For Zack Gorse, success in forestry starts with relationships.
As a Procurement Forester III for the Collins, Georgia Chip Mill, Zack is based out of RYAM’s Offerman office. He works closely with suppliers, visits logging operations, monitors deliveries, and helps ensure RYAM has the sustainable fiber needed to support operations at the Jesup Mill.
“At the end of the day, it’s really about working with people,” Zack says. “The part I enjoy most is interacting with customers.”
Zack joined RYAM in February 2026 after spending 11 years with DS Smith Riceboro Timber. His connection to forestry began early, inspired by his father’s career as a forester with Rayonier.
“I saw how much he enjoyed being outside and interacting with customers, and that made me want to follow a similar path,” Zack says.
After starting his career in land management, where he helped oversee approximately 18,000 acres of timberland, Zack transitioned into wood procurement in 2017. When the Riceboro Mill closed in 2025, the opportunity to join RYAM came at the right time.
Today, Zack balances supplier relationships, market conditions, sustainability standards, and mill production needs. One of the biggest challenges is managing through unpredictable weather.
“Inclement weather always creates challenges,” he says. “You can’t prevent bad weather, but you have to have a plan in place if it affects wood supply.”
For Zack, communication and integrity are essential to building trust and maintaining successful partnerships.
“Communication is the single most important skill in wood procurement,” he says. “You also have to have exceptional ethics and morals.”
As part of RYAM’s wood procurement team, Zack helps ensure a reliable, sustainable fiber supply while supporting responsible forestry practices. Regular visits to logging operations help verify compliance with Georgia’s Best Management Practices, reinforcing RYAM’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
Outside of work, Zack enjoys hunting, fishing, and golfing—though he admits golf keeps him humble.
“I’ve been playing for 30 years and still can’t break 80,” he says with a laugh.
When asked what motivates him most, Zack doesn’t hesitate.
“My wife and my two daughters,” he says. “They’re my motivation every day.”
His advice for anyone entering the forestry industry is simple:
“Always be open to change.”
It’s a philosophy that has guided Zack throughout his career and continues to serve him well in an industry that is constantly evolving.
