Find Your Genetic Investment Advisor
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Director of Sales and Marketing
Genetic Investment Advisor
Ben Lancaster
(864)-266-2066 blancaster@ifcoseedlings.com
Ben joined IFCO Seedlings in 2016 as a Genetic Investment Advisor on the sales team. He was promoted to his current role as Director of Sales and Marketing in 2022. His office is located at the company’s headquarters in Moultrie, GA, where he works closely with the other Genetic Investment Advisors. He assists his team by providing insight on the various genetic options available to their clients, with a focus on delivering the highest quality service to all customers.
Prior to joining IFCO Seedlings, Ben was an Account Executive with Outdoor Underwriters, Inc. His position allowed him opportunities to work closely with the forest and investment industries. He worked with TIMOs, consulting foresters, timberland owners, guides and outfitters, and prescribe burn managers to secure the best insurance products to meet their needs.
Ben received his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental and Natural Resources and a minor in Wildlife Biology from Clemson University. He is currently enrolled at Auburn University where he is pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Forest Finance and Investment. Ben is a graduate of Advancing Georgia’s Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry program (AGL). This program is part of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia. He will continue with his leadership project through a non-profit ministry called Fathers in the Field.
Ben is a member of the Society of American Foresters and actively involved with the Association of Consulting Foresters. He is also a member of the Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida Forestry Associations.
Ben is married and has two amazing boys. His free time is spent hunting, fishing, coaching sports, working on the farm, and spending time with family.
GENETIC INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Ernie Spiller
(205) 331-3450 Espiller@ifcoseedlings.com
Ernie joined IFCO Seedlings in 2021 as a Genetic Investment Advisor serving Alabama and Mississippi. He provides clients with information about genetic options that meet their long-term management objectives. His goal is to build relationships with all his clients while supporting their reforestation needs.
Ernie’s background includes 30 years of experience in forestry management. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management. He started his career at Gulf States Paper Corporation as an area forester in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He then transitioned into the private landowner sector as a forestry consultant for Southern Forestry Services, Inc. where he served his clients in West Alabama for 28 years.
Ernie is an Alabama Registered Forester and a proud member of the Alabama and Mississippi Forestry Associations. Ernie is actively engaged with the Association of Consulting Foresters and serves as a certified American Tree Farm Inspector.
Ernie is married and has one son. He enjoys playing golf, fishing, family time on the beach, and time with friends.
GENETIC INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Jeff Cravey
(936) 355-5576 jcravey@ifcoseedlings.com
Jeff joined IFCO Seedlings in 2015 as the Western Gulf Genetic Investment Advisor. He serves clients in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisana. He provides his clients critical insight into the various genetic options available in the marketplace and offers them recommendations on silviculture and seedling deployment.
Jeff graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with a Forest Technology degree. Prior to joining IFCO Seedlings, Jeff worked with the Georgia Forestry Commission and F&W Forestry Services. His work background includes nursery technician, field forester, and client manager. Jeff’s career path allowed him the opportunity to work closely with institutional landowners and individual landowners. Jeff’s 29 years of field forestry and management experience gives him a unique perspective to serve all clients’ needs, whether they are small landowners or institutional clients.
Jeff served as the President of the Trinity Brazos chapter as well as the State Chair of the Society of American Foresters. He also serves as a board member of the Texas Forestry Association. Jeff is active with the TX, OK, AR, and LA Forestry Associations as well as the Association of Consulting Foresters.
Jeff is married and has three children. He enjoys sports, fishing, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends.
GENETIC INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Andrew Stewart
(336) 613-7654 astewart@ifcoseedlings.com
Andrew joined IFCO Seedlings in the fall of 2018 and is based out of the Washington, NC office. As a Genetic Investment Advisor, he supports our reforestation partners in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. His experience in nursery operations and reforestation bring added value to the clients he serves.
Prior to joining IFCO Seedlings, Andrew spent 6 years working for Weyerhaeuser’s Southern Regeneration business. He served as the Eastern Seedling Sales Manager with focus and experience in pine nursery management. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management from North Carolina State University.
Andrew is an active member of the Society of American Foresters and a regular supporter of the Association of Consulting Foresters. He is also a member of the Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina Forestry Associations. He actively participates in several county forestry associations across the Carolinas and represents IFCO Seedlings at several University cooperatives.
Andrew enjoys spending time with his wife, Brittany, and their two beautiful children Sawyer and Sadie. He spends his free time fishing, hunting, farming, and enjoying the outdoors with family and friends.
GENETIC INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Blake Reese
breese@ifcoseedlings.com
850-445-2437
Blake joined IFCO seedlings in 2022 as a Genetic Investment Advisor serving Florida and South
Georgia. He supports reforestation efforts in this region by providing insight into the various
genetic opportunities available. His focus is to build relationships with clients and provide quality
service.
Blake graduated from the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor of Science degree
in Forestry Resources and Conservation. While in school, Blake also played baseball for the
Florida Gators. He was a member of the 2017 National Championship team and was elected
team captain as a senior, providing him with unique leadership experience. Prior to joining
IFCO, he began his career as a consulting forester with American Forest Management,
spending time in both their Alachua and Lynn Haven offices. This experience allowed him to
work directly with landowners of all sizes, in order to fulfill their unique land management
objectives.
He is an active member of the Florida Forestry Association and is engaged in their Forestry
Forward program. He is also a member of the Georgia Forestry Association.
Blake is married and enjoys spending time with family and friends. His passions include
volunteering at church, fishing, hunting and running.
Technical Manager
Donnie Fleming
(850) 227-8437 dfleming@ifcoseedlings.com
Donnie Fleming is a Technical Manager with IFCO Seedlings. Donnie’s passion is to share his unique forestry experiences with others to assist in developing their forestry-based goals and vision.
Donnie has guided hundreds of foresters and landowners in matching the correct species to the proper soil type, seedling stock type, and genetic selection. His previous work experience includes positions with ArborGen, Inc. as the Gulf Coast Reforestation Advisor, St. Joe Timberland Co. as the Director of Wood Flow, a scientist in International Paper’s Research Department as the Clonal Forestry and Rooted Cutting Project Leader, and a District Land Manager with Champion International Co.
He is an active member of the Alabama and Florida Forestry Associations and is a board member of the Florida Forestry Association. His other passions include spending as much time as possible with his wife, Kathy, their children and three wonderful grandchildren. He enjoys fishing and chasing the elusive wild turkey.
Donnie’s experiences in research, land management, fiber supply, and knowledge of species selection inform his thought process when he is serving clients. Whether your goals are to grow trees for aesthetics, wildlife, or maximizing financial return Donnie’s experiences will greatly benefit in helping achieve your objectives.