Tree Farm Leaders
Tree Farm Staff
The American Forest Foundation, national governing body of the American Tree Farm System, funds 3 national staff positions to support grassroots, state-based operation of the Tree Farm program.
The Director of ATFS provides overall leadership for the program, working to align ATFS strategy with AFF's strategic priorities and the interests of partners and stakeholders, and representing the program on the national and global stage. The Director reports directly to AFF's executive team.
ATFS's Network Manager, reports to the Director, and provides program support to state programs in their recognition, educational, and peer-to-peer networking activities. The Network Manager is typically who you deal with for questions about state program payments, sign orders, ATFS branded items, and regional and national awards.
ATFS's Certification Manager, who also reports to the Director, manages the implementation of the ATFS third-party forest management certification scheme. Companies using ATFS certification to make third-party verified claims of sustainability in the forest products supply chain, certification group managers, individual certificate holders, and certification bodies typically communicate with the Certification Manager.
Learn more about our team below!
Our Team
Angela Wells
Senior Director, American Tree Farm System
Angela Mallon Wells was born and raised on a certified Tree Farm in central Washington State, an upbringing which set the trajectory for her career in community-based conservation and forest stewardship. She has been in her role at AFF since 2019, and prior to that was a liaison to the Montana Tree Farm program in her role as Stewardship Program Manager at the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. She still resides in western Montana on 20 acres of mixed conifer forest with her family, and of course they proudly display the "Certified Family Forest" sign. In her spare time, she enjoys all kinds of adventures with her family, gardening, long-distance trail running, and almost any outdoor activity that can be pursued in the woods or mountains.
Parks Brigman
ATFS Network Manager
Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, Parks has been part of the Tree Farm team at AFF since 2020. Prior to that, he worked for the South Dakota Division of Resource Conservation & Forestry for 10 years as service forester and Forest Stewardship Program manager. He was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina and studied forestry at Virginia Tech, a career path inspired by time spent on his grandparents’ Tree Farm in Alleghany County, Virginia. Outside of work Parks enjoys spending time with his wife exploring the Black Hills, going to concerts, and is always looking for good food.
Steve Lloyd
ATFS Senior Certification Manager
Stephen is a native Floridian and longtime resident of DeLand, Florida. An avid outdoorsman, he is passionate about connecting people to the land and ensuring forests are conserved and sustainably managed for future generations. Following his enlistment in the USCG, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources and Conservation from the University of Florida in 1995. His career has included time in both the private forestry sector as well as a 21 year stint with the Florida Forest Service. He now serves as ATFS Certification Manager with the American Forest Foundation, supporting sustainable forest management efforts nationwide. Stephen’s life and career reflect a deep commitment to service. From his early involvement in Scouting and military service to his work as a volunteer firefighter, service forester, and wildland firefighter, he has consistently dedicated himself to protecting both people and natural resources.