Office Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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Administrative and Program Staff
- Ariens, A.J. - Forest Archaeologist
aariens@dnr.IN.gov
317-232-0141
A.J. began her career as an Intermittent Forest Archaeologist in 2002 and took on her role as our full-time Archaeologist in 2004.
She received her Bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Indiana State University in 2000 and her Master’s degree in anthropology in 2003 from the University of Cincinnati where she specialized in Midwest archaeology. Her hobbies include photography, gardening, hiking, and camping.
- Bridges, Darren - Fire Coordinator
Darren joined the Division of Forestry in 1997 as assistant property manager at Martin State Forest. He later became the Indiana state fire coordinator in 2013. Darren earned a B.S. degree in natural resources from Ball State University. He enjoys hunting and fishing in his free time.
- Gonso, Chris - Hardwoods Program Manager
317-234-5004
cgonso@isda.IN.gov
Chris began his career with the Division of Forestry in 2009 and took on his role as hardwoods program manager in 2018. Chris earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. His hobbies include growing native fruit and nut trees.
- Flachskam, Jill - GIS Specialist
jflachskam@dnr.IN.gov
317-232-4106
Jill joined the Division of Forestry in 2017 after working as the GIS Specialist for the Division of Reclamation’s Abandoned Mine Land Program for several years. She also serves as the State Land Office Director in association with the Division of Land Acquisition and the Indiana Department of Administration.
She received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Transylvania University, a Master’s in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Michigan, and a Certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Western Kentucky University. Her hobbies include hiking, birding, yoga, museums, and theater.
- Smith, Zach - Property Specialist
zsmith@dnr.IN.gov
317-232-4117
Zack began his career with the Division of Forestry in August of 2000 as a Forest Entomologist and assumed his duties as Forest Programs Coordinator in August of 2006. In addition to his current job duties and continuing some duties as a Forest Entomologist, he also coordinates the division’s State Fair exhibit.
Zack graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s degree in forestry in 1999. His hobbies include camping and fishing.
- Haulton, Scott - Forestry Wildlife Specialist
shaulton@dnr.IN.gov
317-234-5725
Scott’s service with the Division of Forestry began in 2007 when he was hired to coordinate the Division’s state forest wildlife habitat management program and provide guidance on forest wildlife habitat to various sections of the Division, other resource management professionals, and the general public.
Scott earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from the State University of New York-Geneseo and a Bachelor's in environmental and forest biology from the State University of New York-College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He also holds a Master’s degree in wildlife science from Virginia Tech. His hobbies include hiking, camping, canoeing, photography and fanatically following the Colts.
- Hawkins, Bob - Nursery Supervisor
bhawkins@dnr.IN.gov
812-358-3621
Bob started working for the Division of Forestry in 1987 as an intermittent in our tree improvement program. He later became Nursery Operations Manager and has served as the Nursery Section Supervisor since 2004. In addition to his usual duties at the nursery, Bob also provides Arbor Day tree seedlings for all DNR programs and offers a leaf collection trail for school children with more than 100 trees identified.
Bob earned a Bachelor’s degree in forest management from Purdue University, and his interests include hunting, fishing, hiking, vacationing with family, exercising, and rafting.
- Huter, Brenda - Stewardship Coordinator
bhuter@dnr.IN.gov
317-232-0142
Brenda’s career with the Division of Forestry began at Yellowwood State Forest where she served as a GIS Intern and later became a Resource Specialist. She assumed her current duties in 2004. She also serves as a meeting facilitator and is trained in wildland firefighting.
Brenda graduated from Carroll College with a Bachelor’s degree in biology and geology. She also holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science focused on applied ecology, and a Master of Public Affairs in natural resource management, both from Indiana University. Her hobbies and interests include kayaking, backpacking, gardening, cooking and reading.
- Roos, Jacob - Community & Urban Forestry Outreach Coordinator
jroos@dnr.IN.gov
317-234-4386
Jacob joined the Division of Forestry in December of 2022 as the Community and Urban Forestry Director. He is certified through the ISA as an arborist and is Tree Risk Assessment Qualified. He graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in Forestry.
His hobbies include enjoying the outdoors with his family, gardening, and reading.
- Marshall, Phil - Insect & Disease Specialist
pmarshall@dnr.IN.gov
812-358-3621
Phil joined the Division of Forestry as Forest Health Specialist in 1974 and assumed his current dual role as Forest Health Specialist and the Director of the Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology in 2007. He is also a forest health monitoring surveyor and trainer, ozone surveyor, and conducts aerial surveys for forest pest damage.
Phil holds a Master’s degree in forestry from Duke University, and his other interests include history and pharmacy.
- McCoy, Duane - Timber Buyer Licensing Forester
dmccoy@dnr.IN.gov
317-232-4112
Duane joined the Division of Forestry in 1996 as an intermittent employee, in 1997 he became the Improved Harvesting Practices (IHP), Forester, before becoming the LTB Forester in 2006. Duane works on the Timber Buyers Licensing program, Indiana Forestry Best Management Practices (BMP) program, Watershed Conservation through Forestry program, and the Hoosier Ecosystem Experimental (HEE) Research Forest project.
Duane studied Pre-Forestry at Ball State University, and received a BS degree in Forest Management from Oregon State University as well as a Masters Degree in Forest Management. His hobbies include family, fishing, and golf.
- O'Conner, Phil - Tree Improvement Specialist
poconnor@dnr.IN.gov
812-358-3621
Phil’s career with the Division of Forestry began in 2000 when he was hired as Tree Improvement Specialist. In addition to the duties entailed in this position, he also represents the Division of Forestry on the Invasive Plant Species Assessment working group and the state’s Invasive Species Task Force.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in forestry and a Master’s in forest genetics, both from the University of Illinois. Phil’s hobbies include backpacking, sailing, fishing, hunting, shooting, and reading.
- Eiler, Lexington - Project Learning Tree Coordinator
leiler@dnr.IN.gov
317-234-5143
Lexi joined the Division of Forestry in November 2022. Her role as the forestry education specialist includes coordinating Indiana Project Learning Tree and Division of Forestry social media. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Wildlife from the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University in 2018. After graduation, her work specialized in nonformal education and conservation outreach. She enjoys hiking, birding, and playing board/card games in her free time.
- Schneck, Brad - Assistant State Forester, Properties
bschneck@dnr.IN.gov
317-232-4101
Brad joined the Division of Forestry in 1998 as a Resource Specialist. He briefly left the division in 2002 to serve as Conservation Director of the natural resource program at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center. He returned to the Division of Forestry in 2007 as Property Manager of two properties before becoming an Assistant State Forester in 2019.
Brad earned his Bachelor’s degree in forest management from Purdue University. In his free time, he enjoys family, competitive bass fishing, and hunting.
- Seifert, John - State Forester
jseifert@dnr.IN.gov
317-232-4116
Jack’s employment with the Division of Forestry began in 2005 when he was hired as State Forester and Director of the Division of Forestry. Previously, he served as Extension Research Forester for Purdue University from 1979 to 2005 where he did apply research in plantation and natural stand management. He provided continuing education for professional foresters and woodland owners for 27 years, impacting thousands of landowners and authoring more than 50 research publications. He oversees the certification of state and private forestlands under the North American and international sustainability “green” standards and is active with the Indiana Tree Farm program, the Indiana Woodland Owners Association, the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, and the Indiana Forest Industry Council.
Jack earned his forestry degrees from the University of Missouri. His hobbies and interests include furniture design and construction, tree planting, timber stand improvement work, taking walks through one of the family tree farms, and traveling internationally with his family.
- Vacant - Forest Resource Information
This position is currently open. Questions may be directed to Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Hardwoods Program Manager: https://www.in.gov/isda/divisions/economic-development/hardwoods/
- Vacant - Forest Programs Coordinator
This position is currently available.
- Vacant - State Community & Urban Forestry Coordinator
This position is currently available.
- Vacant - Assistant State Forester, Coop. Forest Mgmt.
This position is currently available.
- Koehne, Steve - Land Surveyor
skoehne@dnr.IN.gov
317-232-4111
Steve graduated from Vincennes University’s Surveying Technology program with an Associate degree in Science in 1999. He worked for several companies in the Indianapolis area before becoming a licensed land surveyor in 2008. He then started a land surveying business, which he operated until joining the DNR Division of Forestry in September 2022. In his spare time, Steve enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, and golfing.
- Ramey, Barbara - Administrative Assistant
317-232-4105
bramey@dnr.IN.gov
Barbara started with the division in 1998 at Selmier State Forest. In 1999, she moved to Indianapolis and began her second career as an administrative assistant to the Division of Forestry. Barbara has a background in accounting, payroll, purchasing, and human resources. She assists with answering phone and email inquiries from the public and division properties. Her hobbies include reading, crocheting, photography, and taking trips with her granddaughter.
- Marsh, Shelia - Administrative Assistant
317-234-5210
smarsh@dnr.IN.gov
Sheila joined the Division of Forestry in 2007 but has been with DNR since 1988. She works on the Timber Buyers Licensing program processing license applications for Indiana’s Timber Buyers and assists with administrative duties both in the Central Office and the Forestry properties.
- Crecelius, Megan - Forest Ecologist/Botanist
317-308-3386
mcrecelius@dnr.IN.gov
Megan began her career with the Division of Forestry in February of 2016, working on the Forest Inventory and Analysis/Continuous Forest Inventory crew. She transitioned to forest ecologist in October of 2022. Megan completed her Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in ecology and conservation biology from Franklin College and a master’s from Ball State University in Botany. She enjoys gardening, hunting, fishing, kayaking, farming, and spending time with her family.
Property Management Staff
- Taylor Ardisson - Property Manager Owen-Putnam SF
2153 Fishcreek Road, Spencer, IN 47460
812-829-2462
tardisson@dnr.IN.gov
Taylor joined the Division of Forestry in October 2018 as a resource specialist at Jackson-Washington State Forest. In October 2020, he accepted the property manager position at Owen-Putnam State Forest. Taylor graduated from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in forestry. After graduation, he worked in Florida as a state lands forester until 2018.
- Darren Bridges - Property Manager Morgan-Monroe & Yellowwood SF
6220 Forest Road, Martinsville, IN 46151
765-792-4654
dbridges@dnr.IN.gov
Darren joined the Division of Forestry in 1997 as assistant property manager at Martin State Forest He later became the Indiana state fire coordinator in 2013. Darren earned a B.S. degree in natural resources from Ball State University. He enjoys hunting and fishing in his free time.
- Elena Crosier - Property Manager Clark SF
P.O. Box 119, Henryville, IN 47126
812-294-4306
ecrosier@dnr.IN.gov
Elena began her career with the Division of Forestry as a resource specialist at Harrison-Crawford State Forest in 2014. During her time there she became a member of the Division of Forestry’s GIS committee, served as secretary of the Indiana Society of American Foresters, and twice earned the division’s Resource Specialist of the Year Award. In 2021, she became the second woman to manage one of Indiana’s state forests and the first woman to manage Indiana’s oldest, Clark State Forest. Elena earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from Purdue University.
- Vacant - Assistant Property Manager Morgan Monroe SF
6220 Forest Road, Martinsville, IN 46151
765-792-4654 - Alex Gust - Property Manager Martin SF
14040 Williams Road, Shoals, IN 47581
812-247-3491
agust@dnr.IN.gov
Alex began his career with the Division of Forestry in March 2020 as the Resource Specialist at Martin State Forest. He was promoted to Property Manager of Martin State Forest in 2023. He graduated from Michigan State University in 2019 with a forestry degree and a minor in environmental studies and sustainability. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, hiking, and woodworking.
- Derrick Potts - Assistant Property Manager Yellowwood SF
Road, Nashville, IN 47448
812-988-7945
dpotts@dnr.IN.gov
Derrick started his career with the DNR in 2001 at McCormick’s Creek State Park as a seasonal laborer. After receiving his B.S. in forestry from Purdue University in 2006, he joined the Division of Forestry as a seasonal forester at Morgan-Monroe State Forest. In 2010, he was hired as a full-time forester at Jackson-Washington State Forest before becoming the assistant property manager at Yellowwood State Forest. Derrick spends his off-duty time rock climbing, practicing yoga, and making dull things sharp using traditional Japanese waterstones.
- Dwayne Sieg - Property Manager Harrison-Crawford SF
7240 Old Forest Road SW, Corydon, IN 47112
812-738-7694
dsieg@dnr.IN.gov
Born and raised in Harrison County, Dwayne earned his bachelor's degree in Forestry from Purdue in 1978. He started with the Division of Forestry in October of that year at Jackson-Washington State Forest as a forester for about 1 ½ years, then served as a forester at Yellowwood State Forest for a year. He was assistant district forester at North Vernon, briefly. In June 1981, he became property manager at Jackson-Washington State Forest, where he served until October 1985 before transferring to Harrison-Crawford State Forest.
- Steve Siscoe - Property Manager Greene-Sullivan SF
2551 S. SR 159, Dugger, IN 47848
812-648-2810
ssiscoe@dnr.IN.gov
Steve started with the DNR as a co-op student while attending Purdue, working with the Division of Fish & Wildlife. Upon graduating with a B.S. in Forestry in 1984, he briefly worked for the Indiana DNR again before taking a job with the Missouri Department of Conservation. He returned to Indiana and started as an assistant property manager at Greene-Sullivan State Forest in 1986, where he has been property manager since June 1990.
- Amanda Smith - Property Manager Salamonie River SF
5400 E. Salamonie Forest Road, Lagro, IN 46941
260-782-0430
ASmith1@dnr.IN.gov
Amanda graduated in 2011 with a double major in Forestry and Wildlife Management from Purdue University. She began her career as a summer intern, completing Classified Forest re-inspections in Harrison and Crawford counties during the summer of 2011. Her next move was as an intermittent resource specialist at Yellowwood and Morgan-Monroe State Forests from May 2012 to September 2013. She then began working as the Resource Specialist / Assistant Property Manager for Ferdinand and Pike State Forests from September 2013 to October 2015. She then moved to become District Forester for Allen, DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble, and Steuben counties on Nov. 1, 2015. On Jan. 1, 2016, she also assumed the responsibilities of property manager for Salamonie River and Frances Slocum State Forests located in Wabash and Miami counties. Amanda enjoys hiking, gardening, reading, and traveling.
- Maddie Westbrook - Property Manager Selmier SF
905 E. CR 350 N., North Vernon, IN 47265
812-346-2286
mwestbrook@dnr.IN.gov
Maddie began working for the Division of Forestry as an inventory forester in 2015. She then transferred to a district forester position in 2017. She now works with landowners in Clark, Floyd, Jefferson, and Scott counties. She graduated from Purdue University in 2013 with a forestry degree. Her interests include camping, fishing, and swimming.
- Jamie Winner - Property Manager Ferdinand-Pike SF
6583 E. SR 264, Ferdinand, IN 47532
812-827-2857
jwinner@dnr.IN.gov
Jamie began working for the Division of Forestry part-time in 2001, assisting district foresters with classified forest re-inspections. He was hired full-time as a resource specialist at Clark State Forest in 2003 and transferred to Ferdinand-Pike State Forest in 2007. Jamie was hired into his current position as the property manager for Ferdinand-Pike State Forest in 2013. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Forestry from Purdue University in 2002.
- Josh Kush- Property Manager Jackson-Washington SF
1278 E. SR 250, Brownstown, IN 47220
812-358-2160
jkush@dnr.IN.gov
Josh’s career started with the Division of Forestry in 2010 as an assistant property manager at Morgan- Monroe State Forest. He worked as a resource specialist at Martin State Forest before becoming its property manager in 2019. He earned his bachelor’s degree in forestry from Paul Smith’s College.