New employees
Erica Brazile started Aug. 4 as the agency’s Classification & Compensation Manager. This is Erica’s second stint with the agency, previously having served as Human Resources Manager.
Her phone number is (803) 896-8871. Please welcome Erica back to the Forestry Commission!
Jennifer Coleman started Aug. 18 as the agency’s Procurement Manager. Jennifer is also returning to the Forestry Commission after a brief departure for another agency; she steps back into her old role, office and phone number, (803) 896-8836, and we’re excited to have her back!
Chase Land started as the Pickens County Project Forester on Sept. 2. He lives in Salem and graduated from Clemson University in 2023 with his bachelor’s in forestry. Just a year later, he earned his master’s in forest resources from Clemson, where he was also a member of the shotgun team. In his free time, Chase enjoys hunting and fishing.
Helen Mohr is the new Upstate Firewise Field Coordinator. She started Aug. 18 and lives in Seneca. She will be working out of the Pickens office and will handle fire prevention in the upstate. Helen earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree from Clemson University. She previously worked with the USFS in the upstate for 27 years. Helen has two children: one at Clemson for nursing and one at Oregon State for parks and recreation. In her spare time, Helen enjoys time on the lake.
On the move…
Ben Kendall is the new Assistant Fire Chief. Ben has been with the agency for 11 years, serving as a project forester, assistant director as Manchester State Forest and most recently as MSF’s forest director. Ben will supervise the agency’s Firewise & Prevention coordinator, chief pilot and Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA)/Incident Management Team (IMT) coordinator.
His new cell phone number is (803) 629-7502. Congratulations, Ben!
Jeff Riggin is now the Piedmont Assistant Regional Forester starting August 2. Jeff started his career with the agency in 2006 as a Forest Inventory & Analysis (FIA) crew member. He became a project forester in 2008 and worked in that position for 10 years before becoming the Piedmont East Unit Forester in 2018.
His new cell phone number is (803) 230-0143. Congratulations, Jeff!
Allendale/Hampton/Jasper Sector Wildland Firefighter Stacey DeLoach was promoted to Fire Management Officer July 17.
His new cell phone number is (803) 942-1252. Congratulations, Stacey!
Congratulations to Chase Folk, the new Piedmont East Unit Forester. Chase started with the agency at Sand Hills State Forest in 1998. He became the Cherokee/York Project Forester in 1999. Chase moved to the Newberry/Fairfield Project Forester position in early 2002 and has been working in the Newberry Office since then. During his time in Newberry, Chase has also worked as project forester in Laurens, Lexington, Richland and Union counties. He also temporarily served as the Richland/Fairfield Fire Supervisor (while also doing project forester work) for about two years. Chase enjoys spending time with his wife and children, as well as enjoying time outdoors, hunting and working at the family farm. His new phone number is 803-230-0143.
Katelyn Warren is now a full-time dispatcher for the Piedmont Region. She started her career with the Forestry Commission in November 2023 as a temporary dispatcher. Congratulations, Katelyn!
Farewells
Coastal Mechanic Norris Bryant separated from the agency July 1.
Piedmont Urban Forester Dena Whitesides separated from the agency July 7.
Harbison State Forest Technician Kirkland Martin separated from the agency July 16.
Sand Hills State Forest General Maintenance Technician Tommy Williams separated from the agency July 16.
FIA Forester Lila Cantrell separated from the agency Sept. 12.
Environmental Education Coordinator Matt Schnabel separated from the agency Sept. 23.
Baby News
Pee Dee Dispatcher Donte Brinkley and his wife, Arlette, welcomed a baby girl July 31. Arlaya Theora Brinkley weighed 8 lbs. and was 21 inches long. All are doing well. Congratulations, Donte!
Pee Dee Dispatcher Barbara Bazen is a proud grandparent of Colsen Fields Bazen. He was born July 31 weighing 7 lbs., 13 oz. and was 20 inches long. This is Barbara’s sixth grandchild. Congratulations, Barbara!