Hessmer timber man LFA's Logger of the Year

For almost 30 years, Eddie Jarreau has worked among giants -- the stately pine trees of Central Louisiana. This year, he was recognized by his peers as a giant in his own right.
Jarreau’s hard work and attention to detail and conservation efforts paid off this year when the Louisiana Forestry Association (LFA) and Louisiana Logging Council named him the 2014 Louisiana Logger of the Year.
Jarreau, 63, of Hessmer, was also notified by U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister that a plaque recognizing him for outstanding work and environmental standards in the industry will be displayed in Washington. Both awards were presented to him last Wednesday at the LFA convention in Shreveport.
“Logging is not only a way to make a living, but a way of life,” Jarreau said.
He said his company, Avoyelles Timber, contracts with several lumber companies -- mostly in the central parishes of the state. He was nominated by Scott Bertrand, logging service coordinator for Roy O. Martin Lumber Co.
“Eddie and his crews take great pride in Avoyelles Timber,” Bertrand said.
Jarreau said he worked in oilfield seismology for many years. When the oil industry had a down turn in the 1980s, he decided to start his own timber business. He started Avoyelles Timber in 1985. It has grown to include about 26 employees and 11 logging trucks.
“I’ve got the best crews around,” Jarreau said. “That’s what makes me the ‘Logger of the Year.’”
He said almost all of his employees live in Avoyelles Parish. Among his employees are his wife Margaret, who manages the office, and daughter Valerie, who does most of the secretarial work for the business. His son Jason has worked in the business for several years but is currently taking some college courses in business “and that cuts into the time he can spend with us.”
The judges that selected Jarreau included Dr. Mark Gibson and Dr. Clyde Vidrine of Louisiana Tech University School of Forestry, Holly Morgan with the U.S. Forest Service and Bob Wall, the 2013 Outstanding Logger.
Gibson said he was impressed with Jarreau’s operation when he visited a job site. “Mr. Jarreau emphasized safety, job quality and production in that order,” Gibson said. “Consequently, his operation was very clean with well-maintained equipment. His woods crew was all longtime employees -- which speaks well of how he treats them.” The judges were also impressed with his trucking system.
Jarreau said he was surprised to be selected as the state’s Logger of the Year.
“It’s a very big honor,” he said. “There are a lot of logging contractors -- some really good people -- so the competition was very stiff. “We do our best each and every day,” he said. “We were nominated, interviewed and they came out to check our job site. It really surprised me when I was told that they had selected me.”
Jarreau said logging “still has some element of danger to it, but not like it was in the old days.” Much of the work that used to be done by hand is now handled by machines. “Probably the most dangerous part of the job now would be that those trucks spend a lot of time on the highway,” he said.
Jarreau said there is more logging in Avoyelles than most people realize, and the effect on the economy is significant.
“In just my company, there is a lot of spin-off effect on the local economy,” he said. “Besides the jobs provided by the company, we buy a lot of parts for the trucks, fuel and supplies for the business.”
Jarreau said he is not concerned about the future of the timber business. Besides cutting pulp wood for paper companies like Boise Cascade, or pine and hardwood timber for lumber companies, a new market has opened in foreign countries that use “wood pills” to fuel their generating plants.
“In addition to that, other countries are developing and there is a greater demand for lumber to build homes and businesses in foreign markets,” he said. “The future of the timber industry looks very healthy.”
Jarreau said he wants the company to stay in the family after he retires -- which probably won’t be for a few years yet.
“I'm only 63, and I’m in good health, so it’s really too early for me to retire,” he said. “I also have good employees, and that takes a lot of the load off of me, and that helps a lot.
“Some days I want to do it forever, and some days I don’t,” he added with a laugh.
Jarreau has a 165-acre cattle farm and also owns and operates a mobile home park, so even when he does “retire” he has more than enough to keep himself busy.