Texas A&M Vice Chancellor recognizes Hughes Simpson for public service in forestry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 10, 2025

Texas A&M Vice Chancellor recognizes Hughes Simpson for public service in forestry

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Hughes Simpson, Texas A&M Forest Service Assistant Director, External Affairs, was presented the Public Service in Forestry Award by Texas A&M University Vice Chancellor Dr. Jeffrey Savell, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.

Simpson began his career with Texas A&M Forest Service in 2000 as a Forester in Lufkin. Since then, he has served as a Water Resources Program Leader, Forest Systems Department Head and Forest Resource Development Chief Operating Officer.

In fall 2024, Simpson was named Assistant Director, External Affairs. In this capacity, he coordinates and implements strategic initiatives, business development opportunities and partner relations to ensure sustainable forestry policies, initiatives and funding are available throughout the state.

"I have witnessed Hughes' rapid ascension through the agency with ever-increasing service and leadership responsibilities," said Al Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service Director. "His effective leadership continues to result in strong forestry leadership throughout the state and southern U.S."

Throughout his time at the agency, Simpson has helped drive the development of Texas Forest Info , an extensive website that hosts tools for property mapping, forest ecosystem evaluation, financial assistance, forest health diagnostics and land management planning.

He also transformed the agency's East Texas-based Best Management Practices program into a statewide Water Resources program, recognizing the critical link between forests and water. Simpson spearheaded the establishment of the Texas Partnership for Forests and Water, a statewide collaborative that works to sustain forested watersheds to provide safe, reliable sources of drinking water and positive benefits to local economies.

In strengthening other external natural resource partnerships, Simpson developed and implemented the Texas A&M Forest Service Leadership Institute , a leadership training program for natural resource and emergency response partners that promotes the advancement of statewide natural resource stewardship.

Simpson, working through the Texas Longleaf Team , has been instrumental in the restoration of the native longleaf pine ecosystem. In 2014, he developed the Texas Longleaf Conservation Assistance Program that has provided over $2.4 million in financial assistance to landowners to restore and steward almost 50,000 acres of this iconic ecosystem.

As a 25-year member of the Texas Forestry Association, Simpson serves as chair to its environmental and regulatory affairs committee. He has also served on the association's board of directors and several other natural resource-based committees.

Beyond Texas, Simpson has been a Society of American Foresters Certified Forester since 2007 where he has held a membership since 1996. He was selected as a Fellow in 2023, has served on its board of directors and as chair for the committee on forest policy, secretary and treasurer for the Texas Society of American Foresters (TSAF) and chair of the Lufkin/Nacogdoches chapter of TSAF.

"One of Hughes' greatest contributions is his collaboration and connection with Texas landowners," said Rob Hughes, Texas Forestry Association Executive Director. "He recognizes that private lands are crucial to the overall health of our forests and has worked to build strong relationships with private landowners and timberland investment firms."

The Texas A&M Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence program was established in 1980 to recognize the commitment and outstanding contributions of faculty and staff across Texas A&M AgriLife. The Public Service in Forestry award has been presented at the program since 2012.

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Photos: https://agrilife.photoshelter.com/galleries/C00004ctr0uNLkTQ/G0000lw5489NXOr4/20250108-Hughes-Simpson-Vice-Chancellors-Award
Texas A&M Forest Service Contacts:

Communications Office, [email protected] , 979-458-6606

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