Eastern Shore native, Elizabeth Hill, joins the Maryland Forests Association as the new executive director.
January 1, 2019 (Annapolis, Maryland) — The Maryland Forests Association, Inc. announced Elizabeth Hill has been named executive director of the nonprofit devoted to increasing awareness and advocacy for Maryland’s forest industry.
Hill is a lifelong resident of the Eastern Shore of Maryland with more than 20 years experience in the sawmill, piling and timber industry. She previously served as the General Manager of Dorchester Lumber Company Inc., a family owned business founded in 1950. In her leadership role, Hill saw that the company provided quality products in a healthy, safe work environment, while promoting sustainable forestry practices.
“Forestry is the highest and best use for land to protect the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay. Most people have no idea how important or vast the forestry industry is,” Hill said.
One of Hill’s goals is to be a stronger voice in Annapolis for Maryland’s forestry industry and MFA’s members which include forest landowners, natural resource professionals, hunt clubs and recreational groups, logging and trucking companies, forest product businesses and conservation-minded individuals.
Recently, BEACON, the Business Economic and Community Outreach Network at Salisbury University, with the support of the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industries Development Corporation (MARBIDCO), conducted an economic impact study to measure the importance of Maryland’s resource-based industries. Using the latest data from 2015, the report found that Maryland’s forestry sector contributed nearly $3.5 billion to the State’s economy, supported 15,271 jobs, and nearly $133 million in State and local tax revenue.
Hill resides in Dorchester County with her husband and two children and is an active member of her community. She served on the Governor’s Commission for Protecting the Chesapeake Bay through Sustainable Forestry (2005-2006) and currently serves on the Maryland Sustainable Forestry Commission, Delaware Forests Association Board of Directors, and was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan in 2018 to as the forestry representative on the Maryland Agriculture Commission.
“We couldn’t have found a more passionate advocate for Maryland’s forestry industry. Elizabeth brings a significant amount of experience and the Maryland Forests Association Board is looking forward to her leadership,” said MFA President, Todd Berman.