Avery Roberts, the President of the Florida Forestry Association, was featured on the cover of the October Florida Trend magazine.
In its cover story, the monthly publication outlined the struggles of the state’s timber industry, beginning with Hurricane Michael in 2018 and the impact storms and adverse market conditions have had on rural communities.
The story also highlighted the closures of the West Fraser timber mill near Lake Butler and the Georgia-Pacific pulp mill in Perry.
Roberts planted his first stand of pines at age 17 and launched his company, The Roberts Companies, the following year. Today, he still operates the enterprise with his son, C. Austen Roberts, and daughter, Amber Crawford.
In 2024, Roberts took over as president of the Florida Forestry Association from fellow Union County resident Jimmy Bielling.
In 2021, Florida Gateway College dedicated its public safety school in Olustee to Avery and Twyla Roberts.
