by Scott Phillips, SC State Forester
Earlier this year I made a strategic decision to reorganize the Resource Development functions to better position the agency for the challenges and opportunities ahead. South Carolina’s forest economy is shifting rapidly: mill closures, emerging markets, new industry recruitment and the growing need for strong data and analysis all demand a more focused and coordinated approach.
With Tim Adams’ retirement this summer, we took the opportunity to evaluate how these essential functions should be structured going forward. Resource Development previously operated as a Division under Tim’s leadership; through this realignment, it has been restructured as a Section within the Forestry Division, creating clearer alignment with our other core operational areas.
Tim’s expertise was exceptionally broad, and rather than trying to replicate that wide-ranging skillset in a single position, we redistributed responsibilities to strengthen long-term capacity. Earlier this year, Best Management Practices and Nursery & Tree Improvement moved to the Forest Management Section; Holly Welch now reports directly to Section Chief Russell Hubright, and N&TI is managed under State Lands by James Douglas.
The programs of Economic Development, FIA, Forest Analysis and Marketing remain together as the newly focused Resource Development Section within the Forestry Division, reporting to Deputy State Forester Tom Patton along with Forest Management, Forest Protection and Regional Operations.
I am pleased to announce that Guy Sabin has been selected as the new Resource Development Section Chief, and we are actively recruiting the new Economic Development Officer, funded through our FY2025-26 budget.
This strategic realignment positions the Forestry Commission to better support forest businesses, strengthen markets and respond effectively to a rapidly changing forest economy.