Lou Jean is a 1993 graduate of The Evergreen State College where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies. After graduation she began her career as a Soil Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. There she worked with agricultural and forestry producers developing and implementing best management practices.
Lou Jean’s late husband, Steve Stinson was a founding member of the Family Forest Foundation. She believes in the social and environmental benefits that family forests provide and shares in Steve’s vision of assisting family forest landowners in their pursuit to stay on the landscape well into the future.
Lou Jean is currently a managing partner of the Cowlitz Ridge Tree Farm, LLC near Toledo, Washington. Professional affiliations include: Washington Farm Forestry Association; Family Forest Legacies, LLC, managing committee member; Steven D. Stinson Leadership in Natural Resources Scholarship, advisory committee member; and American Alumni of University Women.