Ben Marshall - President
Ben got his start in the sport while attending the University of New Hampshire, where he joined the Woodsmen’s Team. In 2012, Ben joined the New York State Lumberjack Association, after meeting some team members from New York while at various college competitions. Ben served as the Association Vice President for two years and has served as President since 2018. When he isn’t competing, Ben is usually fishing, organizing more shows, cooking, or spending time with friends at the beach.
What is your favorite part of the sport?
”I would have to say the best part is the people you meet at various shows and the camaraderie between competitors.”
Brian Shuknecht - Vice President
Brian joined the woodsmen team at Alfred State in 2013 and has been a member of NYSLA since 2013, where has served as a board member and currently the Vice President since 2022. Brian owns a small construction and septic company, as well as owner of B/S Lumberjack Equipment, where he’s perfected the art of making axe boxes, wedges, and handles. His favorite events are springboard and hot saw, which is appropriate since he’s made a few hot saws for members.
What is your favorite part of the sport?
”My favorite part of the sport is meeting new people at each venue you go too, as well as seeing groupies that travel to many of the competitions.”
Samantha Graves - Secretary
Sam joined the woodsmen team at Paul Smiths College in 2013 and caught the bug after that, joining NYSLA in 2017. After taking a hiatus, Sam made a return to NYSLA in in 2020 and has been the Association Secretary since 2022. Sam is an Administrative Assistant at Bartlett Tree Experts and bartends by night. During the offseason, Sam enjoys snowshoeing and of course, training.
What is your favorite part of the sport?
”I like that you have the opportunity to compete as an individual, but also compete in several events with a partner.”
Cecelia Jones - Treasurer
Jeff Towner - Board Member
Jeff got started in the sport at Finger Lakes Community College from 1984 - 1986. After 18 years as a golf course superintendent, he is now a delivery driver for an agriculture company delivering to farms, golf courses, etc. Since joining NYSLA in 1994, Jeff has served on the Board of Directors and the Handicap Committee, When he isn’t competing, Jeff spends most of his time with his wife, Christine VanGee, maintaining their horse farm.
What do you like most about the sport?
”I like the sport because it keeps me physically active and it has developed many great friendships, we still have a reunion every two years with our woodsmen teammates from college.”
Will Chamberlin - Board Member
Will started competing in 2017 on the ESF Woodsmen Team, where he got a degree in Natural Resources Management. For work, Will works in a sporting goods shop, which is very fitting as he’s a hardcore waterfowl hunter. When he isn’t hunting, he enjoys training with current ESF team members and has started experimenting with axe grinding. Will joined NYSLA in 2018 and has served as a member of the handicapping committee and has served as a board member since 2024.
What is your favorite part of the sport?
”What I love most about the sport is the community of competitors that support each other and work to grow our shared extreme sport.”
Tim Keech - Board Member
Mary Reeder - Board Member
Mary got started in the sport in 2007, inspired by her son’s participation at the age of 10. Watching him compete ignited a passion within her, leading her to pursue it herself. Mary’s favorite event is the hot saw, in which she holds the title of Women’s National Chainsaw Champion. She has served as a board member the past several years, as well as holding other various positions within the Association over the years. When she isn’t competing, Mary works for the Pennsylvania DOT, where she applies her skills to public service. Outside of the sport, she has a deep passion for woodworking, allowing her to combine her love for the craft with her professional skills.
What do you love most about the sport?
”What I love most, is how over the years, I’ve witnessed the sport’s remarkable growth, with an influx of raw talent and new faces each year.”
Brandon Graves- Board Member
Brandon joined the woodsmen team at Finger Lakes Community College in 2013, graduated in 2015, then transferred to Paul Smith’s College for his Bachelor’s degree, competing until graduation in 2017. During the winter, Brandon works at a 12,000+ tap maple syrup operation, which is shipped all over the world. During the summer months, he also does landscaping and forestry. Brandon has given back and started coaching the team at FLCC during the school year. Joining NYSLA in 2017, Brandon took a hiatus following a chopping injury, having cut his sciatic nerve & hamstring, but wears an AFO brace, which enables him to compete. He returned to the association as a board member for the past several seasons. When he isn’t competing, Brandon plays in a death metal band, Gutted Alive.
What do you like most about the sport?
What I like most about our sport is the ability to constantly build yourself and your equipment arsenal to become a better athlete. It's like a painting that's never finished and you make progress every day towards the masterpiece but there's always more to learn and develop! I also love socializing with the lumberjack family and traveling to compete.