Ray Risco to Be Keynote Speaker for Esri Forestry GIS Conference

Redlands, California—April 02, 2012—Marvin (Ray) Risco, president, Weyerhaeuser Solutions, Inc., and vice president, Weyerhaeuser Timberlands, will give the keynote presentation at the Esri Forestry GIS Conference at Esri headquarters in Redlands, California, on May 1, 2012.

Notable in the forestry industry for his contribution to global operational management, Risco will talk about how business and technology are changing because of new demands such as renewable energy and conservation. Weyerhaeuser Solutions is modifying business models and some of its tools to adjust to the changes in global trends.

 "By taking a holistic approach, foresters can grow their forest-based products to include renewable energy and managing landscapes for water supply and quality," said Risco. "Foresters and land managers are making headway in their understanding of the value and location of these opportunities and sustainably maximizing acre returns. This Forestry GIS Conference is unique because it is specific to GIS and to foresters. I am looking forward to speaking with this important community about helping its executives and investors understand how Weyerhaeuser sees the future and its impact on forestlands and timber assets." 

Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest forest products companies, has been a longtime Esri customer. It has used ArcGIS for timber operations, land management, the development of its roads network, and forest planning.

Risco has more than two decades of experience operating international businesses in executive, general management, and financial roles. Currently, he is responsible for launching and leading the new Weyerhaeuser Solutions client-facing business focused on proprietary technical timberlands products, forestry consulting, alternative energy supply, implementation, and management services. He was responsible for Weyerhaeuser's international timberlands operations, including strategic direction setting, merger and acquisitions, and managing the international forest products operations. Prior to joining Weyerhaeuser in 1998, Risco worked with ARCO and Gillette in various US and international functions primarily focused in financial leadership roles.

The Esri Forestry GIS Conference will be held May 1–3, 2012. Hosted by the Esri Forestry Group, this conference will give forestry professionals from around the world the opportunity to learn from GIS experts and other foresters how to grow their systems for efficiency, value, and decision making. For more information, visit  esri.com/forestry.com.

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