Dennis started with LTLT in May 2002 as Forestry Program Coordinator. Since fall 2004, he has served as Land Stewardship Coordinator, which involves oversight of management and restoration activities on LTLT’s properties, baseline documentation and annual monitoring visits on LTLT’s conservation easements, and stewardship-related outreach and volunteer activities.

Previous to joining LTLT, Dennis served for two years as Program Manager for Sustainable Forestry and Wood Products at Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) in southwest Virginia, where he still owns forest and pasture land. Dennis's background includes a B.S. in Natural Resources from Ohio State University, an M.S. in Forestry from North Carolina State University, and thirteen years of international experience in community forestry, agroforestry, and soil conservation, including assignments in Latin America and South Asia. Dennis is a NC Registered Forester (#1515) and a licensed NC Ground Pesticide Applicator (#026-24028). Dennis lives in the Burningtown area of Macon County, and is an advocate for sustainability. Among his life goals are completion of the Appalachian Trail, which he started in 1980, and to never own a suit.