Robert Chambers

Senior Advisor

Forester – Timberland Investment Pioneer – Serial Entrepreneur

Bob is recognized as a pioneer of the timberland investment management business. He currently supports Summit’s forest management activities but has a long track record of success in sourcing timberland investment opportunities, overseeing forest analytics, and conducting financial modeling. Bob founded Wachovia Bank’s timberland investment management group in 1984 (Formerly First Atlanta National Bank) and subsequently founded his own, independent timberland advisory firm, Timbervest, which he sold in 2003.

Bob is widely regarded as one of the most experienced and seasoned timberland investors in the world. During his career, he has executed hundreds of transactions valued at several billion dollars. He has been active in 17 U.S. states and six forest regions, with a particular emphasis on the U.S. South. He also has analyzed and advised on timberland acquisition opportunities in Costa Rica, New Zealand, Ireland, and Russia and has successfully developed and executed separate account and commingled fund strategies for dozens of sophisticated institutional and high-net-worth investors. In addition to investing through a series of economic and forest cycles, Bob also is highly knowledgeable about timberland financing structures, forest and sawmill operations, fiber supply issues, and a vast array of related subjects.

Earlier in his career, Bob worked in forest operations and timber procurement with Boise Cascade and an independent sawmilling company. He holds a BS in forestry from the University of Arkansas at Monticello (Formerly Arkansas A&M).