After more than 47 years at Rayonier, Bob McDonald reflects on how he has seen the industry transform and the unique experiences that built his career.
Entering the forestry workforce at Rayonier almost a half-century ago, Bob McDonald remembers a time when paper maps and compasses were the best way to navigate jobs in the woods.
Celebrating his retirement after 47 years with the company, Bob shares how he came into the industry, the changes he saw and what’s ahead for him.
Bob, who grew up in St. Augustine, Fla., realized at a young age that he had a passion for the outdoors. He studied forestry in college, earning his associate’s degree before taking his first job with Rayonier in 1976.
“I’ve gotten a lot of satisfaction out of the positions I’ve held at Rayonier,” he says. “I always looked forward to work each day and am appreciative to all of the people I’ve worked with. I’m excited about retirement and am looking forward to new challenges.”
A Lifelong Career in Forestry
Bob was first hired as a Forest Technician, managing Rayonier’s growing forests. He later worked in Gainesville, Fla., where he procured timber for the sawmill Rayonier owned in Palatka. At the same time, he worked for Rayonier’s pole business, which transformed large logs into poles that could be used for utility poles like the ones used for power lines as well as pilings for docks and piers.
As the company transformed over time, both of those end product-focused businesses were discontinued. But Rayonier had a lot more in store for Bob. (Rayonier continues to grow trees for poles and lumber to this day.)
“In 1987, I was fortunate enough that they offered me a job in Georgia, working as a Forest Supervisor at our Richmond Hill forest for about 21 years.”
“A little bit of everything”
It was one of his favorite roles with the company:
“I liked the fact that I was doing a little bit of everything there,” he recalls. “I was responsible for a couple of guys. We did roadwork, landlines and inventory cruising. Then I was cruising timber sales and leasing out land to hunting clubs. I also did some site prep and planting. It was satisfying to be involved with planting trees, watching them grow to harvest, and then doing it all over again.”
In 2006 and 2007, a large restructuring took place at Rayonier, leading Bob into his next position as Land Manager working out of the Jesup, Ga., office, which he did for about a year. Bob then rounded out the final years of his career working in that same office as a Timber Marketing Forester. That role was focused on the sale of timber, as explained in our article, What does a Timber Marketing Manager Do?
In Timber Marketing, Bob found satisfaction in a different way:
“I was heavily involved in putting together timber sales and the mapping and marketing of those sales,” he says. “I had the pleasure of working and dealing with folks in and outside of Rayonier. I’ve been appreciative that most were more than willing to lend a hand when I needed help with something.”
Adapting to Technology Changes
When Bob first started with Rayonier, use of technology was limited. As the company grew, advancements in technology required foresters to quickly adopt them.
“We didn’t have cell phones or bag phones back then,” he says. “We didn’t even have copiers or fax machines in our office. We used radios to communicate, so when we were out in the woods, we used paper maps and a compass to navigate the forest. Now we have GPS technology, which was a huge improvement.”
Coworker teaches complex GIS mapping tools
As technology evolved, Bob recalls the challenges of learning and adapting to new devices and applications. During one job change, he had to quickly learn how to navigate GIS-based mapping software such as ArcMap. Thankfully, a coworker more experienced with the programs brought him up to speed.
Joy Kent, a Rayonier employee in Technical Services at the time, worked one-on-one with Bob to help him get comfortable with the technology.
“I really appreciate all the hours she put into helping me learn the new technologies,” he says. “Without her training, I wouldn’t have been able to get and keep my job. Being as skilled, kind and helpful as she was, that left such a big impression on me.”
Honoring a Kind and Professional Co-Worker
Joy, now a technical analyst on Rayonier’s Land Information Services Team, describes Bob as a “kind and professional” colleague.
She worked closely with him starting in 2008, when she took a regional coordinator position with Rayonier. Her new role involved technical training and support for Rayonier foresters on forestry software.
“At that time, I supported the resource unit Bob was in and regularly traveled to our Jesup office,” she says. “ I had the opportunity to work with him frequently. It has always been pleasant to interact with Bob over the years.”
And she recalls a special perk when it came to working with Bob: he often gave his coworkers satsumas from the citrus trees he grew at home.
Advice for Future Foresters
Bob’s passion for forestry has been evident across his many years at Rayonier. As he moves into retirement, Bob shares advice for young and new foresters hoping to pursue a lifelong career in forestry:
“If you’re going to stay in forestry for as long as I have, there will be a lot of changes along the way. You have to be able to adapt to those changes.”
He also recommends gaining exposure to as many aspects of the forestry business as possible.
“Rayonier is set up to do just that. With a lot of new and young people coming to the industry, Rayonier makes it a point to grow and foster well-rounded employees. The more well-rounded you are, the more valuable you’ll be to the company.”
Retiring From Rayonier, But Still Managing Trees
About three years ago, Bob and his wife sold their home in Richmond Hill and purchased a small farm in Southeast Georgia.
“What I’m looking forward to the most is owning and working on my own land,” he says.
But, has he had enough of working with trees? Not a chance!
“I’m going to plant pine and citrus trees, do a little bit of farming, and spend time by the fish pond,” he says. “My wife and I will also be looking for volunteer opportunities and we’ll do a little bit of traveling as well.”
As far as working for Rayonier, Bob says he has always been grateful for a job where he felt valued. He also appreciates Rayonier’s focus on safety.
“During my time at Rayonier, safety has always been top of mind, but lately there’s been an even stronger emphasis on it. The fact that they are putting their money and efforts into providing safe working conditions says a lot. That way, at the end of the day, everyone can go home to their families. I’m proud to have worked for such an upstanding company.”
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