FAYETTEVILLE, AR, September 9, 2025 – As sustainable land management and strategic forestry become increasingly important for developers, investors, and landowners, Saunders Real Estate is once again demonstrating the depth of its leadership and expertise. Greg L. Hay, Senior Advisor in Arkansas, has been awarded the Gifford Pinchot Medal by the Society of American Foresters (SAF), one of the most prestigious career achievement awards in North American forestry. Presented only in odd-numbered years, the medal recognizes outstanding contributions to forestry practice, administration, and professional development across North America, and is considered one of the highest honors in the profession.
Greg L. Hay, ACF, CF, RF, Senior Advisor at Saunders Real Estate
“Receiving the Gifford Pinchot Medal is a tremendous honor and a highlight of my career,” said Hay. “Looking back over more than four decades in forestry, it’s humbling to have my work in reforestation, land management, and professional development recognized by my peers. I’m deeply grateful to the Society of American Foresters for this acknowledgment, and it motivates me to continue contributing to the field I’ve dedicated my life to.”
Hay joined Saunders Real Estate in January 2025 after founding Hay Forestry LLC and following a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years in forestry and land management. Prior to joining Saunders, he served as Reforestation Advisor at ArborGen, Territory Manager for Nutrien Solutions, and held leadership roles with CellFor Corporation, Forest Technology Group, Timberland Enterprises, and the U.S. Forest Service. Hay is a SAF Fellow, Arkansas Foresters Hall of Fame inductee, and has earned numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ouachita Society of American Foresters and the SAF President’s Outstanding Field Forester Award.
“Seeing Greg recognized with the Gifford Pinchot Medal is a moment of real significance for all of us at Saunders,” said Tyler Davis, President of Saunders Real Estate. “It highlights not only Greg’s national impact but also the caliber of expertise we bring to our clients. Our leadership team is made up of professionals who have shaped the land and forestry space at the highest levels, and this recognition reinforces the depth of knowledge and experience our clients can rely on every day.”
Greg Hay’s achievement underscores Saunders Real Estate’s growing expertise in land advisory and forestry services, providing clients with nationally recognized leadership in sustainable land management and strategic land use.
About Saunders Real Estate
Saunders Real Estate is a leading land and commercial real estate brokerage serving buyers,
sellers, investors, and landowners across the Southeastern United States for nearly 30 years. With over 125 advisors and offices in major U.S. markets, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, the firm specializes in large-acreage land transactions, commercial property sales and leasing, and property management.
To reflect its legacy and continued growth, Saunders Real Estate operates through two divisions—Saunders Land and Saunders Commercial. The firm's expertise spans agriculture, conservation, recreation, residential development, and commercial real estate, supported by specialized services such as forestry, land management, and investment acquisitions.
Today, Saunders Real Estate is recognized as a trusted authority in the region, delivering
exceptional results through experienced leadership, innovative strategies, and a client-focused
approach.