About Us
Our Story
Founded in the spring of 1991, Sam Van Hook sought out on his own and created his own company, Kissimmee Valley Foresters. In the beginning, KVF conducted his first prescribed burn on his own, at no charge, wanting to build trust, respect, and create future opportunities with the volunteering land owner. With the opportunity granted by the landowner, and a successful prescribed fire, allowed Sam took the first essential steps to build Kissimmee Valley Foresters into a multifaceted company working on countless environmental projects with landowners across Florida. Still today, Kissimmee Valley Foresters core principles are built on trust, respect, experience, accountability, and quality fire!
Samuel M. VanHook II - Owner/President
Sam VanHook is a life-long resident of Florida with a true appreciation and love for the outdoors. Born on December 30, 1950, he is the eldest son of the late Major Samuel Mason VanHook and Captain Constance Bennett VanHook. Sam graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology in 1974. Shortly after graduation, he accepted a position with the federal government as a forester working on the 106,000 acres of the Avon Park Bombing Range. Here he would spend the next thirty years, perfecting the art of prescribed fires, logging and selling timber, as well as hosting over 800 trainees in a ten-year span for the National Interagency Prescribed Fire Training Center. After retiring from the Bombing Range, he began expanding his business Kissimmee Valley Foresters to better serve the forestry industry.
In 2010, after many years of dedication and hard work, The Society of American Foresters awarded him the C. Huxley Coulter Award and the Gene Lain Award for his contributions to the profession of Forestry. He also serves on the board and as a committee member for the SAF.
Sam resides in Babson Park, Florida with his wife Robin of forty eight years. They raised three children Brooke, Sam, and Zach. He is active in supporting and giving back to his community, even volunteered as an umpire for little league baseball, where he played as a child. When Sam is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family including his five grandchildren, as well as being in the outdoors fishing and hunting, while passing on his love of Florida to future generations.
Zachary H. Van Hook - Forester
Zach VanHook is a third-generation Floridian following in his father’s footsteps. He graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Forestry Management. Upon graduation, Zach joined his father in the family business. Working alongside his dad has given him valuable insight and experience into the forestry industry. He is a certified burn manager, tree farm inspector, and herbicide applicator. He is also certified with the Mining Safety and Health Association as well as a member of the Society of American Foresters.
Zach resides in Frostproof, Florida with his wife Ashley and their two sons Brooks and Hance. In his spare time, along with his family, he enjoys being outdoors hunting and fishing, appreciating all Florida has to offer.
Samuel T. Van Hook
Sam VanHook graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration & Marketing.
