New employees
Stephen Polk started as the Training & Safety Manager July 17. He recently retired from the USDA Forest Service after 24 years. He has extensive experience in fire suppression, prescribed fire, training and dispatch. A graduate of East Tennessee State University, Stephen lives in Lexington with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys hunting, fishing and hiking.
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!
Piedmont East Unit Forester Jeff Riggin is the Piedmont Assistant Regional Forester as of 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 (864) 915-1924. 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!
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.