The Team
Blake Thomas
Owner
Blake Thomas is the owner of Black River Timber and Wildlife, LLC. He was born and raised in central Mississippi and graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Forest Management. He worked as an Assistant District Forester for the Mississippi Forestry Commission where he actively managed over 100,000 acres of pine and hardwood forests. His tenure with the state of Mississippi taught him to take a well-developed timber harvesting plan and put it into action. This resulted in maximum financial gains while insuring sustainability of the resource. Blake also has an extensive background in remote sensing and GIS systems which allow him to create detailed maps and databases of his client’s timber to use as a tool in the harvesting process. He works very closely with local mills to ensure his clients the best return possible on their timber assets. In addition, Blake is an avid outdoorsman with a strong passion for hunting and wildlife. This passion insures his client’s properties are being managed to their highest and best use for both wildlife and timber assets. He is a current resident of Flora, Mississippi where he and wife Mary raise their three children, Abbey, Miley, and Brett. Blake is an active member of Christ United Methodist Church as well as an active member of the Flora community.
Mark Lee
Procurement Manager
Mark Lee is a Procurement Manager at Black River. He was born and raised in Clinton, Mississippi. He attended Mississippi State University. Mark has an exceptional ability to connect with his clients and walk them through the timber selling process. His love for the outdoors is reflected in the way that he manages his client’s properties. Mark currently resides in Flora with his wife Maghen, and their two children, Swayze and Sawyer. He is a member of FBC Flora as well as an active member of the local community.
Steve Shaw
Procurement Forester
Steve is a lifelong resident of Mississippi, and has always had a passion for the outdoors. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry and has been a Mississippi Registered Forester (#1335) since 1989. Steve has over 30 years experience in pine & hardwood timber management, sales, appraisals, & consulting in both public and private sector. Steve is committed to his clients and works with each one with honesty and integrity. Steve lives in Pinola, MS and has been married for 30 years to his wife Brandye. They have 4 children and he is a devoted family man. They attend Word of Life church in Flowood, MS where they have been members for over 20 years. In his free time, Steve enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors.
Jenna Triplett
Office Administrator
Jenna Triplett is the Office Administrator at Black River.
She is a former resident of Robertsdale, Alabama. She has been living in Mississippi for the past twelve years and currently resides in Flora. Jenna’s ability to stay on task and attention to detail is a valuable asset on a daily basis at Black River. She attends First Baptist Church Flora and is mother to Barron, her son.