RANGELEY – Tricia Quinn, a resource supervisor at Plum Creek Timber has been named Maine’s Outstanding Forester of 2014 by the Maine Forest Products Council. She is the first woman to receive the award, which was first presented in 2010.
“Tricia has been able to gain the respect of her peers – loggers, regulators, whoever she comes in contact with,” said Ben Dow of Plum Creek. “She’s responsible for the management and oversight of 200,000 acres of Plum Creek property in western Maine. It’s a big job and she’s been up to the challenge. She’s doing a fantastic job.”
Quinn began her career with Boise Cascade in 1990, managing the Rumford land base and continued to manage that same land for multiple owners for until 2004, when she started work for Plum Creek.
“She has a strong silvicultural background, which I think is critical for being eligible for this award,” Dow said. “She was instrumental in revamping our silviculture internally for Plum Creek and it’s something we use to make our decisions uniformly across our land base.”
Quinn also has served her country for the last 31 years; in the Marine Corps for four years and then in the National Guard where she currently holds the rank of master sergeant.
Dow also praised Quinn as “a great mentor for young foresters.”In her acceptance speech, Quinn thanked her own mentors and also stressed “the importance of mentors and mentoring, both young or new or inexperienced individuals within your organization or the industry. I wouldn’t be here today without them.”
Luke Brochu of Pleasant River Lumber received the MFPC’s Alfred D. Nutting Award for his leadership, integrity and many contributions to Maine’s forest economy.
“I was really taken aback when I received the phone call as to whether or not I’d be a willing recipient of this honor, of such a prestigious award,” Brochu said. “I’m truly humbled.”
Also honored at the MFPC’s annual meeting in Bar Harbor on Sept. 8 were: Jim Carrier, Richard Carrier Trucking in Skowhegan, named Maine’s Outstanding Trucker of 2014; Richard Wing, Richard Wing & Sons Logging in Standish, named Maine’s Outstanding Logger of 2014; Hardwood Products of Guilford, named Maine’s Outstanding Manufacturer of 2014. Sen. Patrick Flood of Winthrop received the Abby Holman Public Service Award for outstanding service to Maine’s forest products industry. and Maine State Forester Doug Denico of Madison received the President’s Award.
