Brent Keefer brings over 31 years of experience to his position as Chief Executive Officer.  Brent is responsible for leading the American Forest Management organization which includes 49 offices throughout 11 regions and over 284 employees.  As CEO, he focuses on developing, communicating, and executing the company’s strategic direction.  Prior to joining AFM, Brent served as the president of Hancock Timber Resource Group.  He serves on the Board of Directors of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative®, is a member of the Society of American Foresters and a regular speaker at timberland investment conferences and seminars.  Brent earned his bachelors and master’s degrees from Virginia Tech.

Tom has over 31 years' experience in forestry and the land business and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from North Carolina State University. He is a licensed real estate salesman in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina; a North Carolina licensed real estate broker; a registered forester in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina; a member of the Georgia Forestry Association; and a board member of the Forest Landowners Association. 

Throughout his time at American Forest Management, he has held various roles in both the forestry and real estate segments of the business. He has worked on land management, brokerage and acquisition projects across the United States and Central America. As President, he oversees numerous departments including real estate, appraisal services, risk management, resource planning, technical services, marketing and client development.

His specialties include acquisitions and dispositions, timberland investments, land management, environmental services and GIS and timber inventory.

Susan M. Crawford brings over 26 years’ experience to her role as Chief Financial Officer. She is responsible for oversight and direction of all American Forest Management internal accounting functions.

Prior to becoming Chief Financial Officer, Sue worked as AFM Controller and in various accounting positions with Canal Forest Resources and Morehead City Terminals. Sue is a graduate of Guilford College and a North Carolina Licensed Certified Public Accountant.

David Cole brings over 33 years of experience to his role as Director, Northern Operations. He oversees AFM’s forest and land management operations in Maine, New Hampshire, Michigan and Wisconsin.  David is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry. He is a registered forester in North Carolina and a Maine Licensed Forester. David received the Maine Forest Products Council Outstanding Forester Award in 2013. 

Dennis Dart brings over 22 years of experience to his role as Director, Western Operations.  He is responsible for the oversight of AFM’s forest and land management business throughout the Western United States.  Dennis earned his Bachelor of Science from Humboldt State University in Northern California.  He is a Society of American Foresters Certified Forester, a member of the Association of Consulting Foresters, and a Board of Trustees Member of the Washington Forest Protection Association. 

Chuck Mathis brings over 33 years of experience to his role as AFM’s Director, Southern Operations.  He is responsible for the oversight of the forest and land management operations throughout the southern United States as well as AFM’s Wood Flow Group.  He earned his associate degree from Chipola Junior College, his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida.  He is a registered forester in Alabama and Mississippi, and a licensed real estate broker in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi.  He is a Society of American Foresters Certified Forester, holds his Florida Master Logger certificate, served as past chair of the Florida SFI® SIC committee, and a member of the Forest Landowners Association and the Florida Forestry Association. 

Gary Bratton brings over 30 years’ experience in rural land and timberland appraisal, management, and analysis. As Director, Appraisal Services, Gary is responsible for the oversight of appraisal service for timberland investment management organizations, trusts, government agencies, financial institutions, conservation groups and private landowners.  He earned his Bachelor of Science from Clemson University. He is a registered forester in South Carolina; and a certified general appraiser in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.  He earned his ARA designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.  He is a member of the Society of American Foresters. 

As American Forest Management’s Director, Technical Services, Stephen Eddins is responsible for the oversight of four services lines:  Data Management, GIS/Technology, Information Technology and Systems Development.  Stephen has over 17 years of experience serving in various technological roles within the AFM organization.  He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Forest Resource Management from Clemson University and is a member of the Society of American Foresters and Xi Sigma Pi. 

As AFM’s Director, Land Services, Jeff is responsible for oversight of AFM’s international business, inventories, wildlife, environmental and silviculture services as well as risk management.  Jeff has over 39 years of forestry experience including service at Union Camp Corporation, the University of Georgia and Wachovia/Regions Timberland Group, a Timberland Investment Management Organization.  He earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida, his Master of Science from West Virginia University and his Ph.D. from Clemson University.   

Chris Miller leads the effort to provide specialized land brokerage services, focusing on timberland, agriculture, recreation and conservation properties, to both buyers and sellers.  He has over 19 years of combined forestry and land brokerage experience and carries the esteemed Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) credential with Realtors Land Institute.  He earned his Bachelor of Science from North Carolina State University.  He is a registered forester and licensed real estate broker in North Carolina and South Carolina, a certified tree farm inspector, a member of the Future Leaders Committee of Realtors Institute, serves as Board Member of the Carolina Chapter of the Realtors Institute, a member of the Society of American Foresters and the North Carolina Forestry Association. 

Laura Parker brings over 19 years’ experience to her role as Director, Resource Planning Services.  She is responsible for delivering strategic and tactical forest planning solution for a wide range of clients. Her team includes technical experts in biometrics, growth & yield modeling, and resource planning. She earned her Bachelor of Science from NC State University and her M.B.A. from Winthrop University.  She is a member of the Society of American Foresters.