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Bio:

Dr. Tanger is the Associate Director of Center for Forest Business and is an Associate Professor of Forest Policy and Trade in the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He began at UAM in early 2023 and previously worked as an Associate Professor of Forest Economics at both Louisiana State University and Mississippi State University.

Dr. Tanger’s research, teaching, and outreach programs fall under three main themes. 

Theme 1: Forest-Based Business Clusters and Market Development

The first theme, forest-based business clusters and market development, would examine how forest resources can support new and expanded rural business opportunities. This includes markets for small diameter roundwood, mill residues, biomass, renewable energy, mass timber, wood products manufacturing, recreation, carbon, and ecosystem services. Many forest management problems are also market problems. Small-diameter material, low-value fiber, and mill residues may represent forest health concerns if no market exists for them, but they may become economic opportunities when linked to local entrepreneurs, manufacturers, energy users, or other community partners. 

Theme 2: Critical Infrastructure, Logistics, and Community Coalitions

The second theme, critical infrastructure, logistics, and community coalitions,  focuses on the physical systems that allow rural economies and businesses to function. Roads, bridges, trucking networks, and supply-chain logistics affect delivered wood costs, mill competitiveness, landowner returns, emergency service access, school transportation, mail delivery, agricultural movement, and mineral resource transport. The Forest industry can therefore be an important partner, and at times a leader, in broader coalitions for rural infrastructure improvement (as those improvements benefit school and emergency services and other rural businesses). 

Theme 3: Workforce Pathways, Professional Capacity, and Outreach

The third theme, workforce pathways, professional capacity, and outreach, would address the human dimensions of forest business development. A modern forest economy requires loggers, truckers, mill workers, foresters, technicians, appraisers, entrepreneurs, managers, and professionals who can operate in increasingly complex market, technological, and policy environments.  His work in this area focuses on online training, business management education, AI-assisted workforce development, manufacturing workforce needs, student recruitment, continuing education, and stackable credentials. A key concept is that workforce development should be accessible, affordable, and additive with each training element providing immediate value while also serving as a building block toward certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, or professional advancement.