Joe Hinson Appointed MFA Vice President

Joe Hinson has had a long and varied career in forestry. It began on the Eastern Shore as a land management supervisor for Chesapeake Corporation, where he was responsible for the management of many young stands that are now mature, beautiful forests. He moved on to Washington, D.C., as a lobbyist for the national timber industry specializing in private forestry issues.

In 1982, Joe was named Executive Director of the Idaho Forest Industry Council, representing the large industry in that state, a position he held for 15 years.

During that time, he drafted and successfully sought passage of over 30 pieces of legislation that impacted the forestry industry, including being the principal author of a complete revision of Idaho’s implementation of the non-point section of the federal Clean Water Act.

In 1998, Joe founded Northwest Natural Resource Group, LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in resolving complex natural resource issues at the highest levels of state and national government. In this position, he drafted the “statement of need” for Idaho’s Forest Legacy Program as well as the state’s plans for aquatic and terrestrial invasive species.

NNRG also developed unique conservation plans to help private landowners deal with species listed as “threatened” or “endangered” or candidates for such listings under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Joe’s wife Margaret is a third-generation cattle and sheep rancher and the former President of the American Sheep Industry. In 2012, the couple “retired,” returning to Salisbury, Md. where they enjoy golf, fishing, their friends and Joe’s unabated interest in working with private landowners and the timber industry.

“We are excited to be working with Joe. His experience with legislative issues will be key to advancing MFA’s vision,” said Beth Hill, MFA Executive Director.