Graduates of the College of Forestry are our most valuable resource. Our alumni serve as a critical bridge between the university and the world, connecting Oregon State University and its students to communities and employers. They inspire our students to make a difference and they shape the world we live in.
This year, we honor the outstanding accomplishments of three College of Forestry alumni.
Randy Hereford
1977, B.S., Forest Engineering and Forest Management
Randy joined Starker Forests in 1978 and became President and CEO in 2019. Randy’s primary responsibilities have been directing timber harvest planning, log marketing, road construction, and fire management. With his broad experience, he has served on a multitude of advisory boards on county, state and national levels. He is currently a board member of the Oregon Forest and Industries Council (OFIC), the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO), and Keep Oregon Green. Over the years, he has participated in a number of OSU College of Forestry advisory boards, and served on several Forest Protective Associations. Randy has been a member of the Society of American Foresters (SAF) since he was a college student at OSU, and is a SAF Certified Forester. Bringing his leadership and personal history in forestry to the table, Randy participated in and was a signer of the new Private Forest Accord which will impact forestry in Oregon for decades to come.
Valerie Hipkins
1989, M.S., Forestry and Genetics
1994, Ph.D, Forestry and Genetics
Valerie serves as the Associate Deputy Chief for Research and Development in the Washington Office of the US Forest Service. Prior to this position, she was the Assistant Regional Director in the North Atlantic-Appalachian Region of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. She has also held assignments in the Forest Service as Acting Station Director at the Pacific Southwest Research Station, the Acting National lead for Reforestation and Nurseries, and the Director of the National Forest Genetics Lab. Valerie received her B.S. in Forestry from Humboldt State University, and her MS and PhD in Forestry and Genetics from Oregon State University.
Kendall Conroy
2016, B.S. Renewable Resources
2018, M.S. Wood Science and Engineering
Kendall is the Marketing Director at Timber Products. Prior to her director role she was the Marketing Manager, and before getting into marketing she was a Technical Sales Representative at RedBuilt. Over the course of her short career, Kendall’s goal has always been to help people build more sustainably, encouraging the use of wood products over non-renewable resources. Kendall gained this mindset during her time at Oregon State University, where she earned a B.S. in Renewable Materials, a B.S. in Sustainability, and a M.S. in Wood Science & Engineering.
