Southern
Forest World

It’s all about the trees

MEET OUR BOARD & SFW DIRECTOR

Our Southern Forest World board members and Director bring dedication to protecting Georgia’s history, and natural resources, with each board member bringing a unique perspective and passion to our community. They’re a friendly group that doesn’t stand on ceremony and their bios below (listed in alphabetical order) are just a very small glimpse into who they are.

Contact us for further information, or if you too, would like to join us on the board and make a difference, we would welcome you.

Introducing
Bertha Sue Dixon
Southern Forest World Director

Married in 1977 to Edgar Dennie Dixon, I have had the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom to homeschool our son. After that, I embarked on a fulfilling career as a substitute teacher in the Pierce County School System. However, my passion for education and the natural world led me to Southern Forest World, where I now proudly work. It is an honor to be a part of this board, alongside dedicated individuals who share my commitment to preserving the rich history and beauty of our forests. Together, we strive to make a difference and invite you to join us on this journey.

OUR BOARD alphabetically

Introducing
Angela Carstens

Nestled in the heart of Waycross, Georgia, Angela Carstens is a talented fine artist and muralist whose vibrant works can be seen adorning various local spaces, including the captivating entrance to Southern Forest World. With a passion for storytelling through art, Angela transforms blank walls into vivid narratives that celebrate the beauty of our natural surroundings. Her murals not only enhance the environment but also invite the community to experience the rich culture and history of our region. As you stroll through Waycross, keep an eye out for her magic touch that seamlessly blend imagination with the essence of Southeast Georgia’s landscape.

Introducing
Barry Deas
President

An accomplished individual with a strong educational background. Throughout his career, John has held various positions, including Forest Landowner/Farmer, member of the Ware County Board of Education in Waycross, Georgia Department of Agriculture the list just goes on. In addition to his professional endeavors, John actively contributes to his community. He is a member of Manor United Methodist Church and is married and between them have two grown-up children who have then given him 2 wonderful grandchildren.

Introducing
Bob Brown

With his expertise in marketing, small business development, and government procurement, Bob has the skills to make a significant impact on your organization. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Bob is also a certified Veteran counselor, an artist, an illustrator, and a designer. His artistic talents have blended seamlessly with his business acumen, allowing him to create Brown Ink Associates, an artist’s agency, and Brown Ink Fine Art Gallery. Bob’s expertise extends to government procurement, where he can guide your organization in developing effective government marketing strategies. Visit his site at browninkdesign.net.

Introducing
Carolyn Mobley

To follow.

Introducing
Cliff Lewis

A passionate farmer and dedicated steward of the land. Born and raised on a farm in Jeff Davis County, Cliff’s deep connection to nature led him to manage timberland and pecan trees on his family farm. As a Forestry Technology Instructor and a valued member of the Southern Forest World board, Cliff brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our community. His commitment to preserving Georgia’s natural resources is evident in everything he does. We are honored to have Cliff Lewis as a part of our board, working tirelessly to protect our forests and share their rich history with the world.

Introducing
David L. Jordan
Secretary

As a retired State Park Ranger from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, David brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Southern Forest World Board. With over three decades of dedicated service, including 25 years in Law Enforcement and managing various facilities across six parks, David understands the importance of protecting and managing Georgia’s natural resources. He has a passion for providing educational programs to the public, believing that education plays a crucial role in safeguarding the environment. With his background in managing invaluable resources, David is honored to contribute to the Southern Forest World community.

Introducing
Dawn Hanson

Born in South Dakota, I dedicated many years of my life to serving the government, specifically with the United States Postal Service. Throughout my career, I always cherished interacting with people on both sides of the counter. Now, my focus has shifted to sharing the wonders of nature with others. For the past 12 years, my husband and I have proudly served as presidents of a volunteer organization at our local state park. Our primary objective is to raise funds for projects that enhance the visitor experience, making our local park even more enjoyable. Support is crucial for the success of Southern Forest World, and I invite you to help us preserve Georgia’s history and natural resources.

Introducing
Denise Lee
Treasurer

A dedicated and accomplished individual, has made significant contributions to her community. Alongside her husband, they became the owners and operators of Lee Hardware & Building Supply, now a thriving minority-run, multimillion-dollar company. She is an active member of Sweat Memorial Baptist Church, serving in various roles. Denise’s love for family and enjoyment of reading and mystery movies add depth to her vibrant personality. As CEO of Lee Hardware & Building Supply, Denise brings her expertise, dedication, and leadership to the forefront, ensuring the success and growth of her company.

Introducing
Derek Harrison

Derek Harrison, originally from England, brings his creative talents to Southern Forest World as the owner of Serva Creative, a graphic design company here in Ware County. With his dedication to living a healthy lifestyle as Derek and his wife Deborah are vegetarian and enjoy working on their home and garden. Their commitment to sustainability and preserving the natural beauty of the world aligns perfectly with Southern Forest World’s mission. Derek’s expertise and passion for design adds a unique perspective to our board, as we strive to tell the past and present story of forestry in Southeast Georgia.

Introducing
Jamie Sanders

A graduate of Valdosta State University and co-owner of Sanders Honey Company, LLC with her husband, Josh Sanders. While Josh focuses on caring for honeybees, hives, and honey production, Jamie takes care of wholesale operations, honey product packaging, and retail. They are also proud parents to three children, Ansleigh, who is currently a junior at Valdosta State University, Allie, a senior at WCHS, and Jordan, who is in the 6th grade at WXMS. With their expertise and dedication, the Sanders family is committed to providing high-quality honey and honey products to their customers.

Introducing
Jerry Buckley

While Jerry Buckley may not hold a formal position on our board, his contributions as our dedicated grant writer are invaluable to the success of Southern Forest World. Jerry’s expertise in crafting compelling grant proposals not only secures vital funding but also helps us amplify our mission of preserving and celebrating the rich history of forestry in Southeast Georgia. His behind-the-scenes work ensures that our projects thrive, allowing us to share the beauty and importance of our natural resources with the broader community. We are grateful for Jerry’s passion and commitment, which play a crucial role in our endeavors.

Introducing
Patricia Ann McQuaig McCarthy, PhD
Vice President

With a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and a Master of Science degree in Food Science Microbiology from the University of Georgia, Patricia’s passion for microbiology has fueled her academic success. As a loving mother to four daughters, Patricia’s dedication to education extends beyond her own children, as she spent 27 years teaching in the Georgia school system. Actively involved in the United Methodist Church, she has devoted nearly three decades to teaching Sunday school. Additionally, Patricia and her family manage a substantial family timber farm and have been recognized as Georgia Tree Farmer of the Year.

Introducing
Richard Booth

A proud graduate of the Ware County Magnet School (Agriculture School) in 2002. Richard is a dedicated family man and happily married to Ashley Westberry Booth, with four beautiful children. As the owner of US Crate and the distributor of SNO BIZ of Georgia, Richard is deeply rooted in the local business community. His invaluable passion for serving others makes him an asset to our board. With his strong ties to the community and commitment to excellence, Richard feels that ‘together, we can preserve and celebrate the rich history and beauty of our forests.’

Introducing
Rusty Grace

He passionate pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Waycross. With six children and a deep love for family involvement and the community, Rusty brings a unique perspective to our board. His dedication to preserving Georgia’s natural resources shines through in his work, and we are honored to have him as a part of Southern Forest World. Not only does Rusty welcome you to his Church, he welcomes you to join us as we celebrate the rich history and beauty of our forests together.

Introducing
Sandy Joyce Head

Sandy is the passionate President of Head Publishing Group. With a lifelong dedication to the newspaper business, Sandy’s expertise and leadership have propelled The Waycross Journal-Herald, The Blackshear Times, and the Brantley Beacon to new heights. When she’s not immersed in the world of publishing, Sandy enjoys crocheting, listening to true crime dramas, and cherishing moments with her loving husband Rick, and their six children. As a proud board member of Southern Forest World, Sandra is committed to raising awareness about the historical significance and natural resources of our region.

you'll never look at a tree in the same way ever again!

The World Famous 'Stuckie'

The mummified dog as seen on Ripley’s Believe It or Not

Indoor Tree

In the center of our two-story learning facility & museum

Spectacular all wood vaulted ceiling

Why would you build it in anything else, with us being all about trees!

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We had a great time looking at the different displays of agriculture and animals and climbing the “tree” to the second floor. It was awesome discovering the mummified dog, playing outside on the shady playground, digging for dinosaurs in the sandbox, and seeing all of the huge living and nonliving trees. Would be a great place for toddler groups, homeschool groups, social clubs, business lunches, school field trips, and church groups or book clubs.

CL Campbell

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I took my granddaughter to Southern Forest World and we both loved it.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that they have information and things to see for all ages rather than childish and boring for the parents or too much interesting adult information that the kids get fidgety and want to go.
It’s an interesting place to visit, and not what I expected, and would recommend it to anyone.

D Harrison

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Simply the best! Highly recommend a visit to see Stuckie!

JB Porter

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We “accidentally” found Southern Forest World on valentine’s day. Our plan was to leave the miss swampfest pageant my daughter was in and drive on to Florida until we spotted the train. Lol. We turned around and had the best-unexpected adventure of the day! This is a great place to bring the kids! It’s full of information and eye-catching exhibits! There’s an outside playground, we loved the spider web! there’s an indoor tree with a spiral staircase inside and a gift shop! So many wonderful exhibits and the manager was so sweet! I wish we could have made it back this weekend for the Arbor Day celebration, I know it will be a blast for everyone!

LL Alligood-Breeden