In prior years KWOA has given a Founders Award to our organizations’ founding members. This year, realizing we have already recognized all our founders, we are formally establishing a category called Leadership Awards. Our 2024 Leadership Awards recognize the dedication and leadership of 2 directors who have followed in our Founders footsteps: Jack Rentz and Henry Duncan.
Jack Rentz
A banker by profession, Jack retired from PNC Bank in 2013, after 43 years in commercial lending. He began buying woodlands 1998, and added more in 2017, to accumulate 78 acres in Lewis County. In 2018 they did a harvest and have worked with both KDF and a KACF consulting forester to develop and implement their Forest Stewardship Plans. The Rentz’s son-in-law and grandson are interested in carrying on the sustainable management practices forward for the next generation. Jack’s professional management insights have been a guiding force for the board.
Mr. Rentz came on the KWOA board in 2006. He was elected Assistant Treasurer in 2010, then Vice President in 2012, and as President 2013- 2015. He continued to serve on the Executive Committee as Immediate Past President, until 2018 when he was elected Secretary. As Secretary, he has served as Membership Chair, reaching out to welcome members and remind us of time to renew. Over his years on the board Jack has been actively involved in many actions including active support of the Forest Health Task Force (which KWOA played a key role in starting), the successful campaign to save the KDF Morgan County Tree Nursery, legislative initiatives relating to forest health, management, taxation, and more recently with the carbon credit research committee. Jack has had direct contact with the various programs and provides the updates that you can find our website regarding when a given program will be available in KY and how each program proposes to operate. Jack also takes the initiative to ask important questions regarding insurance coverage; he is especially interested in coverage for landowners hiring independent contract labor.
Jack leads by example; he is usually one of the first to arrive at educational events anywhere across Kentucky in support of KWOA and to recruit Woodland Owner members. Early on, he provided the board with guidance for “conference call meetings”, which paved the way for our present ZOOM board meetings and plans currently in development for regional Zoom meetings. Working with Jack on the Executive Committee is a pleasure, as I know he will review proposals carefully and make considered constructive suggestions. We are honored to acknowledge his contributions and present this leadership award to Jack Rentz.
Henry Duncan
Retired from the UK College of Agriculture where he served as the County AG Extension Agent in Butler County & as Area Extension Director in the Pennyrile Area of western KY and the Licking River Area of northeast KY. He also served for 10 years as AG Water Quality Coordinator in the state conservation division.
Henry and his wife Nancy own and manage a 450 acre diversified timber, grain, and cattle farm in Logan County... land his great, great grandfather owned and operated a pre-civil war era leather tanning business, that was supported by the bark from hardwoods. The adjacent highway is named Duncan’s hill.
The Duncan Farm was officially certified in the American Tree Farm System in 1985. They have hosted many educational events demonstrating the social, environmental, and economic benefits of sustainable woodland management.
Henry delights in sharing with others how his involvement in KWOA has helped him gain a much better understanding and appreciation for woodland management planning and practices. He credits KWOA for introducing him to the many offerings and support available through our partners such as the KDF, Ky Division of Forestry; Ky Fish and Wildlife; Ky Division of Conservation; KFIA, KY Forest Industries Association and master loggers, UK Forestry Extension Service, KACF Consulting foresters, and USDA: NRCS, FSA, the Ky Division of Conservation.... all of which have been on the farm, helping with plans, operations, and cost share support.
Henry Duncan came on the KWOA Board of Directors in 2006 and was elected Vice President in 2008. He served in that position until 2011 when he was elected President for 2 terms. He continues to serve as a director to this day and remains very active in all our work. We are grateful for his service on the nominating committee, as the KWOA Liaison with the KAC (KY Agricultural Council), and especially as an ambassador sharing KWOA’s leadership and contributions of benefit to Kentucky woodland owners.
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