U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities welcomes two new board members
December 8, 2025
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (the Endowment) announced the appointment of Brian Boland and Chuck Garrett to its Board of Directors, further strengthening the board’s collective expertise and leadership.
The Endowment’s thirteen-member Board is composed of hand-selected leaders from across the United States and Canada, representing diverse sectors and perspectives to strengthen and sustain healthy forest product markets while supporting working forests and the communities that rely on them.
Brian Boland, deputy president and senior vice president of sales and marketing for Billerud Americas, brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the forest products and packaging industry. A member of Billerud’s US and global management teams, he is recognized for driving transformation, operational excellence and strategic growth across North America. Raised in northern Minnesota, Boland has a lifelong commitment to advancing small communities and promoting responsible forest stewardship.
Chuck Garrett, chief executive officer of Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB), leads the tribally owned holding company of Cherokee Nation, overseeing three business units and more than 10,000 employees worldwide. Since becoming CEO in 2019, he has driven significant growth by expanding CNB’s portfolio through strategic acquisitions, new business development and operational excellence. Garrett brings deep experience in investment banking, law and commercial real estate, and has been recognized nationally for his leadership, including honors such as NAFOA (Native American Finance Officers Association) Executive of the Year and the Cherokee Nation Statesman Award.
“We are honored to welcome Brian and Chuck to the Endowment’s Board of Directors,” said Pete Madden, President and CEO of the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities. “Their leadership and expertise will be instrumental as we continue advancing the U.S. Endowment’s mission to strengthen and sustain healthy forest product markets and support working forests and the communities that rely on them.”
In addition to welcoming its newest members, the Endowment recently showed appreciation for outgoing board members for their years of dedicated service and leadership. Soile Kilpi, of New York, serves as Director of AFRY Management Consulting and has more than 25 years of experience advising clients and boards on sustainable and environmentally responsible business practices. Adrian Blocker, of Savannah, GA, is a seasoned forest industry executive with extensive experience in forest management, wood products manufacturing, fiber procurement and ecological business development. Both have made lasting contributions during their tenures on the board, helping shape the Endowment’s vision and impact.
About the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities is a not-for-profit public charity collaborating with partners in the public and private sectors to advance systemic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities. To learn more about the Endowment, please visit our website at www.usendowment.org.
