Gerald Willis, Special Assistant to the Chief

Updated 03/04/2005

Gerald Willis was appointed Special Assistant to the Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, in January 2004. Mr. Willis provides counsel to senior-level agency and Department officials on Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) issues, with an emphasis on rural development and conservation.

Mr. Willis is a lifelong resident of Alabama. Dedicated to public service for over 30 years, Mr. Willis served as a State Representative in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1978 till 2002. He founded the Willis Lumber Company in 1965 and ran the business successfully until closing it in 1990 in order to focus on public service. Mr. Willis is also a farmer and owns and operates 6,200 acres around Piedmont, AL. The land consists of 5,200 acres of timber land and 1,000 acres of pasture land. The land supports between 300-400 head of cattle.

Mr. Willis is a strong advocate of the farmer and farmer concerns, locally and nationally. He is active in his community and serves on several committees and boards to help schools, businesses and farmers. He raised funds and sponsored legislation for several different programs in support of his community and state and has received numerous awards recognizing him as an outstanding elected official, appreciation for raising funds, and for outstanding service.