Jerry Gray – President
Gray Logging, LLC.
Madison, Florida
Phone: (850) 673-1718
Email Jerry
“Logging seems to be something you are born into. You never hear about someone quitting a stockholder gig to ‘live the life of a logger.'" That’s a quote from Jerry Gray in an article for The Forestry Review, and it certainly holds true for him. Jerry Gray was born in 1961 into a logging family. His dad, W.C. Gray, worked in the log woods, even logging out west for a time, and started his own logging company in 1971 when Jerry was just 10 years old.
Since that age, Jerry has “lived" in the woods. At 13, he was using a chainsaw. At 15, he was driving a cable skidder. At 18, upon graduation, he was full-time in the woods. At age 40, he became the manager of Gray Logging, LLC. That was nearly 16 years ago. During those 16 years, Jerry has been proud of the many achievements he and Gray Logging, LLC have accomplished. Under his leadership, the company has grown from one to two logging crews. He also co-owns Genesis Timber, LLC with his son-in-law, Matt Webb.
Today, Jerry still loves the woods as he did as a little boy. Today, combined with that love, Jerry has a passion, a knowledge, and the experience to handle various timber needs. He is excited about the future, helping land owners with their needs and being a part of the timber industry.
Dillon Stratton, III – Vice President
D.M. Stratton, LLC
Green Cove Springs, FL
Phone: (904) 759-7059
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Dillon grew up around the logging business that his grandfather started in 1958, his father continued it as his adult career making it a natural transition into the family business for Dillon. Dillon worked many years side by side with his father in that family logging business, until 2015 when his dad retired. Dillon took the role as president of DM Stratton LLC making him the 3rd generation logger of the company. Upon taking over the business in 2015, Dillon has expanded the business to buying timber for the company with multiple crews. In that same year Dillon started 3D Trucking LLC. Dillon took interest in being on the board of SWPA after his father retired that position a few years back. Dillon truly has a passion for Logging and wants the best for his fellow loggers.
Darlene McDonald - Secretary / Treasurer
Safety On Site, Inc.
Marshallville, GA
Phone: (478) 235-2684
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Darlene became involved with the forest products industry in 1996 while working for a logger in middle Georgia. Part of her duties involved managing the safety program for their three crews. She realized that safety training and compliance was an area where many loggers could use some help. She founded Safety On Site, Inc. in 1997 to be a resource for loggers to help protect their workers and their businesses.
Darlene has been active with SWPA since the early 2000s. She is a presenter for the Master Timber Harvester Introductory workshop. She also provides continuing education for GA and FL through SWPA and the Florida Forestry Association. She and her husband, Scott, work together in their business. They enjoy spending time with family and traveling. They have two children in college. Darlene enjoys bragging about “her” loggers and promoting the industry whenever she gets a chance.
Russell Fowler – Immediate PAST President / CHAIRMAN
Flint River Timber of GA Inc.
Cairo, GA
Phone: (229) 224-0015
Email Russell
Russell received a BS in Forest Resources in 1988 before starting his career in the industry working for G.P. and the former Stone Container in the Big Bend of Florida and southwest Georgia. His exposure to the industry in the early 90s, along with its changes, led to the founding of a private wood dealership, Flint River Timber, in Cairo, Georgia.
The buying and selling of wood developed into an investment in the logging business. The support of sub-contractors and company owned logging crews is vital to the success of a modern day timber dealership. Russell has always supported loggers and feels communication between forestry associations, the public, and the industry is essential. Involvement with the Southeastern Wood Producers Association is the most important link in accomplishing this task.
