Management Team

Brent Keefer brings 35 years of experience to his position as Chief Executive Officer. Brent is responsible for leading the American Forest Management organization which includes 50+ offices throughout 10 regions and over 300 employees. As CEO, he focuses on the company’s strategic direction and on building the organization and culture. Prior to joining AFM, Brent served as the president of Hancock Timber Resource Group. He serves on the Boards of Directors of both the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® and the Forest History Society. He is also a member of the Society of American Foresters and a regular speaker at timberland investment conferences and seminars. Brent earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Virginia Tech.

Tom Margo has over 32 years of experience in forestry and the land business. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from North Carolina State University. Tom is a licensed real estate salesman and registered forester in 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, Tom 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 29 years of 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 graduated from Guilford College, completed her Accounting coursework at North Carolina State University, and is a North Carolina Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

David Cole brings over 34 years of experience to his role as Managing Director, Northern Operations. He oversees AFM’s forest and land management operations in Maine, New Hampshire, Michigan, and Wisconsin. David is a North Carolina State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry. He is a Maine licensed forester and a North Carolina registered 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 Managing 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 Managing 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 32 years of experience in rural land and timberland appraisal, management, and analysis. As Managing Director, Appraisal Services, Gary oversees appraisal services for timberland investment management organizations, trusts, government agencies, financial institutions, conservation groups, and private landowners. Gary serves as the Treasurer for American Forest Management.

Gary 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, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. 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 Managing 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 19 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.

Laura Hayes brings over 19 years’ experience to her role as Managing 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.

As AFM’s Managing 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 through our subsidiary AFM Real Estate, focusing on timberland, agriculture, recreation, and conservation properties across our US operating area. He has over 21 years of combined forestry and land brokerage experience and carries the esteemed Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) credential with Realtors Land Institute. Chris earned his Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from North Carolina State University. He is a registered forester, a licensed real estate broker in North Carolina and South Carolina, and a Board Member of the Carolina Chapter of the Realtors Land Institute. Chris is a member of the Future Leaders Committee of Realtors Institute, a member of the Society of American Foresters, and the North Carolina Forestry Association.