2023 Conventional Logger of the Year, Gene Daigle, has been a Certified Logging Professional since 1995. Although Gene admits he didn’t fully appreciate the learning opportunity when he took his first CLP training, looking back, he recognizes how significant the program is, saying, “When I first took this program, we learned about different ways of felling trees and cutting wood and safety, and it was great. I learned a lot—at the time, I was kind of resistant to change, as most people are. I like the CLP program; it really made a difference in the safety of my work. The biggest part of my line of work was learning the different styles of felling trees and ways that were safer.” He elaborated that he enjoys recertifying every two years because it keeps him up to date on new techniques and the industry’s economic condition.
Gene had been working in the woods long before becoming a CLP. His father would take him along starting when he was 10; at first, Gene was only allowed to watch, but by the time he was in high school, his dad had him running the tractor; later in high school, he worked at a saw shop on the weekends and still sometimes ventured into the woods with his dad.
Gene took a two-year break from logging after high school when he was drafted into the military, but as soon as his service was completed, he went straight back into the woods, working with his dad for a couple of years. Since then, he has only worked for two contractors, only changing contractors because his current contractor bought out the first contractor, whom he had worked for for over 20 years.
Gene has been the owner of G.A.D logging for over two decades now, and although he spends his workdays alone in the woods, he attributes his success to the years spent working with his dad. Saying, “When I started, it was a hard start; if it weren’t for my father, I probably wouldn’t have made it – he got me started and helped me along.“ However, he went on to explain that he’s glad he no longer has to be involved with the trucking or truck maintenance aspect of the business as he did when he worked for his father, saying, “When I worked with my dad, I had to do everything, the sawing, and the trucking, and I had to take care of the truck in the evening. When I got home, I had to take care of the truck, which was never-ending. When I got out on my own, I was done when I left the woods; I hardly ever had to work on the skidder.” He also reflected on how the industry has changed throughout his career, welcoming one change in particular. “When I first started out, we were always cutting 4 ft and 8 ft wood, and I hated that. In the early 80s, everything changed to focus on tree-length wood,” he said.
Having been in the woods for over 50 years, Gene admits that he’s slowed down over the years. His once long work days are kept to 6 or 7 hours now with an hour lunch break. ”Working alone 95% of the time, Gene enjoys the solitude his job offers.” I enjoy being out in the woods. I don’t know what it is about it; it’s hard to explain, but I love cutting the wood and being out in the woods. I just love doing it!“
In his nomination, Forester Mark, Brooks said, “I regard Gene as an outstanding logging professional. As a forester with W T Gardner & Sons, I have worked with Gene for a couple of decades now. His attention to the high quality of his work is comforting for the company. When Gene is cutting wood, we are confident that the best job possible will be done. (Gene has) always been mindful of safety and environmental concerns and harvesting compliance while working in the woods. He is honest and a hard worker and will put in the extra effort to make sure the job is done right, squared, and cleaned up upon completion of any given job. When you want a good job done, one that addresses a landowner’s concerns and objectives for silviculture, environmental concerns, safety at the workplace, honesty, and integrity, you go with Gene!”
When he’s not in the woods, Gene’s priorities shift to his family. He cherishes the time spent with his three grandchildren and his great-grandchild, often taking them to sporting events like baseball and basketball. Gene has been married to his wife, Nancy, for over 50 years.
