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 as District Forester in Milledgeville, Statewide 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.  Farris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Resources from the University of Georgia. He is a Georgia Registered Forester, a Georgia Certified Prescribed Burner and a Georgia Certified Pesticide Applicator.  He is a member of the Society of American Foresters, in which he has served a number of leadership positions, and is a member of the Georgia Forestry Association.  He and his wife, Beverly, have four children.