Division of Forestry Staff

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.

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.

mcrecelius@dnr.IN.gov
317-308-3386

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.

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.

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.

cgonso@isda.IN.gov
317-234-5004

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.

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.

shigh@dnr.IN.gov 
765-516-3000

Sara joined the Division of Forestry in 2019 after graduating from Purdue University, where she studied forestry and business management. She began her career assisting with Classified Forest re-inspections in Greene County (District 5) before transitioning to her current role as the Indiana Hardwood Development Specialist and Woods on Wheels Coordinator.

Sara enjoys traveling the state and bringing Hoosiers to the woods through her educational program. When she’s not on the road with Woods on Wheels, she likes spending time on the water or talking her family and friends’ ears off about trees

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.

smarsh@dnr.IN.gov
317-234-5210

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.

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.

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.

VRajBasavaraja@dnr.IN.gov 
317-232-4115

Varsha joined the Division of Forestry in June 2025 as State Program Director. She leads the Continuous Forest Inventory (CFI) program, where she focuses on data analytics and reporting, integrating data from federal systems such as the USDA Forest Service's Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) into Indiana state's internal systems, and applying AI to turn raw inventory data into the population estimates, dashboards, and insights that guide statewide forest management decisions. Varsha holds a master's degree from Purdue University and brings a background in computer engineering to the role.

bramey@dnr.IN.gov
317-232-4105

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.

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.

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.

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.

rstenger@dnr.IN.gov
317-234-6741

Racheal began working for the Division of Forestry in June 2023. Her job duties include planning and attending urban forestry outreach events including Tree Stewards workshops and the annual Indiana Community and Urban Forestry Symposium.

Racheal got her B.S. and M.S. from Ball State University in Biology, with a focus on forest ecology. She likes working in the urban forestry realm because it is the cross-section between trees and people. In her free time, Racheal loves to read, weave macrame pieces, and go on hiking and camping trips.

This position is currently available.

This position is currently available.

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/

rwinks2@dnr.IN.gov 
812-358-3621

Rob started working for the Division of Forestry in 1993 in the Tree Improvement Program. He later became a Nursery Specialist, then Nursery Operation Manager and in 2025 became Nursery Section Supervisor.

Rob earned a bachelor’s degree in Forest Management from Purdue University and his interests include hunting, fishing, camping and horseback riding.

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.

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.

6220 Forest Road, Martinsville, IN 46151
765-792-4654
mahgriffin@dnr.IN.gov

Mahalah joined the Division of Forestry in 2023.

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.

2153 Fishcreek Road, Spencer, IN 47460
812-829-2462
pjones@dnr.IN.gov 

Phil joined the Division of Forestry in 2008 as a Resource Specialist at Greene-Sullivan State Forest. He transferred to Morgan-Monroe State Forest in 2011 and was promoted to Resource Manager in 2021. In 2026, he assumed his current position. Phil earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry from Southern Illinois University. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and playing disc golf.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2551 S. SR 159, Dugger, IN 47848
812-648-2810
zstrubler@dnr.IN.gov

Zane began working for the Division of Forestry in 2023, as a resource specialist at Greene-Sullivan State Forest. He was promoted to property manager in 2025.

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.

905 E. CR 350 N., North Vernon, IN 47265
812-346-2286