Michael Kay (center left), recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Logger of the Year Award, is joined by Corey Stover (left), SFI Chair, Graham VanDusen, Texas Logging Council Chair, and Dave Duren (right), Texas Logging Council Coordinator, during the Texas Forestry Association's annual meeting in Nacogdoches, Texas.
October 30, 2025 - Texas Forestry Association (TFA) presented Michael Kay of Shelbyville with the 2025 Outstanding Logger of the Year Award during its annual meeting held October 22-24, 2025, at The Fredonia Hotel and Convention Center in Nacogdoches, Texas.
"Michael Kay exemplifies the dedication, perseverance, and entrepreneurial spirit that defines the logging profession in Texas," said TFA Executive Director Rob Hughes. "His journey from operating equipment for others to building a successful multi-crew logging operation demonstrates the hard work and determination that make our industry strong."
Kay's logging career began in early 1995 when he started working on a logging job owned by Keith O'Rear, operating various pieces of equipment and learning the business from the ground up. After gaining experience, he purchased a Bobcat Skid Steer loader and haul trucks, spending approximately three years in different ventures before working for the U.S. Forest Service operating a dozer on a firefighting crew plowing fire lanes.
"There was always that place in his heart to be his own boss and run his own business," said Hughes.
In 2005, Kay bought his first log truck and began hauling from various logging jobs. A chance discovery of old logging equipment for sale on the roadside led to his acquisition of a skidder, feller-buncher, and loader for $32,000. Though the equipment was in rough shape, Kay's determination kept him moving forward, spending days hauling two to three loads and working nights and weekends to keep the equipment running.
Today, Kay's business, MDD Enterprises Inc., utilizes three company crews. One crew works full-time for TTG Forestry Services, primarily on final harvest tracts, while the other two crews work full-time for Morris Timber on various types of harvest.
"Michael is very self-dependent on his job; you hardly hear a word from him unless there's a significant problem," said Hughes. "That reliability and professionalism are hallmarks of his operation."
Kay has served as Vice President and member of Chapter 2 Texas Logging Council, received his Texas Pro Logger certification in 2006, and has continued his continuing education units every year since.
"Michael Kay's commitment to professional excellence, his dedication to continuous education, and his ability to balance multiple successful enterprises while maintaining the highest standards in logging operations make him a worthy recipient of this prestigious award," said Hughes.
The Outstanding Logger of the Year Award is presented annually to recognize exceptional professionalism, safety standards, and contributions to the logging industry in Texas.
Texas Forestry Association, the voice for forestry for over 100 years, promotes an economic, social and political climate that will advance forestry in Texas through education, political action and public relations, as well as serving the broad needs of the forest resource of landowners, producers and consumers, and to enhance and perpetuate the Texas forest resource.
