Welcome, Eric Allen

Friends of Trees’ new Development Director, Eric Allen, is a fourth-generation Oregonian whose “grandfather was one of Oregon’s first forest rangers” and whose father was a career forester. “Northwest forests have always been an integral part of my life,” he says.

Eric’s wife Hollie is the Development Director for Growing Gardens, and their son Milo is in third grade at Laurelhurst school.

Having earned a bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering Technology and a master’s in Business Administration from the University of Oregon, he first worked in the high-technology industry, mostly with Intel Corporation, then shifted to mission-based environmental work as Development Director for Columbia Land Trust, which conserves and restores important lands in the Northwest.

Eric loves to spend time with his family hiking and biking. Though he’s hiked the entire Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail from Canada to Mexico (and back), his family hikes are “a little tamer but equally rewarding.”

He appreciated Friends of Trees’ work long before he joined the staff, but “in just the short time I’ve been here, I’ve learned what incredibly talented and dedicated staff and volunteers we have.”

Eric hopes to see Friends of Trees continue growing as a leader and model for cities and communities throughout the Northwest, and the country. As Development Director, his goal is to help build and diversify Friends of Trees’ funding so the organization can sustainably grow and thrive—“and plant more trees!”