Our Leadership Team
Andy Barrs
CEO
For over fifteen years, Andy has been instrumental to the growth of the company’s footprint across the expanded southeast through the acquisition and management of land, timber, minerals as well as strategic private equity investments in the areas of energy, real estate, healthcare and software. As CEO Andy’s focus is on the strategic growth of Barrs Industries.
Andy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Auburn University and a Master of Forest Business from the University of Georgia. He takes pride in serving as an active lecturer at both alma maters. As a fellow Rotarian and Executive Board Member of Georgia Forestry Association, Andy is committed to serving his local community and key industry organizations. Andy enjoys serving as a mentor and resource to aspiring business owners and future leaders.
Earl Barrs
Founder & President
Earl D. Barrs, a native of Cochran, Georgia is a 1974 graduate of the University of Georgia’s Daniel B. Warnell School of Forest and Natural Resources. With over 45 years of experience in wildlife, land conservation projects, timber management and land acquisitions, Earl has committed years of leadership in the forestry sector both public and private.
As president of Barrs Industries, the company focuses on managing and acquiring forest lands across the southeast and as far north as West Virginia.
He and his wife Wanda were named 2009 AFF National Tree Farmers of the Year along with Georgia’s 2010 Governor’s Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Award. Earl’s leadership includes Past President of the Georgia Forestry Association; member, Natural Resource Conservation Service State Technical Committee; Past President, UGA WSFNR Alumni Steering Committee; the University of Georgia Arch Foundation; the Georgia Board of Economic Development and Past Chair of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Board. In 2013, he was inducted into the GA Society of American Foresters Hall of Fame. The Georgia Forestry Association awarded Earl and Wanda the Wise Owl Award in 2015 for outstanding service and visionary leadership.
