Robert Farris is Interim Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission. Appointed in December, 2006, Farris oversees the state agency’s leadership, service, and education in the stewardship of Georgia’s forest resources.

Prior to being named to this position, Farris served as the Commission’s Director of Field Operations, in which he supervised the state’s twelve district foresters and  associated forest protection, education, and management activities.  Since joining the GFC in 1985, Farris has served as District Forester in Milledgeville, Statewide Training Coordinator, and Associate Chief of Protection. He has earned the GFC Director’s Award for Outstanding Leadership and the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Service.

Farris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Resources from the University of Georgia, where he was a member of

Xi Sigma Pi Forestry Honor Society.  Robert is a Georgia Registered Lobbyist, a Georgia Registered Forester, a Georgia Certified Prescribed Burner and a Georgia Certified Pesticide Applicator.  He is a member of the Society of American Foresters, in which he has served a number of leadership positions, and is a member of the Georgia Forestry Association.

Robert and his wife, Beverly, live in Gray, Georgia.  They have four children.