Meet the Team
Ben Marshall - Owner & Organizer
Ben got his start in the lumberjack world while studying Forest Technology at UNH, where he joined the Woodsmen’s Team in 2009. In addition to the Woodsmen Team, Ben was a member of the UNH Dairy Club, as well as a brother in the Alpha Gamma Rho agricultural fraternity, where he’s still an active alumnus. Following college, Ben worked for his family’s tree care business, until he took a 6 month hiatus to do a lumberjack show at EPCOT in Disney World. Upon his return to New Hampshire, Ben continued working for his family’s business, as well as at a fruit, vegetable, and Christmas tree farm. During the competition season, Ben travels to over 30 competitions, easily accumulating more than 20,000 miles across North America. When he is taking a break from competitions, you can find Ben working at the farm, cooking, or spending time on the water with family and friends.
Katie Keller - Score Keeper
Katie grew up in Galway, NY and currently resides in Carlisle, NY, where she works for Cornell University's Quality Milk Production Services as a field technician. She got started in timbersports her freshman year of college at SUNY Cobleskill in 2015. Outside of work, she competes in American Professional Rodeo, barrel racing with her horse, Lieutenant Dan. She loves spending time with my blue heeler Josie, showing beef cattle, and duck hunting with the boys.
What is your favorite event?
”My favorite event to compete in is singlebuck!”
Tim Marshall - Deck Boss / Wood Crew
After graduating Paul Smith’s College with a degree in Forest Technology, Tim moved to Colorado with some college buddies to do logging for a summer. Upon returning to New Hampshire, he started his arborist career working at Bartlett Tree, where he met his future business partner and they began their own business in 1988. Tim travels to the majority of the competitions, managing the wood crew, coordinating setup, and the official trim saw operator. When he’s not socializing with competitors and judging the fried dough, Tim enjoys spending time on his boat deep sea fishing with friends.
“Super” Dave Jewett - Announcer
Dave began competing while attending Finger Lakes Community College in New York. Upon finishing college, Dave travelled around the United States and Canada competing and learning form the legends. Over the years, he has made multiple trips to Australia & New Zealand to compete during the winter, as well as many trips to Europe as a member of team USA. When he isn’t announcing, or competing, you can find Dave in his basement making ornaments for his Christmas tree stand, fishing on Cape Cod, or surfing in New Jersey.
Dave Johns - Announcer
Dave is a Syracuse, NY native and a 2010 graduate of SUNY Cobleskill, where he joined the Woodsmen’s team in 2007. For work, Dave sells solutions for a greener world at Reworld. Outside of work and announcing lumberjack competitions, Dave enjoys washing lures and chewing the fat. One of Dave’s fun facts is that he’s the Captain of the “South Shore Swim Team”.
What is your favorite part of the sport?
”My favorite part of the sport is the people and the camaraderie. The melting pot of personalities never gets old! “
Kyleigh Richards - Wood Crew
Kyleigh studied Forestry & Wildlife while in high school, as well as being an active member of her high school FFA chapter, later serving as a NH FFA state officer. While in FFA, Kyleigh competed in the Forestry and Agricultural Mechanics competitions, where she represented New Hampshire at the FFA National Convention. When she isn’t traveling to competitions with Dan, Kyleigh enjoys spending time with her siblings and her cousin’s horses.
Daniel Merritt - Wood Crew
Dan is a graduate of Sugar River Valley High School, where he focused on forestry, was a chapter FFA officer, later becoming a state FFA officer. Following high school, Dan moved to the seacoast, where he works as a historical restoration painter, restoring historic landmark buildings around the seacoast. When he isn’t coordinating packing the lumberjack trailer, you can find Dan playing video games with his friends, trying new restaurants, or participating in fundraisers for the New Hampshire FFA Alumni Association.
Abby Stevens - Announcer
Abby has been in the sport since joining the team at University of Maine in 2018, later joining the team at Unity College. She works as an environmental scientist, specializing in soil science and consulting. Abby’s focus is on soil health, carbon dynamics, and nutrient management. When she isn’t working, Abby enjoys coaching the University of Maine Woodsmen Team, as well as hunting and fishing.
What do you like most about the sport?
”One of my favorite things about timber sports is the history—it’s a sport where technique and tradition meet in a really unique way!”
Kevin Tagan - Announcer
Kevin is a born and raised native of Torrington, CT. He started going to lumberjack shows since he was 3 years old and started volunteering with his family to run various competitions. Kevin started to learn the sport as a teenager, but ended up becoming a head judge. Following the 2010 Kleen Energy Natural Gas Explosion that claimed the life of Announcer Pete Chepulis, Kevin moved into announcing. He currently announces shows in CT, NY, PA and NH, as well as coordinating the competition at the Bethlehem Fair. Kevin is an Engineering Manager and director of the Bethlehem Fain in CT. His hobbies include being a beer snob, BBQing, and cooking.
What is your favorite part of the sport?
”My favorite part is making the shows interesting for the fans as well as injecting humor and keeping the crowd laughing while somehow being able to make fun of competitors without getting an axe upside the head.”