07/10/2026
The Empire State Forest Products Association welcomes a new Executive Director, Courtney Johnson-Woods. We look forward to working with her!
The Empire State Forest Products Association (ESFPA) Board of Directors, chaired by Jeff Denkenberger of Molpus Woodlands Group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Courtney Johnson-Woods as its next Executive Director. She assumes the role following the July 1, 2026 retirement of John Bartow, who served as executive director for more than 11 years.
Courtney is no stranger to the forest products industry, having worked early in her career as the Communications Director for the AFA - Arkansas Forestry Association based in Little Rock and then as consultant for clients in the sector for the last three decades across the country as part of her own company. This includes work with major companies, member-based trade groups, nonprofits, and small businesses. The flexibility of consulting allowed her to simultaneously pursue teaching and research at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York following her family’s move from Arkansas back to Northern New York, during which she obtained a PhD from State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. She left academia for a formal role focused on partnerships and international development work in 2023 with Resonance, and then worked most recently as the partnership manager for the NYS Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions before joining ESFPA.
“I am incredibly honored to represent the collective voice of New York’s forestry industry,” says Courtney, underscoring her belief that the timber we grow and harvest sustainably helps grow local communities and New York alongside the multiple values healthy forests provide.
“I am married to a forester; my son is a forester, and I have crafted a rewarding professional journey working with and alongside foresters, loggers, timberland owners, and manufacturers of wood products,” she adds.
“My goal is to work closely with our Board and committee leaders, our affiliated NEW YORK LOGGER TRAINING INC and NY Forest Foundation organizations, and ESFPA members across the state, to ensure the supportive political and business climate that my predecessor helped solidify for our industry during his tenure continues in mine."
Courtney will be the first ESFPA Executive Director to work in a hybrid role, spending time in Albany with staff and at the Capitol during the legislative session, and splitting the remainder of her time on the road visiting with members and attending meetings and events, and in her home office.
