Our Team

Right from the start, our goal has been to make a positive impact on the environment and communities where we operate. This goal requires us to build a new model that is sustainable – socially, environmentally, and economically. That’s why we are committed to taking a bold approach to continuous learning.

Operational Leadership Team

Tobey Russ
DIRECTOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE (FOUNDER)

Location: United States | Experience in Forestry since 2007

Tobey has 31 years’ experience in investment banking & financial services, having served in senior leadership roles with Quanta Capital Holdings (Chairman & CEO), Chubb Financial Solutions (President & CEO), AIG (President of Risk Finance), and 10 years with FFC.

Jonathan Dodd
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (FOUNDER)

Location: United Kingdom | Experience in Forestry since 2007

With FFC since 2010, Jonathan previously served as the CFO of several multi-national and publicly traded organizations, has 20 years of experience in capital raises and public offerings, and oversees all of FFC’s capital, liquidity and financial management.

Walda Decreus

GENERAL COUNSEL (FOUNDER)

Location: Belgium | Experience in Forestry since 2007

Walda is a corporate governance and legal structure expert, having previously served in senior roles with Quanta Capital Holdings and Baker & McKenzie. Walda has been with FFC for 10 years and ensures organizational compliance and protection of FFC’s legal rights.

Tatiana Pachon
CHIEF COUNTRY OFFICER

Location: Colombia | Experience in Forestry since 2006

Tatiana has 15 years’ experience in the forestry and renewable energy sectors, including senior roles with Shell, Carbon Positive Ltd., Azurian Ltd. and Deloitte, and leads FFC’s strategic relations with government and institutional stakeholders, as well as land acquisition.

Derek Howe

CHIEF FOREST ENGINEER

Location: South Africa | Experience in Forestry since 1980

Derek has over 40 years of forest processing and logistics experience including harvest and transport and was the founder of the South African Forestry Training College. Derek has developed several harvest innovations and leads FFC’s harvest and logistics functions.

Carolina Botero
VICE PRESIDENT STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Location: Colombia | Experience in Forestry since 2006

In her 20 year career, Carolina has served in several progressively more senior financial planning, treasury, operations and administrative roles, as well as being a corporate change expert. Carolina leads key regulatory and strategic initiatives for FFC.

Eric Cantor
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Location: Colombia | Experience in Forestry since 2001

Eric is an experienced forester with over 22 years in the industry. Eric began his career in Venezuela with Masisa, where he rose to the position of Forestry Operations Manager for a planted area of 147,000 ha, with annual planting at 7,500 ha. Eric then moved to Mexico to be the Forestry Director for Uumbal, which was focused on resin production.

Eric was awarded a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry Engineering from University de Los Andes, as well as a Master’s of Business Administration degree from Universidad Catholica Andres Bello. And a Advanced Management Program (PAG) at IESA (Instituto de Estudios Superiores en Administración). Eric also has extensive interaction within forestry and agriculture organization circles, including Camcore and FSCÒ, with whom we also have a relationship.

Stewart McNair
CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

Location: Canada | Experience in Forestry since 2010

Stewart has over 30 years of experience in human resources and organizational performance in both private and public companies. A true generalist, Stewart previously specialized in talent acquisition, employment and organizational development, and compensation. Stewart’s roles have seen him responsible for workforce practices in 70 countries over five continents, ranging from mature organizations to start-ups.

Stewart’s experience at executive levels in international corporations saw his roles expand to general management, strategy development, and corporate governance.