“ I had to be outside ,” he says . “ I transferred to the WVU Forestry School pretty quickly .”
Working outdoors is what the Plaugher family has known for generations . With grandparents who farmed , worked on railroads and logged with horses , the family centered its life ’ s work on natural resources and the great outdoors .
“ That early appreciation of natural resources and the family careers provide an understanding that it can be an enjoyable and bountiful career that continued the family legacy in natural resources ,” says Aaron Plaugher , fiber sustainability manager for WestRock .
Aaron ’ s wife , Tina , works for an agriscience company while their daughter , Gillian , works in the dairy industry . Their son , Patrick , recently graduated with a forestry degree from WVU .
Aaron , Eldon , Linda and Tom Plaugher .
“ Seeing my family ’ s successes and how they enjoyed their outdoor jobs made it seem like a good career decision ,” Patrick says .
Tom and Aaron ’ s father , Eldon , spent 35 years with Westvaco Corporation , mostly as a land manager , before spending five years in Glenville State University ’ s Forest Technology Department . His wife , Linda , worked for the U . S . Forest Service for many years .
“ My dad taught my brother and I about the practical application of forestry and silviculture on the ground ,” Tom says . “ We both knew how to use a compass and read a topographical map when we were very young . We had both laid out and cruised our first timber sale by the time we were 16 .”
The Plaughers have a Christmas tree farm that Eldon and his wife started when they built their Parsons home , letting their boys help plant , mow around and cut the trees to learn how to properly care for nature .
“ We have enjoyed the families coming with their small children and now some of those children are bringing their little ones to pick a tree ,” Eldon says .
From developing Appalachian Wood Pellets to his wife ’ s farm in Tucker County to his extended family ’ s commitment to natural resources and agriculture , Tom Plaugher knows this line of work is his destiny .
“ I can honestly say that in 30 years , I have never spent more than a couple of days in a row sitting behind a desk ,” he says .