Roger Milliken Jr. Takes the Chair at The Nature Conservancy

Roger Milliken Jr., president and CEO of Maine’s Baskahegan Co., was named chairman of the board of The Nature Conservancy, one of the world’s largest conservation organizations. The announcement was made earlier this month. Milliken, whose family’s company owns more than 100,000 acres of Maine timberland through Baskahegan and ranks No. 87 on the 2008 Land Report 100, has been a member of The Nature Conservancy board since 2000 and a member of the Maine chapter’s board of trustees for more than 10 years. He succeeds John Morgridge, former CEO of Cisco Systems. The complete press release from organization follows:
ARLINGTON, VA – December 1, 2008 – Today, The Nature Conservancy announced that Roger Milliken, Jr., President and CEO of the Baskahegan Company, was named chairman of the global conservation organization’s Board of Directors.
Milliken has been a member of the Conservancy’s Board since 2000 and a member of the Maine chapter’s board of trustees for more than 10 years. Milliken succeeds John Morgridge, former President and CEO of Cisco Systems, Inc., who completed his term as chair in October.
“I’m thrilled to be taking the helm at such a critical time in the Conservancy’s history,” said Milliken. “With the Conservancy’s global perspective and local presence in 50 states and more than 30 countries, the organization is well positioned to tackle global threats like climate change, and help protect the natural systems around the world that sustain all life.  I look forward to working in this new role with the board and staff of the Conservancy and our many partners and supporters to help build a sustainable planet.”
“Given his passion for conservation, his depth of knowledge and drive for action, Roger will be an outstanding board chairman,” said Mark Tercek, President and CEO of The Nature Conservancy.  “I look forward to working with Roger in his new role.”
“Through his leadership and involvement with the Conservancy in Maine over the last ten years, he has made a significant mark on lands and waters right here at home,” said Mike Tetreault, director of The Nature Conservancy’s Maine Chapter.
In 1983, Milliken joined the Baskahegan Company, a recognized leader in Maine’s forest products industry, and became president in 1989.  Known for its commitment to managing for timber while respecting the dynamics of natural systems, Baskahegan owns and manages more than 100,000 acres of forestland in eastern Maine, and has been certified as Well-Managed by the Forest Stewardship Council since 2004.
In addition to his work with the Conservancy, Milliken chairs the Advisory Board of the Manomet Forest Conservation Program and is an advisor to the Open Space Institute’s Northern Forest Protection Fund.  He is a former president of the Maine Forest Products Council, and served on the board of the Land for Maine’s Future program for nine years.  He is a Director of Pacolet Milliken Enterprises, a private company focusing on sustainable investment opportunities in the real estate, energy and natural resource sectors.