoroughness and clarity ensures that personnel in the field have the information they need to make informed, safe decisions.
I am thankful for her as well as all our dispatchers. The value and criticalness of their support is immeasurable.
Anneta S. Pritchard, Santee Unit Forester
Good afternoon,
Thank you so much for the recognition of Loretta. She is an all-around amazing dispatcher. When she works, things are always done to the best of her ability and policy. Her patience with other dispatchers and the field shows her compassion for the job. Loretta was my trainer when I first started forestry as a dispatcher. Her level of patience, understanding, and continuance by my side even after training gave me the level of confidence to be a good dispatcher and later into my management position I’m in today. I seek and consider her input a lot when making some decisions as she gives great advice, which is needed when trying to implement new things with the dispatchers. Her skills, her patience, and her years of experience makes her a major asset to me and to the Forestry Commission! I am blessed to have her!
Thanks,
Christina Raby, Coastal Region Dispatch Manager
Sorry for the late rely to this, but I did want to express my sincere appreciation to not only Anneta for writing this and sharing it, but also to Loretta for being such a fantastic dispatcher and always giving 150% to her job. I’ve always been able to rely on her for being able to find something relating to a procedure from the past or even a verbal memo that I had said years prior and couldn’t remember the exact details when I was manager. She’s always been very thorough and accurate with her records and reports. There’s not much, if anything, that she misses. And her ability to learn this new CAD system we have now and test out the burn notifications every way possible has been invaluable to both me and Dispatch as a whole. I hope we will have her for a very long time. She’s one of a kind!
Kelly Banks, Statewide Dispatch Operations Coordinator
Forest Management Chief Russell Hubright gets an “attaboy” for his recent block grant presentation!
“Russell, You knocked it out of the ballpark with your block grant presentation to the Greenville Forestry and Wildlife Society.
Excellent delivery with landowner understanding. Forty-seven people attended. Largest group in years indicating subject interest.
The one page handout on Steps for Landowners is great, roadmap that gives direction.
I appreciated working with you and all you do.”
Walt McPhail
Former Chairman, SC Forestry Commission
Edgefield/McCormick/Saluda Sector FMO Colton Webb and other SCFC representatives earn “attaboys” from recent customer surveys!
“Colton Webb was very responsive, courteous and respectful of both me and my property.”
Landowner in McCormick County
“Great experience dealing with the SCFC rep! Thank you.”
Landowner in Dorchester County who applied for FRP cost-share
“Great team!”
Landowner in Darlington County who received FRP cost-share