Anniston native named as new State Forester

Greg Pate sworn in by Governor Bentley

The Alabama Forestry Commission Wednesday appointed Anniston native Greg Pate as the new State Forester.  Pate, a graduate of Walter Wellborn High School, was sworn in by Gov. Robert Bentley, and will replace Linda Casey, who retired in December after six years at the position.  Pate is a graduate of Auburn University and worked for more than 25 years in North Carolina’s Forest Service Department. In 2012, he was appointed to the position of North Carolina State Forester. Pate said the issues facing the Alabama forest industry are similar across the Southeast, and the biggest part of his job will be creating new relationships with private and public owners and state officials.