William Joseph “Will” McCommons Jr. is a second-year Master of Forest Resources (MFR) student from Greensboro, Georgia. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources from the University of Georgia, Will decided to continue his education at Warnell to gain deeper exposure to the business side of forestry and prepare for a career in the industry. Following his graduation, Will plans to begin work as a procurement forester with Georgia-Pacific in Palatka, Florida.
Will’s love and connection to forestry began long before he arrived in Athens. He traces his love for the woods back to his childhood, when his grandfather, who worked for a lumber company, introduced him to the woods and taught him how to work in the field.
Will reflects on this period of his life, sharing, “My grandfather worked for a lumber company, and some of my favorite memories growing up were spending time in the woods with him and learning from his experience. That early exposure sparked my interest in forestry and ultimately led me to pursue my undergraduate degree at Warnell.
After completing his bachelor’s degree, Will knew he wanted to continue to build on that foundation. After talking to practicing foresters, who all encouraged him to continue his education and pursue the MFR program, Will decided to apply, and now notes that it has been one of the best decisions he has ever made. Through the MFR program, Will has gained a more comprehensive understanding of forest business and expanded his career options.
Will expands on this point, noting, “The MFR program has shown me that the business side of forestry extends far beyond what happens in the field,” Will explains. “It’s given me a broader understanding of how decisions are made and how the industry operates as a whole. I’ve also seen many graduates of the program go on to become leaders in the field, and I hope to one day follow in their footsteps.”
This past summer, Will had the opportunity to work with Georgia-Pacific at the Albany Sawmill, where he gained valuable hands-on experience. Through working on inventory rotation projects and learning from experienced foresters, Will saw how important it is to cultivate strong relationships, integrity, and communication in a competitive wood market.
As he enters the next chapter of his life, Will feels confident that the knowledge and experience he gained through the MFR program have equipped him with all the tools he needs to succeed, and he looks forward to applying everything he’s learned as a professional in the Forestry industry.
