Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey appointed Tim Wood to the Alabama Conservation Advisory Board this week.

Wood, currently the general manager of the Central Alabama Farmers Cooperative in Selma, will represent Congressional District 7.

“I’m honored to be considered, but it’s great to have representation from the Black Belt,” Wood said. “I heard it can be challenging, but I’m looking forward it.”

Wood is a strong supporter of the outdoors and its industry for hunting and fishing statewide. He said it’s a $1.8 billion industry, including $375 million from hunting-related equipment and another $405 million off travel expenses.

“In the rural parts of the state, that is extremely important,” Wood said. “If they didn’t have the tax dollars and economic benefits from hunting in these rural areas, it would be devastating.”

Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship said he’s glad to have Wood on board.

Wood is one of four co-chairs for Hunting Works for Alabama, a grassroots group who inform the public about the enormous impact hunters have on the state’s economy. He also is a member of the Alabama Agribusiness Council Foundation and a state board member with the Alabama Wildlife Federation.

“Tim Wood has been involved with both the recreational and business side of the outdoors in Alabama,” Blankenship said in a release. “Tim is an avid hunter and angler, and he has transformed the Central Alabama Farmers Co-Op in Selma into a business that caters to the hunting community. His work with Hunting Works for Alabama and the Alabama Wildlife Federation proves he is dedicated to promoting and improving the outdoors experience in our great state.”

Wood, a Polk native played linebacker at Auburn from 1978 to 1980 and lettered all three years. Wood and his wife, Susan, have two children Blaire and Elizabeth.