Winter 2024 27 Frank O. Brooks, Jr., manager of Forest Resources Management, Inc. in Aylett, Va., died at 79 on Feb. 13 at his home, Dunluce in King William. Since 1982, he was a consulting forester and state appraiser, first operating for over 30 years at his King William residence. Brooks was universally regarded as a consummate forestry professional, serving as a deeply respected mentor to leaders throughout Virginia’s forestry community. As a forest landowner, he was a member of American Tree Farm Systems. He was a long time Board member, and honored “Forester-of-the-Year” (2002) as well as Treasurer of the Virginia Forestry Association. He served on the Virginia Board of Forestry, was a member of The Society of American Foresters, Association of Consulting Foresters, was a Certified Forester in Virginia and Maryland and a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser. As a member of Forest Landowners Association, he served on the Board, and was honored “Forester-of-the-Year” (2016). Brooks held a B.S. in business administration from the University of Richmond and a Masters from Duke University in forestry economics. He made early contributions to Best Management Practices in timber management and in quail habitat management. His favorite sport was hunting quail with his fine English setters. In Memoriam: Frank O. Brooks, Jr. 2024 Virginia Forestry Community Legislative Day on the Hill More than 50 members of Virginia’s forestry and forest products community traveled to Richmond on January 24 for Legislative Day on the Hill 2024. Following an issues briefing luncheon, attendees broke into five groups and visited with legislators and staff from more than 30 offices. The event was capped off with the Forestry Community’s Open House reception at the Credit Union House of Virginia, with more than a dozen legislators and agency heads stopping by to visit. Preston Willson 4-H Summer Camp Scholarships Now Available Virginia Forestry Educational Foundation, VFA, Virginia Forest Products Association, and Virginia Loggers Association will support scholarships for 24 students to attend the Preston R. Willson Virginia 4-H Camp this summer. Virginia’s forestry organizations are united in creating opportunities for youth to learn about natural resources. Applications are for youth ages 9–13 Apply at www.holidaylake4h.com/4hscholarship by April 1. Joe Knight Named Head of the Department of VT-FREC Joe Knight has been named head of the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation (FREC) in the College of Natural Resources and Environment. Knight brings an extensive background in forestry and natural resources science with a focus on the applications of geospatial analysis and remote sensing in the field. He comes to Virginia Tech from the University of Minnesota, where he was a professor in the Department of Forest Resources and director of the Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis Lab. For the full story from VT News (1/12/24), visit https:// news.vt.edu/articles/2024/01/cnre-frec-dept-head-knight.html Resource Review Del. Otto Wachsmann meets with Charlie Finley, Ken Lin, Don Bright, Kimberly Bright, Christina Hager, Ervin Bielmeyer, Chris Brown, Joey Briggs, and Chris Harris during 2024 Legislative Day on the Hill.
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