111: Fear Is a Choice

Alex Singleton is a Fiber Specialist at International Papers in Georgia. He is responsible for the overall management of wood purchases and deliveries into the mill and wet storage yard. Prior to this, Alex was a Procurement Forester for Weyerhaeuser and a Harvest Manager for Mead Westvaco Paper. On today’s episode, Alex discusses how he got introduced to forestry and how he helped create a meaningful forestry program to introduce young African American children into the field of Natural Resources.

 

Key Takeaways:

[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.

[1:35] A quick intro to Alex’s background.

[3:25] How did Alex get into forestry and natural resources?

[8:50] Alex had forestry all around him and he didn’t even know it!

[11:55] What was it like going to college for forestry?

[18:20] Alex never felt out of place while he was attending university.

[19:55] What was Alex’s first job outside of school like?

[27:20] Alex became a district forester when he was in his young 20s and he held that position for 10 years.

[33:25] Never stop networking! It will set you up for success no matter what field you’re in.

[37:50] What does Alex do for his current role at International Paper?

[42:25] Alex is so proud that he is able to share what he knows with other African Americans.

[47:05] In the beginning, it was a struggle trying to recruit young kids into the industry.

[53:05] Alex has had a parent come up to thank him for saving their child’s life!

[59:40] You can become paralyzed by the big choices that are facing you, but you gotta square up to things and just move forward.

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Internationalpaper.com

Alex on LinkedIn

After Earth, starring Will Smith

“Invictus,” by William Ernest Henley