Why Does My Paint Gun Hate Me?!

Ethan Tapper

Forester, Bear Island Forestry and Author, Birder, Naturalist, and Digital Creator

For over a decade, Ethan has worked as a service forester and a consulting forester – advising landowners, municipalities, conservation organizations, foresters and loggers, stewarding thousands of acres of public and privately-owned forests, and holding hundreds of public educational events. Ethan has been recognized as a thought-leader and a disruptor in the conservation community of the northeastern United States and beyond: among other awards and distinctions, Ethan has been named the Northeast-Midwest State Foresters Alliance’s Forester of the Year and the American Tree Farm System’s National Tree Farm Inspector of the Year. Ethan now owns and operates his own business – Bear Island Forestry – which provides consulting forestry services to landowners; general consulting to government agencies, non-profits and corporations; public speaking and conservation education; and multimedia publication.

Ethan is a regular contributor to Northern Woodlands magazine and a variety of other publications, and is a digital creator with tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and TikTok (all under the handle @HowToLoveAForest). Learn more about Ethan and his work at EthanTapper.com, and learn more about Bear Island Forestry at BearIslandForestry.com In his personal life, Ethan writes, hunts and birds, manages “Bear Island” – his 175-acre forest and homestead – and plays in his 10-piece punk band, The Bubs.

John Freeman

President, Panama Forestry Equipment

John was raised in the business as a child and was drafted in the Army in the mid 60’s and spent 12 years in the Army. Had a overseas tour and returned to the business in the late 70s. He joined the Mississippi Army National Guard in the early 80s and spent 18 years with them. John was deployed to Iraq in Feb. 2003 as a combat engineer for one year. He made many out of country deployments along with hurricane engineer duties along Mississippi gulf coast. He’s been married to a wonderful girl for 47 years and has two daughters and two grandchildren. John lives in Brooklyn, Mississippi, which is a small community about 40 north of Gulfport. He loves working with people in the forestry industry. 

Ryan Holm

Corporate Sales, Business Development and Logistics Director, The Nelson Paint Company

Ryan Holm is the Sales, Business Development, and Logistics Director at the Nelson Paint Company, where he leverages his extensive experience to drive growth and streamline operations. With a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Lakeland University in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Ryan brings a unique perspective to his role, blending educational insight with strategic business acumen.

A passionate outdoorsman, Ryan enjoys hunting and fishing in his spare time, reflecting his deep connection to nature. He resides in Waucedah Township, Michigan, with his wife Becka and their beloved fur babies, Lambeau and Madison. Ryan is an active member of the Society of American Foresters and the Michigan Association of Timberman, underscoring his commitment to the forestry and timber industries.