Military veteran and forestry professional will lead workforce initiative connecting veterans to careers in the forest products industry
PAUL SMITHS, N.Y. – Paul Smith’s College today announced the arrival of Rick Rowe as the new Troops to Timber Coordinator, where he will lead the College’s workforce initiative connecting veterans to careers in forestry throughout the northeastern United States.
In the role, Rowe will oversee the continued development of the Troops to Timber Workforce Initiative, leading recruitment efforts at Fort Drum and other military installations while expanding the program’s Micro-Credential and Forestry Certificate offerings. He will also teach forestry coursework alongside program faculty and work directly with industry partners to connect participants with careers in logging, forest management, and the forest products sector.
Supported through funding from the Northern Border Regional Commission, Troops to Timber is a strategic component of the College’s rapidly expanding Battlefish Academy, a training program designed to provide veterans with real-world skills in the outdoor, natural-resource, and forest-based economies. As a part of this, Troops to Timber will specifically prepare participants for careers in forestry through hands-on training, industry-recognized credentials, and direct job placement support.
A native of Ticonderoga, Rowe returns to the North Country after more than two decades of military service and veteran advocacy. He served six years in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman attached to the U.S. Marine Corps before joining the U.S. Army, where he spent nine years as a Combat Medic and seven years as a Cavalry Scout. During his Army career, Rowe deployed to Iraq as a Cavalry Scout Platoon Sergeant and received the Meritorious Service Medal, among other military honors, before medically retiring in 2012.
Following his military career, Rowe served as the County Veteran Service Officer and Director of Veterans Affairs for Manistee County, Michigan, helping veterans access benefits and successfully transition to civilian life.
Rowe earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from American Military University and completed forestry studies at Oregon State University’s College of Forestry, specializing in forest science. He also owned and operated a micro-logging business, gained experience with the Timber Sales Department of Michigan’s Manistee National Forest, and most recently spent six months with the Bureau of Land Management’s Silviculture Department in Salem, Oregon.
“Rick brings an exceptional combination of military leadership, forestry experience, and a deep commitment to serving veterans,” said Brett McLeod, Dean of Faculty at Paul Smith’s College. “He understands both the opportunities within the forest products industry and the challenges many service members face as they transition to civilian careers. That perspective makes him the right person to build this program and help participants find meaningful work in a field that strengthens our region’s economy.”
Rowe’s appointment comes as Paul Smith’s College continues to expand workforce development initiatives that address critical employment needs while creating new opportunities for veterans and other learners seeking careers in natural resources.
Media Contact:
Ben Brosseau, Director of Communications, Paul Smith’s College
bbrosseau2@paulsmiths.edu, 518-327-6031
About Paul Smith’s College:
At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith’s provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.
