New Deputy Executive Director of Certification Hired
Jeff Benjamin brings forestry, administrative and technical experience to the job
AUGUSTA, ME – Jeff Benjamin of Veazie, Maine has been hired as the new Deputy Executive Director of Certification for the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast (PLC).
Jeff began his new duties on Jan. 6, 2025. He brings a wealth of forestry, administrative, and technical experience to the job and has a longstanding relationship with loggers in Maine as well as a great understanding of the unique issues and opportunities in the regional forest economy.
Jeff has Forest Engineering and PhD degrees from the University of New Brunswick in Canada and worked for nine years teaching and conducting research and service in the UMaine School of Forest Resources, with most of his focus on the logging industry. During his time at UMaine, Jeff conducted surveys and interviews of logging contractors to better understand the industry and develop innovative solutions to their issues. He also developed machine specific cycle time and productivity guides for the industry.
Jeff also served as a moderator and committee member for the Forest Resources Association and New England Regional Council on Forest Engineering, a program leader for both forestry and forest operations science programs at UMaine, an advisor/committee member for 15+ graduate students, and as associate editor for the Northern Journal of Forestry.
After leaving the University in 2015, Jeff maintained close ties to the logging industry by working on some consulting projects with the PLC.
Jeff was Head of School for Bangor Christian Schools from 2015-2021 with responsibility for more than 300 students served by the K-12 school as well as more than 25 teachers and staff. He also served a dual role from 2019-2021 as Executive Administrator for Crosspoint Church, which owns Bangor Christian Schools.
Prior to joining the PLC, Jeff served from 2021-2024 as a Business Analyst/Human Resources Director and a member of the leadership team for S.J. Rollins Technologies in Brewer, ME.
Jeff is excited to be back working directly with logging contractors in a role where he can make a difference.
“A friend of mine recently said that ‘a true forester can never escape the woods’ and after almost a decade away
from forestry and logging, I am excited and humbled to join the team at the PLC. “During my time at UMaine, I worked to support all sectors of the forest industry. I developed tremendous respect and appreciation for logging contractors in particular, and I look forward to building strong relationships with them – and all members of the supply chain – to improve the use and awareness of forest and logging certification” Jeff said.
The PLC has valued and promoted certification for logging contractors and members of the supply chain for almost three decades. In 2000, the PLC created the Master Logger Certification Program® as the first in the world point-of-harvest certification program, offering independent third-party certification of logging companies’ harvesting practices. Since then, the program has grown steadily and there are now more than 130 Master Logger certified companies in the Northeast.
In 2004, the PLC created a group certificate for loggers, landowners and manufacturers to participate in the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification program. This has created an opportunity for all members of the forest economy to promote responsible forest management practices and participate in the gold standard of global forest certification.
PLC Executive Director Dana Doran said Jeff is a strong addition to the program with skills and contacts that will enable him to have an immediate impact.
“Jeff knows the industry well and is uniquely equipped to strengthen and expand certification across the Northeast,” Doran said. “We are fortunate to have him join our team.”
For more information on the Master Logger program or FSC certification, contact Jeff at (207) 688-8195 opt. 2 or jeff@plcloggers.org. Additional information is also available at plcloggers.org
Founded in Maine in 1995 by a handful of loggers who were concerned about the future of the forest economy, the PLC has grown steadily to become a regional non-profit which provides independent logging and trucking contractors a voice along with a suite of other forest certification programs which are grounded in responsible forest management.
Learn more about the PLC at www.plcloggers.org
Please direct any inquiries on this press release to PLC Executive Director Dana Doran at (207) 441-3621 or dana@plcloggers.org.
