The Allegheny Forest Alliance (AFA) is a non-profit coalition of citizens, school districts, townships and boroughs, timber, lumber and wood product manufacturers, sporting and wildlife conservation groups, trade associations, and others concerned with the health of the Allegheny National Forest and the stability of ANF host communities.
Formally organized in 1997, the AFA strives to maintain a healthy relationship between our rural communities and the Allegheny National Forest, and to see the National Forest managed using sustainable methods. This will assure the long-term health of the National Forest, rural communities, the local forest products industry, and the adjacent public and private lands.
Scope of AFA Activities:
- The AFA is a voice for school districts, townships, communities, recreation groups, businesses and others concerned with the under-management of public lands in the Allegheny National Forest.
- The AFA promotes public interest in maintaining an adequate, stable and sustainable supply of forest goods and services as guaranteed by law.
- The AFA supports continued use of public forest lands for recreational use.
- The AFA advocates multiple uses of our forest resources and provides education about forestry practices to the public as well as to local, state and federal legislators.
- The AFA coordinates public relations efforts to bring attention to or solicit support for Alliance positions on current legislative and forest initiatives.
- The AFA offers expert testimony at hearings related to forest use policies.
- The AFA is an Allegheny Forest Health Collaborative partner, working to identify solutions to forest health issues on the ANF.
AFA Board of Directors (2023)
School District Representatives (7 permanent seats)
- Bradford – Amy Yohe, Director of Finance
- Forest County – Amanda Hetrick, Superintendent (Secretary)
- Johnsonburg – Karen Haberberger, Superintendent
- Kane – Jeannine Kloss, Superintendent
- Ridgway – Heather McMahon-Vargas, Superintendent
- Smethport – Brice Benson, Superintendent
- Warren – Amy Stewart, Superintendent
Townships (4 permanent seats)
- Elk County – Michelle Bogacki, Ridgway Twp. Secretary (Treasurer)
- Forest County – Beverly Pollock, Howe Twp. Secretary
- McKean County – Jim Myers, Hamlin Twp. Supervisor
- Warren County – Justin Hansen, Mead Twp. Supervisor
At-Large Representatives (up to 15 on a 3-year rotation)
- Dan Weaver, PA Independent Oil & Gas Association
- Norm Strotman, Northwest Savings Bank
- Amy Shields, Allegheny Hardwoods Utilization Group
- Ken Kane, Generations Forestry
- Arthur Stewart, Pennsylvania Grade Crude Oil Coalition
- Paul Webster, Klondike Timber Resources (President)
- Nadine Pollock, Retired USFS-ANF
- Bob Snyder, Forest County Commissioner
- John Saf, Generations Forestry
- Tyler Martin, Caledonia Land Company (Vice President)
- Michael Oliver, Cochran and Zandi Lumber & FASD School Board
Executive Staff (non-voting)
- Julia McCray – Executive Director
*Board meetings are held at 2:30 pm on the 4th Thursday every quarter at various locations within the four counties. Contact the Executive Director if you wish to attend and address the Board.