Forest Investment Associates Announces Leadership Transition and Executive Team Expansion

ATLANTA, December 13, 2023 (VSNewsNetwork.com) - Forest Investment Associates (FIA), a global investment adviser specializing in sustainable forest investments, has announced significant changes to its executive team. Mike Cerchiaro is set to become the new President and CEO and chair the firm’s Executive Committee, effective January 1, 2024. Concurrently, Andrew Boutwell will assume the role of Senior Managing Director, leading FIA’s newly consolidated Investment Management Team.

FIA Leadership ● (L-R) Andrew Boutwell, MaryKate Bullen, Mike Cerchiaro and Marc Walley ● Photo Credit: Forest Investment Associates

Marc Walley, the current President and CEO, who will transition to a part-time role while continuing as Chairman of the Investment Committee and a Board member, commented on the leadership changes. “This is a natural evolution in the growth and development of our company,” said Walley. “Mike and Andrew are recognized leaders at FIA and known throughout our industry with a reputation for excellence, innovation, and as trusted leaders in forest investment.”

Cerchiaro and Boutwell have been with FIA since 2004. Cerchiaro, who currently heads the Investment Management Team, has been instrumental in managing a diverse forestland portfolio across the Americas. Boutwell, leading the Real Estate Transactions Team, is responsible for strategic planning, valuation, due diligence, and transaction execution. Both play key roles on the FIA Board and the Executive and Investment Committees.

Cerchiaro expressed his vision for FIA's future. “I am excited to work with Andrew and the rest of the Executive Committee to leverage our strengths and excel in our work for FIA and our clients,” he said. “Our focus on delivering sustainable forest investment solutions to the global institutional market will continue as we capitalize on one of the most exciting investment environments in our sector.”

Boutwell shared his enthusiasm for the new structure of the Investment Management Team. “The newly structured team is designed to unify FIA’s almost four decades of transaction history, investment experience, and sophisticated forest management systems,” Boutwell remarked. “I’m energized to be working with the great team we have at FIA, and I strongly believe FIA’s success will continue to be rooted in client service and meeting investor objectives.”

Additionally, V. Scott Bond, Vice President of Client Relations and Business Development, announced his transition to a part-time role in 2024. MaryKate Bullen will succeed Bond as Managing Director, Business Development and Sustainability, also effective January 1. Bullen, who previously led FIA’s sustainability and ESG programs, brings 16 years of forestry investment experience in sustainability, business development, and investor services.

Reflecting on FIA's future, Cerchiaro added, “I believe the FIA business and team are purpose-built to deliver high-quality services for investors in global forestry. Our track record, trusted reputation, and client-first investment approach will be amplified through our reconstituted leadership and dedicated investment professionals.”

For more information about Forest Investment Associates and their services, visit www.forestinvest.com.

Source: Forest Investment Associates via Newswire