Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Associate Editor Jay Donnell travels to Carrabelle, Florida to spend some time with Donald Smith Logging, Inc. When Shirley Chason took over her husband’s logging business back in 2000, she knew tough times were ahead. Shirley’s husband, Donald Smith, started Donald Smith Logging Inc. in 1988 with a contract from St. Joe Timberland. The business was going strong until his death on July 2, 2000. “I decided to try and run it because it’s all I ever knew,” Shirley says. “We had some bumpy times there for a while, but Edward Chason and I married in 2002 and we decided we were going to make something out of it.” Edward, 52, was a truck driver for Donald Smith Logging when he met Shirley and he now manages the trucking operations for the company. He also does a lot of the company’s maintenance work. Shirley, 61, became president of the company and she hasn’t looked back.

Featured Story: “Moving Ahead”

Written By: Jay Donnell
Company: Donald Smith Logging Inc.
Location: Carrabelle, Florida
SLT Issue: August 2014

Check out other featured articles in the August 2014 issue of Southern Loggin’ Times magazine.
Southern Loggin’ Times magazine’s August 2014 issue focuses on women in logging. Featured are Lexington, South Carolina’s PSCC Logging, Clearing & Tree Service, Carrabelle, Florida’s Donald Smith Logging, and Jesup, Georgia’s Dixon Timber Co. Also highlighted is Caterpillar Forest Products’ recent launch of their new high-tech D Series skidders. Other articles cover logging business tips and the latest new products and technology.