MSU Carlton Owen lecturer Kimbrough to share insights on institutional timberland investments
Contact: Wendy Campbell
STARKVILLE, Miss.—The managing director of Manulife Investment Management’s timberland acquisition and divestiture programs will discuss the future of institutional timberland investments during the university’s Carlton Owen Lecture Series Friday [Nov. 6].
David Kimbrough, a three-time Mississippi State graduate, will present his lecture “Timberland Institutional Ownership: Where does it go from here?” exploring the history and future of timberland investment management, and the opportunities available to students within the field, at 2 p.m. in Thompson Hall’s Tully Auditorium.
“David exemplifies the impact our graduates can have across the forestry and natural resources industries,” said Wes Burger, CFR dean and director of the Forest and Wildlife Research Center. “His professional experience and insights will provide a valuable perspective for our students and the broader university community, and we are honored to have him share his expertise with us.”
Manulife Investment Management oversees timberlands for both public and private clients, with diversified portfolios across multiple regions. Kimbrough’s talk will expand on the long-term benefits of land investment and the way timberland functions as an asset class for institutional investors.
“There’s an old saying that goes, ‘Buy land because they’re not making any more of it,’ and I think that sentiment rings true for many investors,” he said. “Timberland is a tangible asset, and with development continuing around the world, there will be an ongoing need for timber, lumber and other forest products to support that growth. For many investors, seeing that connection provides a level of comfort for investing in timberland.
“There’s a really diverse set of job opportunities that you can find in this industry now, from management foresters to specialists in GIS, LiDAR, inventory management, forest economics, accounting and even different client interfacing jobs where you’re on a day-to-day basis speaking with institutional clients,” Kimbrough added. “What’s exciting for students is that the industry offers opportunities to apply a variety of skills and pursue career paths that extend well beyond traditional forestry roles.”
The Carlton Owen Lecture Series, which focuses on natural resource conservation and leadership, was established more than 30 years ago by the Greenville, South Carolina, resident and 1974 MSU graduate, and is sponsored by MSU’s College of Forest Resources.
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