Employee Spotlight – Shaun Rogers
In this Mississippi Forestry Commission employee spotlight, we learn about Shaun Rogers, who was recently commended for his exemplary service.
Shaun Rogers, Mississippi Forestry Commission Area Forester (Service Area 12), was commended for his exemplary service by a private forest landowner in Union County. A letter detailing his willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty assisting this private landowner was sent to Shaun’s supervisor. In this Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) employee spotlight, we will learn more about Shaun’s forestry background, family, and hobbies.
Where did you receive your forestry education?
I earned my Associate’s Degree in Forestry at Itawamba Community College, then went on to received my Bachelor’s Degree in Forest Management from Mississippi State University.
How long have you been with the MFC?
14 years. I obtained a position with the Mississippi Forestry Commission in 2004.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy the fire side of the job. Wildland firefighting as well as prescribed burning. This summer, I spent three weeks on a federal detail in Oklahoma on a bulldozer strike team assisting them with wildfires. It was truly rewarding when you would be out somewhere and people would just come up to you and thank you for being there to help Oklahoma.
What motivates you?
The reason I took the job with the MFC was so I could use my education to help private forest landowners by giving them an unbiased opinion about what their property needs. I worked in the private sector for ten years cruising timber, buying timber, selling timber, etc. It was always about maximizing profits for my employer, and I can understand that, but I never really enjoyed those aspects of forest management.
What are your hobbies?
I have the usual country boy hobbies of hunting and fishing, but I also am an avid arrowhead collector.
Tell us a little bit about your family…
My wife of 22 years, Dawn, is the principal at Tremont High School. My daughter, Kailee, is a junior at Tremont where she plays basketball and was the top female shooter on the State Championship Archery Team. My son, Konnor, is 13 years old and eats, sleeps, and dreams about Bass fishing!
Anything else you’d like to share?
I am a devout Christian, Husband, and Father. I am a member of Smithville Baptist Church, where I serve as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. I could not do my job, nor would it be as enjoyable without the great support staff at the Region 1 office, and especially my team in Area 12, they deserve all the credit.
We are proud of Shaun’s commitment to serving Mississippi’s forest landowners and protecting lives, property, and forestland from wildfire.
