James Houser, Consulting Forester/President
James S. Houser grew up in Waco, Texas, graduated from Richfield High School and served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army and Texas National Guard. Mr. Houser and his wife, Vicki, met at SFA and married in August of 1976. They have three children - Scott, Kathryn and David. James has been a practicing forester in the East Texas area since graduating from the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Forestry in 1977. His degree emphasis was forest management. James gained most of his field experience working for Applequist & Crater, planting trees and deadening hardwoods prior to graduation. After graduation, he was employed by Mr. Tom Crater as a forester for three and one-half years, leaving to start his own consulting firm in 1981. He and his wife are founders and co-owners of the company - James Houser, Consulting Foresters, L.L.C. - which they started in 1981.
Mr. Houser is a member and past President (2003) of the Texas Forestry Association, currently serving as a member of the Executive Board and Chairman of the Legislative Committee. He also serves as a member of the board of directors of the Forestry Political Action Committee (FORPAC). He is a member of the Consulting Foresters of America (ACF), serving as Chairman of the ACF Legislative Committee and is Chapter Chair of the Texas Chapter of ACF. Mr. Houser is member of and a Certified Forester of the Society of American Foresters, a member of Forest Resources Association, Inc., as well as member of and Certified Tree Farm Inspector with the American Tree Farm System. James & Vicki are members of New Life Worship Center. Mr. Houser currently serves as President of the Board of Trustees of the Jacksonville Independent School District and is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Cherokee County Central Appraisal District.
James can be reached by email at jhouser@jameshouser.org or by phone at 903-721-1713.
Becky Alt, Office Manager
Becky Alt has been the full-time secretary and office manager for the firm since 1995. Becky is a native of Iowa and has four grown children – Kipp, Janika, Callie and Cassie. She is a member of New Life Worship Center, where she is currently serving on the women’s board. As is the case with any office manager, Becky knows all the ins and outs of the company. In our office if you can’t find it or fix it, just ask Becky and she can probably handle it.
Becky can be reached by email at becky@jameshouser.org or by phone at (903) 586-9375.
Jimmy McNamara, Senior Forest Technician
Jimmy McNamara is a senior forest technician with the company, with experience in all aspects of forest management operations. Jimmy was recruited by Mr. Houser to join the company in 1989. Jimmy says he is currently attending the “JHCF School of Forestry.” Jimmy has worked in the marking, cruising and damage appraisal divisions of the company for 13 years and is currently the supervisor of the “cut n’ haul division.” One of the most important things that Jimmy has learned during his employment with the company is to be a good steward of the land. Jimmy has been married to his lovely wife, Rose Ann, for 29 years and they have been blessed with 5 sons. He and his family are members of New Life Worship Center.
Jimmy can be reached by email at jimmy@jameshouser.org or by cell phone at (903) 721-1635.
Mick Schmitt, Senior Forester
Mick Schmitt is a senior forester with the company. A 1989 Stephen F. Austin graduate, Mick earned a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry, with an emphasis on fire management. Mick has been with the firm since 1989. He is a member of the Texas Forestry Association, a member of Consulting Foresters of America, a certified Tree Farm Inspector with the American Tree Farm System, and is a member and Certified Forester with the Society of American Foresters. Mick and his wife, Jan, have three children.
Mick and his family are members of the First United Methodist Church, where he is active in the choir and men’s quartet. Mick’s hobbies include fishing, hunting and playing golf. Mick enjoys his work, as he loves the outdoors. He is very conscientious about his job and believes in giving 100 % at all times. Mick manages and is our contact for the Carbon Credit Program with the Iowa Farm Bureau.
Mick can be reached by email at mick@jameshouser.org or by cell phone at (903) 284-0017.
Sean Johnson, Forest Technician
Sean Johnson is a forest technician with the company, with experience in many aspects of forest management operations. Sean has been with the firm since 1999. Sean and his wife, Susan, have one child.
Sean is a native of Jacksonville, Texas, having lived and worked here his whole life. Before joining JHCF, Sean worked in restaurant management for seven years. The opportunity to work in the woods is what first drew Sean to forestry, but he also enjoys other aspects of the job such as meeting new people in the forest industry, analyzing aerial photos and drawing maps using GPS and GIS technology. In his free time, Sean enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and doing outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and canoeing.
Sean can be reached by email at sean@jameshouser.org by cell phone at (903) 721-1634.
Mike Young, Forest Technician
Mike Young is a forest technician with the company, with experience in many aspects of forest management operations. Mr. Young has been with the firm since 1999. Mr. Young and his wife, Annette, have two children. Mike enjoys working outdoors and especially likes helping landowners with the timber management aspects of the industry. These include improvement thinning - which help him to create a healthy forest; helping to oversee site preparation and planting operations. Mike also enjoys working with his fellow employees and learning from their diverse skills, and talents and he enjoys their sense of humor. In his spare time, Mike likes to spend time with family and play his guitar. Mike plays guitar with the worship band at Fellowship Bible Church in Jacksonville, Texas.
Mike can be reached by email at mike@jameshouser.org by cell phone at (903) 721-2110.
