Rob Farrell is a self-described “tree guy,” and he has proven that to be true throughout his career and life. Rob came to Virginia Tech knowing he wanted to major in forestry — if there were other options, Rob was not interested. During his time as an undergraduate student, he was a member of the Forestry Club, and through the Forestry Club he met his wife, Jill. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry.

Prior to joining the Virginia Department of Forestry in 2000, Rob worked as an arborist and urban forester in Virginia, and Maryland. In 2000, he joined the Virginia Department of Forestry as an Area Forester. During this time, he completed his M.S. in Forestry from Virginia Tech. He continued with DOF to serve as Assistant Director for Forestland Conservation and as Deputy State Forester. In 2017, the Virginia Forestry Association selected Rob as Outstanding Member of the Year.

In January 2018, then Governor-elect Ralph Northam appointed Rob as the eighth Virginia State Forester. He was reappointed by Governor Youngkin in 2022. During his time as State Forester, Rob oversaw the launch of the Hardwood Initiative, which provides cost-share and tax credit programs for landowners, he supported creation of the award-winning Generation Next program in partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension.

On the human side of the job, he led the agency through the COVID-19 pandemic, twice served as the Chair of the Southern Group of State Foresters, and was honored by the Southern Group of States Foresters with the Urban Forestry Award in 2023 for his leadership in supporting state coordinators during times of significant change.

Rob has lived a life of service in the spirit of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) and is a genuine “tree guy”.