Division of Forestry Staff

Office Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

If you aren't sure who to contact, fill out our question/comment page and your message will be forwarded to the appropriate person.

Administrative and Program Staff

• Ariens, A.J. - Forest Archaeologist

  aariens@dnr.IN.gov
  317-232-0141

  

  A.J. began her career as an Intermittent Forest Archaeologist in 2002 and took on her role as our full-time Archaeologist in 2004.

  She received her Bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Indiana State University in 2000 and her Master’s degree in anthropology in 2003 from the University of Cincinnati where she specialized in Midwest archaeology. Her hobbies include photography, gardening, hiking, and camping.

• Bridges, Darren - Fire Coordinator

  dbridges@dnr.IN.gov

  

  Darren joined the Division of Forestry in 1997 as assistant property manager at Martin State Forest. He later became the Indiana state fire coordinator in 2013. Darren earned a B.S. degree in natural resources from Ball State University. He enjoys hunting and fishing in his free time.

• Gonso, Chris - Hardwoods Program Manager

  cgonso@isda.IN.gov
  317-234-5004

  

  Chris began his career with the Division of Forestry in 2009 and took on his role as hardwoods program manager in 2018. Chris earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. His hobbies include growing native fruit and nut trees.

• Flachskam, Jill - GIS Specialist

  jflachskam@dnr.IN.gov
  317-232-4106

  

  Jill joined the Division of Forestry in 2017 after working as the GIS Specialist for the Division of Reclamation’s Abandoned Mine Land Program for several years. She also serves as the State Land Office Director in association with the Division of Land Acquisition and the Indiana Department of Administration.

  She received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Transylvania University, a Master’s in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Michigan, and a Certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Western Kentucky University. Her hobbies include hiking, birding, yoga, museums, and theater.

• Smith, Zach - Property Specialist

  zsmith@dnr.IN.gov
  317-232-4117

  

  Zack began his career with the Division of Forestry in August of 2000 as a Forest Entomologist and assumed his duties as Forest Programs Coordinator in August of 2006. In addition to his current job duties and continuing some duties as a Forest Entomologist, he also coordinates the division’s State Fair exhibit.

  Zack graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s degree in forestry in 1999. His hobbies include camping and fishing.

• Haulton, Scott - Forestry Wildlife Specialist

  shaulton@dnr.IN.gov
  317-234-5725

  

  Scott’s service with the Division of Forestry began in 2007 when he was hired to coordinate the Division’s state forest wildlife habitat management program and provide guidance on forest wildlife habitat to various sections of the Division, other resource management professionals, and the general public.

  Scott earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from the State University of New York-Geneseo and a Bachelor's in environmental and forest biology from the State University of New York-College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He also holds a Master’s degree in wildlife science from Virginia Tech. His hobbies include hiking, camping, canoeing, photography and fanatically following the Colts.

• Hawkins, Bob - Nursery Supervisor

  bhawkins@dnr.IN.gov
  812-358-3621

  

  Bob started working for the Division of Forestry in 1987 as an intermittent in our tree improvement program. He later became Nursery Operations Manager and has served as the Nursery Section Supervisor since 2004. In addition to his usual duties at the nursery, Bob also provides Arbor Day tree seedlings for all DNR programs and offers a leaf collection trail for school children with more than 100 trees identified.

  Bob earned a Bachelor’s degree in forest management from Purdue University, and his interests include hunting, fishing, hiking, vacationing with family, exercising, and rafting.

• Huter, Brenda - Stewardship Coordinator

  bhuter@dnr.IN.gov
  317-232-0142

  

  Brenda’s career with the Division of Forestry began at Yellowwood State Forest where she served as a GIS Intern and later became a Resource Specialist. She assumed her current duties in 2004. She also serves as a meeting facilitator and is trained in wildland firefighting.

  Brenda graduated from Carroll College with a Bachelor’s degree in biology and geology. She also holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science focused on applied ecology, and a Master of Public Affairs in natural resource management, both from Indiana University. Her hobbies and interests include kayaking, backpacking, gardening, cooking and reading.

• Roos, Jacob - Community & Urban Forestry Director

  jroos@dnr.IN.gov
  317-234-4386
  
  

  Jacob joined the Division of Forestry in December of 2022 as the Community and Urban Forestry Director. He is certified through the ISA as an arborist and is Tree Risk Assessment Qualified. He graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in Forestry.

  His hobbies include enjoying the outdoors with his family, gardening, and reading.

• Marshall, Phil - Insect & Disease Specialist

  pmarshall@dnr.IN.gov
  812-358-3621

  

  Phil joined the Division of Forestry as Forest Health Specialist in 1974 and assumed his current dual role as Forest Health Specialist and the Director of the Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology in 2007. He is also a forest health monitoring surveyor and trainer, ozone surveyor, and conducts aerial surveys for forest pest damage.

  Phil holds a Master’s degree in forestry from Duke University, and his other interests include history and pharmacy.

• McCoy, Duane - Timber Buyer Licensing Forester

  dmccoy@dnr.IN.gov
  317-232-4112

  

  Duane joined the Division of Forestry in 1996 as an intermittent employee, in 1997 he became the Improved Harvesting Practices (IHP), Forester, before becoming the LTB Forester in 2006. Duane works on the Timber Buyers Licensing program, Indiana Forestry Best Management Practices (BMP) program, Watershed Conservation through Forestry program, and the Hoosier Ecosystem Experimental (HEE) Research Forest project.

  Duane studied Pre-Forestry at Ball State University, and received a BS degree in Forest Management from Oregon State University as well as a Masters Degree in Forest Management. His hobbies include family, fishing, and golf.

• O'Conner, Phil - Tree Improvement Specialist

  poconnor@dnr.IN.gov
  812-358-3621

  

  Phil’s career with the Division of Forestry began in 2000 when he was hired as Tree Improvement Specialist. In addition to the duties entailed in this position, he also represents the Division of Forestry on the Invasive Plant Species Assessment working group and the state’s Invasive Species Task Force.

  He earned a Bachelor’s degree in forestry and a Master’s in forest genetics, both from the University of Illinois. Phil’s hobbies include backpacking, sailing, fishing, hunting, shooting, and reading.

• Eiler, Lexington - Project Learning Tree Coordinator

  leiler@dnr.IN.gov
  317-234-5143

  

  Lexi joined the Division of Forestry in November 2022. Her role as the forestry education specialist includes coordinating Indiana Project Learning Tree and Division of Forestry social media. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Wildlife from the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University in 2018. After graduation, her work specialized in nonformal education and conservation outreach. She enjoys hiking, birding, and playing board/card games in her free time.

• Schneck, Brad - Assistant State Forester, Properties

  bschneck@dnr.IN.gov
  317-232-4101

  

  Brad joined the Division of Forestry in 1998 as a Resource Specialist. He briefly left the division in 2002 to serve as Conservation Director of the natural resource program at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center. He returned to the Division of Forestry in 2007 as Property Manager of two properties before becoming an Assistant State Forester in 2019.

  Brad earned his Bachelor’s degree in forest management from Purdue University. In his free time, he enjoys family, competitive bass fishing, and hunting.

• Seifert, John - State Forester

  jseifert@dnr.IN.gov
  317-232-4116

  

  Jack’s employment with the Division of Forestry began in 2005 when he was hired as State Forester and Director of the Division of Forestry. Previously, he served as Extension Research Forester for Purdue University from 1979 to 2005 where he did apply research in plantation and natural stand management. He provided continuing education for professional foresters and woodland owners for 27 years, impacting thousands of landowners and authoring more than 50 research publications. He oversees the certification of state and private forestlands under the North American and international sustainability “green” standards and is active with the Indiana Tree Farm program, the Indiana Woodland Owners Association, the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, and the Indiana Forest Industry Council.

  Jack earned his forestry degrees from the University of Missouri. His hobbies and interests include furniture design and construction, tree planting, timber stand improvement work, taking walks through one of the family tree farms, and traveling internationally with his family.

• Vacant - Forest Resource Information

  This position is currently open. Questions may be directed to Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Hardwoods Program Manager: https://www.in.gov/isda/divisions/economic-development/hardwoods/

• Vacant - Forest Programs Coordinator

  This position is currently available.

• Stenger, Racheal - Community & Urban Forestry Outreach Coordinator

  rstenger@dnr.IN.gov
  317-234-6741

  

  Racheal began working for the Division of Forestry in June 2023. Her job duties include planning and attending urban forestry outreach events including Tree Stewards workshops and the annual Indiana Community and Urban Forestry Symposium.

  Racheal got her B.S. and M.S. from Ball State University in Biology, with a focus on forest ecology. She likes working in the urban forestry realm because it is the cross-section between trees and people. In her free time, Racheal loves to read, weave macrame pieces, and go on hiking and camping trips.

• Vacant - Assistant State Forester, Coop. Forest Mgmt.

  This position is currently available.

• Koehne, Steve - Land Surveyor

  skoehne@dnr.IN.gov
  317-232-4111

  

  Steve graduated from Vincennes University’s Surveying Technology program with an Associate degree in Science in 1999. He worked for several companies in the Indianapolis area before becoming a licensed land surveyor in 2008. He then started a land surveying business, which he operated until joining the DNR Division of Forestry in September 2022. In his spare time, Steve enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, and golfing.

• Ramey, Barbara - Administrative Assistant

  bramey@dnr.IN.gov
  317-232-4105

  

  Barbara started with the division in 1998 at Selmier State Forest. In 1999, she moved to Indianapolis and began her second career as an administrative assistant to the Division of Forestry. Barbara has a background in accounting, payroll, purchasing, and human resources. She assists with answering phone and email inquiries from the public and division properties. Her hobbies include reading, crocheting, photography, and taking trips with her granddaughter.

• Marsh, Shelia - Administrative Assistant

  smarsh@dnr.IN.gov
  317-234-5210

  

  Sheila joined the Division of Forestry in 2007 but has been with DNR since 1988. She works on the Timber Buyers Licensing program processing license applications for Indiana’s Timber Buyers and assists with administrative duties both in the Central Office and the Forestry properties.

• Crecelius, Megan - Forest Ecologist/Botanist

  mcrecelius@dnr.IN.gov
  317-308-3386
  
  

  Megan began her career with the Division of Forestry in February of 2016, working on the Forest Inventory and Analysis/Continuous Forest Inventory crew. She transitioned to forest ecologist in October of 2022. Megan completed her Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in ecology and conservation biology from Franklin College and a master’s from Ball State University in Botany. She enjoys gardening, hunting, fishing, kayaking, farming, and spending time with her family.

• Gullion, Madeline - Community & Urban Forestry Urban Forest Specialist

  mgullion@dnr.IN.gov
  463-203-9219

  

  Madeline joined the Division of Forestry in February 2024. She works with disadvantaged and underserved communities across the state to support their urban forestry programs. She graduated from Earlham College in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental sustainability (with a focus in culture and justice) and outdoor education. In her free time, she enjoys being outside, reading (especially psychological thrillers), and knitting/weaving/sewing/natural dyeing, etc.

• Ardisson, Taylor - Property Manager Owen-Putnam SF

  2153 Fishcreek Road, Spencer, IN 47460
  812-829-2462
  tardisson@dnr.IN.gov

  

  Taylor joined the Division of Forestry in October 2018 as a resource specialist at Jackson-Washington State Forest. In October 2020, he accepted the property manager position at Owen-Putnam State Forest. Taylor graduated from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in forestry. After graduation, he worked in Florida as a state lands forester until 2018.

• Bridges, Darren - Property Manager Morgan-Monroe & Yellowwood SF

  6220 Forest Road, Martinsville, IN 46151
  765-792-4654
  dbridges@dnr.IN.gov

  

  Darren joined the Division of Forestry in 1997 as assistant property manager at Martin State Forest He later became the Indiana state fire coordinator in 2013. Darren earned a B.S. degree in natural resources from Ball State University. He enjoys hunting and fishing in his free time.

• Crosier, Elena - Property Manager Clark SF

  P.O. Box 119, Henryville, IN 47126
  812-294-4306
  ecrosier@dnr.IN.gov

  

  Elena began her career with the Division of Forestry as a resource specialist at Harrison-Crawford State Forest in 2014. During her time there she became a member of the Division of Forestry’s GIS committee, served as secretary of the Indiana Society of American Foresters, and twice earned the division’s Resource Specialist of the Year Award. In 2021, she became the second woman to manage one of Indiana’s state forests and the first woman to manage Indiana’s oldest, Clark State Forest. Elena earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from Purdue University.

• Griffin, Mahala - Assistant Property Manager Morgan Monroe SF

  6220 Forest Road, Martinsville, IN 46151
  765-792-4654
  mahgriffin@dnr.IN.gov

  

  Mahalah joined the Division of Forestry in 2023.

• Gust, Alex - Property Manager Martin SF

  14040 Williams Road, Shoals, IN 47581
  812-247-3491
  agust@dnr.IN.gov

  

  Alex began his career with the Division of Forestry in March 2020 as the Resource Specialist at Martin State Forest. He was promoted to Property Manager of Martin State Forest in 2023. He graduated from Michigan State University in 2019 with a forestry degree and a minor in environmental studies and sustainability. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, hiking, and woodworking.

• Potts, Derrick - Assistant Property Manager Yellowwood SF

  Road, Nashville, IN 47448
  812-988-7945
  dpotts@dnr.IN.gov

  

  Derrick started his career with the DNR in 2001 at McCormick’s Creek State Park as a seasonal laborer. After receiving his B.S. in forestry from Purdue University in 2006, he joined the Division of Forestry as a seasonal forester at Morgan-Monroe State Forest. In 2010, he was hired as a full-time forester at Jackson-Washington State Forest before becoming the assistant property manager at Yellowwood State Forest. Derrick spends his off-duty time rock climbing, practicing yoga, and making dull things sharp using traditional Japanese waterstones.

• Sieg, Dwayne - Property Manager Harrison-Crawford SF

  7240 Old Forest Road SW, Corydon, IN 47112
  812-738-7694
  dsieg@dnr.IN.gov

  

  Born and raised in Harrison County, Dwayne earned his bachelor's degree in Forestry from Purdue in 1978. He started with the Division of Forestry in October of that year at Jackson-Washington State Forest as a forester for about 1 ½ years, then served as a forester at Yellowwood State Forest for a year. He was assistant district forester at North Vernon, briefly. In June 1981, he became property manager at Jackson-Washington State Forest, where he served until October 1985 before transferring to Harrison-Crawford State Forest.

• Vacant - Property Manager Greene-Sullivan SF

  2551 S. SR 159, Dugger, IN 47848
  812-648-2810
  GreeneSF@dnr.IN.gov

• Smith, Amanda - Property Manager Salamonie River SF

  5400 E. Salamonie Forest Road, Lagro, IN 46941
  260-782-0430
  ASmith1@dnr.IN.gov

  

  Amanda graduated in 2011 with a double major in Forestry and Wildlife Management from Purdue University. She began her career as a summer intern, completing Classified Forest re-inspections in Harrison and Crawford counties during the summer of 2011. Her next move was as an intermittent resource specialist at Yellowwood and Morgan-Monroe State Forests from May 2012 to September 2013. She then began working as the Resource Specialist / Assistant Property Manager for Ferdinand and Pike State Forests from September 2013 to October 2015. She then moved to become District Forester for Allen, DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble, and Steuben counties on Nov. 1, 2015. On Jan. 1, 2016, she also assumed the responsibilities of property manager for Salamonie River and Frances Slocum State Forests located in Wabash and Miami counties. Amanda enjoys hiking, gardening, reading, and traveling.

• Westbrook, Maddie - Property Manager Selmier SF

  905 E. CR 350 N., North Vernon, IN 47265
  812-346-2286
  mwestbrook@dnr.IN.gov

  

  Maddie began working for the Division of Forestry as an inventory forester in 2015. She then transferred to a district forester position in 2017. She now works with landowners in Clark, Floyd, Jefferson, and Scott counties. She graduated from Purdue University in 2013 with a forestry degree. Her interests include camping, fishing, and swimming.

• Winner, Jamie - Property Manager Ferdinand-Pike SF

  6583 E. SR 264, Ferdinand, IN 47532
  812-827-2857
  jwinner@dnr.IN.gov

  

  Jamie began working for the Division of Forestry part-time in 2001, assisting district foresters with classified forest re-inspections. He was hired full-time as a resource specialist at Clark State Forest in 2003 and transferred to Ferdinand-Pike State Forest in 2007. Jamie was hired into his current position as the property manager for Ferdinand-Pike State Forest in 2013. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Forestry from Purdue University in 2002.

• Kush, Josh - Property Manager Jackson-Washington SF

  1278 E. SR 250, Brownstown, IN 47220
  812-358-2160
  jkush@dnr.IN.gov

  

  Josh’s career started with the Division of Forestry in 2010 as an assistant property manager at Morgan- Monroe State Forest. He worked as a resource specialist at Martin State Forest before becoming its property manager in 2019. He earned his bachelor’s degree in forestry from Paul Smith’s College.