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2007 VFA Logger Merit
Award Winners |
Virginia loggers who meet specific quality performance
criteria are recognized with a VFA Logger Merit Award. Since
1979, the VFA has presented this award to 153 logging
contractors. To be considered for a Logger Merit Award, a
logger must be nominated by two individuals who have
personal knowledge regarding the high quality of his logging
operation. Key requirements for the award include:
• Completion of the Virginia’s SHARP Logger Program.
• Consistent adherence to Virginia’s forestry water quality
law and recommended Best Management Practices.
• Development of an excellent safety record through a strong
commitment to safety and genuine concern for their
employee’s well-being.
• Achievement of a high level of customer and landowner
satisfaction through a long-term commitment to operational
quality and business ethics.
• Management of an efficient and productive harvesting
operation that minimizes negative environmental impacts to
the forest site and/or residual timber stand.
• Portrayal of a positive image for the logging industry
throughout the community.
Nominations are reviewed carefully and approved by a select
committee of VFA members including former Merit Award
recipients. Loggers receiving the award maintain Merit
Logger status for five years, after which they are eligible
for re-nomination.
Jerry Defibaugh, with Defibaugh Logging from Free Union
in Albemarle County, operates along with his son Wayne in
Albemarle and Louisa counties and surrounding areas in the
Northern Piedmont. Jerry typically runs a clear cutting
operation, but has flexiblity for other types of harvesting
while still maintaining an excellent reputation for striving
to achieve 100 percent BMP compliance on every job. He has a
reputation for great communication and relationships with
the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF), industry
Foresters and landowners. Jerry was nominated by Erik Filep,
VDOF Technician in Louisa County and Francis Richards,
Forester for Hairfield Lumber Corp. in Louisa.
 David
Knighton, with J.H. Knighton Lumber Co. in Ruther Glen,
Va., grew up in the logging business and spent most of his
free time and summers working with his father, Joseph
Knighton who owned a sawmill and logging business. After
attending Virginia Tech, David began working full time in
the family business in 1986 and is currently the president.
David oversees operations which include a sawmill, and three
logging crews. Logging operations include one crew that
clear cuts, one crew that both clearcuts and whole tree
chips, and one thinning crew. J.H. Knighton Lumber Co. was
one of the first loggers in the area to utilize a whole tree
chipper and has just recently added a company forester to
their staff. David consistently implements BMPs to protect
water quality and maintains good relationships with the
Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF), industry foresters,
and landowners. David was nominated by Jerry Bailey, Forest
Technician for the VDOF in Caroline County and George Bobb,
Consulting forester in Fredericksburg.
 Joe
Shank with Morven Logging in Amelia Courthouse, Va.
began logging shortly after graduation in 1990 when he went
to work driving a skidder. Joe now owns and runs his own
logging crew. He operates in Amelia, Cumberland, Nottoway,
and Lunenburg counties where they normally do first
thinnings in pine plantations. They can switch to clear
cutting during wet periods, and they are one of the few
operators in the piedmont area that use high floatation dual
tires which allows them to work wet ground with less impact.
Joe credits much of his success to his faithful employees.
Morven logging provides its employees with benefits
including health insurance and a retirement plan. Morven
logging has a good record of implementing BMPs to protect
water quality, and maintains good relationships with
landowners, VDOF, industry foresters, and others. Joe was
nominated by Ben Cole with Huber Engineered Woods in Crystal
Hill, and Frank Brooks, Consulting Forester with Forest
Resource Management in King William, Va.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Ida and Jerry Defibaugh
Deborah and Tim Knighton, Rich and Sandra Hynson, David and
Sheila Knighton.
Elaine and Joe Shank.
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