STARKVILLE, MS – David Jones has joined the Mississippi State University Extension Service as its first forest products specialist.

Jones, a wood quality expert, formerly worked as a post-doctoral associate at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in forestry.

Jones will work with industry to increase production and reduce costs. “I see this position working with industry, homeowners, schools and organizations,” Jones said. “I will help educate people about wood and its many uses and the importance of the forest products industry in our state.

The forest products industry employs about 120,000 people in Mississippi and accounts for more than 8 percent of all jobs, according to Jones. The four primary wood product sectors are pulp and paper, wood furniture manufacturing, composite wood and solid wood products.