Rick has been a practicing forester since 1978 and has had over 25 years of upper level management experience. In 1992 Rick ventured out into business for himself. With Rick's management, the business has grown and evolved from a one-person operation into Barnes & Associates as it is today. He continually looks for opportunities to improve and diversify the services offered by Barnes & Associates.

Rick works hard to hire high quality staff who have the attitude that quality is essential and hard work is a given. He strives to maintain a staff with the wide range of skills and expertise needed to manage complex and diverse natural resource projects.

Rick serves as manager for many of the projects undertaken by Barnes & Associates. He works to secure the resources needed for each project and monitors staff performance to assure the needs of the client are being met.

Rick has recently participated on multi-disciplinary forest certification teams to certify that forestlands are being managed according to the standards and guidelines of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. He is also trained to certify family-owned tree farms under the standards of the American Tree Farm System.

In his spare time, Rick enjoys working and managing the family tree farm in Douglas County. He has utilized his many skills to purchase and improve the forest health and productivity of the property.

• Association of Consulting Foresters of America, current member and past Chapter Chair
• Society of American Foresters, current member and past Council Representative, State Chair, and Chapter Chair
• Douglas Forest Protective Agency, Board member and current President
• Oregon Tree Farm System
• Selection Committee, Oregon Tree Farm System, Tree Farmer of the Year
• Douglas County Woodland Advisory Committee, member
• Oregon Small Woodlands Association, member