SANDPOINT — It was 40 or so years ago that Dick Bradetich and Mike Wolcott walked into Bill Love's office at the Idaho Department of Lands in Sandpoint.

The pair, Love recounts, wanted to let him know about their new forestry consultation business.

Now, Inland Forest Management officials are letting the community know about a new change in the company with the sale of IFM to Georgia-based F&W Forestry Services.

While ownership may be changing, former owner and IFM president Mike Wolcott said little else will. 

The name will remain, the company's foresters will continue to serve their clients and its commitment to providing a wide range of forestry-related service will only expand.

“There is a remarkable alignment between F&W and IFM,” Marshall Thomas, F&W president said. “It was immediately clear to me that IFM’s high-quality operations, strong customer relationships, and highly experienced team were the perfect fit to join the F&W family.” 

Thomas said the firm's acquisition of IFM underscores its dedication to top-tier forest management services and expanding its presence in the U.S.

The sale of IFM, a regional leader in private forestland management and wildfire suppression, was announced last week to the Albany, Ga.-based firm, one of the nation’s oldest and largest forestry consulting firms.

The sale of his ownership interest was made with an eye toward ensuring the long-term stability of Inland Forest Management, Wolcott said.

“Key employees were involved in the ownership change decision and are excited about leveraging F&W’s considerable technology, knowledge and support to further serve our clients,” Wolcott said. “Our clients will continue to be served by the same foresters and will be hard-pressed to notice any changes.”