After interviewing nearly a dozen candidates, the Louisiana Forestry Commission has selected a new state forester, Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., announced.

Wade Dubea, a New Roads native and current resident of St. Francisville, was chosen to replace former State Forester Paul Frey who retired last year.

“I am pleased with the Commission’s selection and look forward to working with Wade to advance the state’s forest industries,” Strain said.

Humbled and honored after being chosen, Dubea said he looks forward to facing the challenges ahead of him.

“I recognize the issues facing Louisiana’s State Forester, but the opportunity to influence all aspects of forestry in the state, as well as represent Louisiana nationally, is indeed a privilege,” Dubea said. “I welcome the opportunity to continue the legacy established by preceding generations while celebrating the rich history of our past.”

Dubea has been an employee of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry since 2001 and worked his way up through the ranks of the forestry office. His most recent position was branch chief for information and education. Dubea has also served as a forest inventory analyst and forest education program director/Project Learning Tree Coordinator.

“Wade’s successful efforts to educate the public about trees and their role in our environment and economic impact have prepared him to excel in his new job as State Forester,” Strain said. “This is an industry with a $4.9 billion economic value in Louisiana and you can rest assured Wade is highly capable of leading the district foresters, enforcement officers, urban foresters, fire crews and others who serve the industry.”

Dubea is a graduate of Catholic High of Pointe Coupee and Louisiana State University. He obtained an alternative teaching certificate from LSU in 2003. Dubea previously worked for forest products company Temple-Inland as a geographic information systems forester in southeast Texas and taught high school biology and environmental science at the Dunham School in Baton Rouge.

Dubea and his wife, Marjorie, have two daughters, Sarah and Rachel.