Meet New LEAP Coordniator, Tim Emperor

We’re pleased to announce that Tim Emperor has joined Vermont Woodlands Association as the new Vermont LEAP Coordinator. Tim brings more than 45 years of experience in forestry, timber harvesting, manufacturing, and industrial safety. He began his career working directly in timber harvesting operations and has spent decades advancing safety practices across the timber industry.

Tim is the founder of Northeast Timber Safety, where he built and led a team providing safety training and consultation for timber harvesters and manufacturers across the country and internationally. His background in emergency response, industrial safety, and workforce training brings a practical, safety-first approach to LEAP’s work. His deep, hands-on experience will help ensure VT-LEAP continues to serve as a trusted resource for Vermont loggers and timber harvesters.

As of January 2026, the Vermont Logger Education to Advance Professionalism (LEAP) program is now administered by Vermont Woodlands Association. Thank you for your support and patience during this transition. The VWA Board is pleased to steward the program as part of our commitment to responsible forest management and the long-term strength of Vermont’s working forests.

We extend our sincere thanks to David Birdsall for his many years of leadership, dedication, and service to the LEAP program. David’s work building and guiding LEAP has made a lasting impact on Vermont’s logging and timber harvesting community. We are grateful for his steadfast commitment and wish him all the best in retirement, though we suspect he may still pop in at a training from time to time.

We also thank Masha Mokeyeva for her service as LEAP Coordinator and for supporting the program during the transition.

Please join us in welcoming Tim to the LEAP community.

Tim will be in touch soon with the spring workshop schedule and program updates. In the meantime, he can be reached at vtleap@vermontwoodlands.org or 802-214-4148.