weaver lecturer engages with graduate students during presentation
ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE
The Emmett & ViAnn Thompson Lecture in Forest Economics and Policy was established in the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment by the college’s founding dean, Emmett F. Thompson, and his wife, ViAnn. The annual series was created to enrich the college’s academic programs with speakers of national and international acclaim who possess expertise in forestry and natural resources with a focus on forest economics and policy. As part of the multi-day event, opportunities for networking and discussion foster speaker engagement and knowledge transfer among industry professionals, alumni, friends, faculty and students.
2026 Thompson Distinguished Lecturer
The Emmett & ViAnn Lecture in Forest Economics and Policy will feature the 2026 Thompson Distinguished Lecturer Cade Warner, president and CEO of The Westervelt Company. Warner will present a lecture on Wednesday, February 25, at 2 p.m. at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center in Auburn, Alabama. The lecture will take place in the Auditorium, with a reception immediately following.
Lecture Title
It Pays to Be Different: The History and Future of One of America’s Most Enduring Forest Products Family Firms
Abstract
Cade Warner, president and CEO of The Westervelt Company, will present a strategic overview of the Alabama forest products industry through the lens of a 140-year-old family-owned enterprise. This lecture will explore how The Westervelt Company has sustained long-term success by embracing differentiation, innovation, sustainability and disciplined leadership across generations.
Attendees will gain insight into the company’s historical evolution, current operational model and forward-looking strategy for navigating market volatility, regulatory shifts and environmental imperatives. Warner will discuss how Westervelt balances the complex dynamics of family ownership, industry trends, economic pressures and stakeholder engagement while managing a diverse portfolio of operating entities.
The lecture will also cover Warner’s outlook on timberland and forest products markets, including key opportunities and risks shaped by policy, consumer behavior and global sustainability movements. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of strategic resilience, stakeholder alignment and the unique challenges of leading a legacy business in a modern economy.
Event Details
Auburn University faculty, staff, students, alumni, industry professionals and others interested in the important role that forests and the forest products industry play in our lives are invited to attend the lecture and reception to be held at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center Auditorium and Legacy Ballroom. Admission is complimentary. Parking is available adjacent to the conference center in the Auburn University South College Parking Deck. For more information, contact Marc Walley, chair of the planning committee, at mwalley@forestinvest.com.
Speaker Biography
A native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Cade Warner is the president and CEO of The Westervelt Company. He received a bachelor’s degree in commerce and business administration from the University of Alabama, a master’s in business administration from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree in forest resources with a specialization in forest business from the University of Georgia. In addition, he is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA®) and Financial and Modeling Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) professional designations.
Prior to becoming CEO, Warner’s experience included his role as chief operating officer, where he was responsible for the five business operations of The Westervelt Company – Forest Resources, Wood Products, Ecological Services, Real Estate and New Zealand, as well as Business Development and Information Services. He also served as chief sustainability officer, where he was responsible for leading sustainability efforts across the organization, as well as having responsibility for Westervelt Ecological Services, Westervelt New Zealand and Westervelt Real Estate businesses. Warner previously served as director of business development and improvement, where he was responsible for the company’s strategic planning, business development and business improvement functions, and as the continuous improvement manager, where he oversaw the development and implementation of the company’s continuous improvement program, Growing Excellence.
Warner has been, and continues to be, involved with many community leadership groups, including the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Leadership Tuscaloosa, Leadership Alabama, United Way of West Alabama’s Young Leadership Society, Rotary International and the Tuscaloosa Rotary Foundation Board. In addition, Warner also directly supports the industry through board positions on the Wood Products Council | WoodWorks, American Wood Council, National Alliance of Forest Owners, Alabama Wildlife Federation, World Forestry Center, and the University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business Board of Visitors, the University of Georgia Harley Langdale, Jr. Center for Forest Business, the Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment STAR Committee, and the Alabama Productivity Center.
Warner and his wife, April, have two children and enjoy spending their time traveling and being outside.
