NASHVILLE — Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. announces the addition of David Neumann to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) Business Development Division.
Neumann has 30 years of experience in the forest management industry and will serve as the division’s Forestry Business Consultant. He will support the growth of the Tennessee wood products industry by assisting new and growing forestry companies.
“With his background in the marketing of forest products, David is ideally placed to work with industry and private landowners,” said Commissioner Hatcher. “We are delighted that he will continue his work in agribusiness development. He will be able to meet the needs of our forestry business partners and provide new ideas to drive their success.”
For nearly 25 years, Neumann worked for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, where he served as a Forest Marketing and Utilization Specialist in the Forest Resources Division. Prior to that position, he was State Forester and Forestry and Forestry Engineer in the Forestry, Minerals and Fire Management Department.
Prior to his public service, Neumann ran a Michigan forestry industry consulting firm. He managed timber sales, performed timber appraisals, acted as an expert witness for timber violations and wrote management plans for clients through the Forest Stewardship Program.
“I’m excited to partner with Tennessee’s number one industry — agriculture and forestry,” Neumann said. “Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with many facets of the timber products industry, as a specialist in timber uses and markets, as a forest analyst and as a forest ranger for private land. I look forward to building relationships with the state’s landowners and forest owners that will have a positive impact on Tennessee’s rural economy.”
Neumann earned multiple degrees from Michigan State University in East Lansing. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and a Masters in Forestry with an emphasis on Forestry.
TDA’s Business Development Division connects business owners and entrepreneurs with resources, provides ideas for innovation opportunities, and facilitates relationships with organizations and agencies that can help. For more information, visit www.tn.gov/agbusinessdevelopment.
