Green Mountain Division

Chair

Alissa (Al) Freeman
Term: 1/1/2026 – 12/31/2026
alissa.freeman@vermont.gov

Al is the Climate Forester for the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation serving as a resource on climate adaptation and carbon science for both private and state lands. She is also a PhD Candidate at the University of Vermont where her research focuses on tree physiological response to climate adaptive forest management to better understand how different management strategies affect tree response and recovery to stressors. She earned her master’s degree in plant biology from Oklahoma State University and a BS in biology from the University of Kansas. She has worked as a University Extension Program Specialist at New Mexico State University and as a field technician in Montana, and Oklahoma. When not at work, Al spends her time cross country skiing, ice skating, and making pottery.

Chair-Elect

Tessa McGann
Term: 1/1/2026 – 12/31/2026
tessa.mcgann@vermont.gov

Tessa McGann is a county forester with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, serving landowners in the southwestern corner of the state. She holds a BA in geosciences from Smith College and earned an MS from UVM for her research on how foresters across the Northeast adapt to climate change. Prior to becoming county forester, Tessa worked as a forestry technician in southern Vermont, and has held a variety of other jobs, including chainsaw operator, state park interpreter, and synchronized swimming coach. In addition to GMD, Tessa serves on committees for the Women Foresters Collaborative, Vermont Woodlands Association, the Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Council, and VT Tree Farm.

Immediate Past Chair

Emily Meacham
Term: 1/1/2026 – 12/31/2026
Emily.Meacham@vermont.gov

Emily is a forest health specialist with the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation working in the Northeast Kingdom (District 5). Emily earned a master’s degree in forestry from the University of Maine. She has conducted research on post-harvest assessments of downed wood and wound severity as it relates to decay compartmentalization. In addition to her work with forest health, Emily spent many years conducting timber harvests and road construction in Maine and the NEK. When not at work, Emily spends her time Nordic skiing, farming, and hiking in the white mountains.

Secretary

Brandon Benedict
Term: 1/1/26-12/31/27
Brandon.Benedict@vermont.gov

Brandon is a county forester with the Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation serving residents in Chittenden County, northern Addison County, and the Mad River Valley. Brandon earned a Master of Forestry degree from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and worked previously as a Forest Inventory and Analysis Forester for South Carolina. Prior to beginning his career in forestry Brandon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics with a minor in Exercise and held a variety of positions including nutritionist for the Cornell Cooperative Extension, personal trainer, vault attendant for a casino, and rehabilitation aide. In his free time Brandon enjoys hiking, photography, cooking, and spending time with his family.

Treasurer

Chloe Sardonis
Term: 1/1/25 – 12/31/26
chloe.sardonis@vermont.gov

Chloe joined Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation as a Protection Forester in 2022 after completing her Forestry degree at the University of Vermont. Chloe participates in the state’s Wildland Fire program, both locally and out of state, and has an interest in the intersection of silviculture and forest health. Growing up in central Vermont, Chloe spent her childhood exploring and collecting treasures from the woods. She is thrilled to continue that exploration everyday as a Protection Forester where she gets to keep learning about forest health and share her love of the woods with any central Vermonter who will listen. She lives in Brookfield with her partner and small dog where she loves birding, making soup, and driving back roads.

Policy Chair

Kevin Fink
Term: 1/1/25 – 12/31/26
kfink@burlingtonelectric.com

NESAF Representative & News Correspondent

Jess Wikle
Term: 1/1/2025 – 12/31/2026
jessica.wikle@uvm.edu

Jess is the manager of the Research Forests and member of the forestry faculty at UVM, where she is also a PhD candidate studying climate-adaptive silviculture. She has been an SAF member since 2007, and served on the leadership team of the Yale SAF student chapter, as well as attending the 2022 SAF Leadership Academy. Prior to UVM, she completed an MFS degree at the Yale Forest School, preceded by several years working as a consulting forester in CT and MA. She earned a BS in Forestry from UNH in 2009. She has been a licensed forester since 2012 and is also a member of the Forest Stewards Guild and New England Women Foresters Collaborative.