SPRING 2023 15 STEVEN PETER RECEIVES VFA PRESIDENT’S AWARD Stephanie Grubb awarded Steven Peter with the 2023 President’s Award at the Forestry Summit in April. The purpose of the VFA President’s Award is to recognize individuals who, through their own extraordinary efforts, have made a significant contribution to the association. Recipients of the President’s Award are individuals who have spent many hours working behind the scenes and beyond the call of duty to make VFA a quality organization. Throughout 2022–23 while serving on the VFA Board of Directors, Peter demonstrated an unwavering drive, passion, and commitment to sustainable forestry, the health of Virginia’s forests, and to the organizations that strive to serve those forests. “He has been a long-time member of VFA and is exactly the type of volunteer that every staff person, volunteer, and leader wants to work with,” said Grubb. “He is already so energetic and passionate about the industry, that when the idea of VFA starting a new event came up this past year, he immediately jumped on board.” Peter is chairing the task group organizing this new event. In presenting him with the President’s Award, Grubb noted, “Steve has proven to be a wealth of ideas and is always thinking about ways to make the event the best it can be. During task group meetings, he is continuously in awe of the other people in the room, enthusiastically uplifting the opinions, voices, and ideas of his fellow members, serving as a testament to his humility and that the success of this event, as well as the organization, is a group effort.” In 1999, after working as a district forester in wood procurement for Stone Container Corporation he established South Paw Forest Products, Inc. His company assists landowners with land and timber management specializing in pine thinnings, wildlife harvests, and clearcut harvests. Peter graduated from Virginia Tech 1993 with a B.S. in Forestry and Wildlife. (l. to r.) Steven Peter with Stephanie Grubb at the Virginia Forestry Summit. 2001–2004, the Holiday Lake 4-H Camp Board for at least a dozen years, and the Virginia Tree Farm Committee, which also recognized him with the Tree Farm Leadership Award in 1996. Zimmer has been recognized by the Virginia Division of the Society of American Foresters (SAF) with their Merit Award in 2021, and with the APSAF Volunteer Service Award in 2005. Prior to Virginia Department of Forestry, Ed held several roles in forest industry in eastern Virginia and served five years in the United States Army. In presenting the award, Virginia State Forester Rob Farrell shared: “[Ed] has worked at the DOF for almost 20 years, serving in increasing levels of responsibility. His can-do attitude and no-nonsense management approach has made him invaluable. Whenever there is a problem or a crisis, you will find Ed Zimmer there, helping to solve the problem.” Virginia State Forester Rob Farrell presented VFA’s Distinguished Service Award to Ed Zimmer.
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