Source: NCDA&CS, 3/5/20

Brad Allen has earned a reputation for going above and beyond, and that earned him recognition as the 2019 Employee of the Year in the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Chief Deputy Commissioner David Smith presented Allen with a plaque during a recent recognition ceremony in Raleigh.

Allen has been with the North Carolina Forest Service for more than 14 years and with the state more than 17 years. In 2018, he accepted his current role as assistant district forester in District 3 – the district that includes Richmond and surrounding counties up to Chatham County. In his role, Allen provides expertise as the forest management authority in the district’s eight counties.

Allen has taken on many duties that are not typical for his position. He’s the district geo-spatial coordinator and the National Fire Danger Rating System coordinator. He’s also worked quickly and diligently to become “burn boss” qualified to assist with the district’s increasing demands for controlled burns. Allen is also one of only a few employees in the entire region who is a certified “atmospheric dispersion modeler.”

As if these extras weren’t already enough, he also has served on two N.C. Forest Service committees.
In his nomination, Don Watson said “the results of Allen’s dedication are evident in the accomplishments of the district.”

With Allen’s leadership, District 3 is always among the top three districts in important forest management categories. In the most recent fiscal year, District 3 led the region and the state in 16 different forestry categories. It was just outside the top spot in several other categories as well. That’s all a result of Allen’s dedication to serve the landowners of North Carolina.

The Employee of the Year is chosen from the pool of employees honored as Employee of the Month during the year. Allen was honored as Employee of the Month in January 2019.