A lifelong resident of Screven County has been promoted to the Georgia Forestry Commission’s (GFC) local leadership team. Benji Anderson has been named Chief Ranger for GFC’s Jenkins/Screven Unit, which is based in Sylvania.
Anderson is a 26-year veteran of the state forestry agency. His family’s passion for agriculture dates back to 1893, when their farm was established in Screven County. Anderson grew up there and joined GFC as a Ranger in 1999.
“Benji brings a great amount of knowledge and experience to this role,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo. “His expertise with fire and the landscape, along with his deep roots in the area, are assets that will serve the community well.”
Anderson said his new position is a “good fit,” allowing him to build on a GFC career that has taken him throughout Georgia and to several western states for wildfire duty. He has also served on a number of important special projects, which he said left deep impressions on him.
“I was able to help with the big oil spill off the Gulf Coast in 2010,” Anderson said. “I patrolled beaches and worked with a biologist to rescue and clean the birds. I also served on the space shuttle recovery in 2002, and helped on a lot of wildfires in Texas and California.”
Anderson has performed every duty in fighting wildfires, from driving bulldozers to tactical supervision. The state’s historic wildfires in Waycross in 2007 and 2011 magnified his capabilities. He credited his GFC colleagues for making his job fulfilling.
While keeping folks safe from wildfires and family farming have been Anderson’s main focuses, he also has an auctioneer license and can occasionally be found calling the sales of antiques, and farm and construction equipment. He enjoys spending time with his wife of 12 years, Ashley, and their seven-year-old daughter, Adler.