- Annual EBITDA built
$45M+
Annual EBITDA built
- Years at Rayonier
19
Years at Rayonier
- Acres of timberland covered
2.3M
Acres of timberland covered
- Export markets
9
Export markets
About.
Vernon Hiott helps organizations spot opportunities, unlock value and grow. Through Catalyst Point Partners, the advisory firm he founded in Fernandina Beach, he works with businesses, investors, landowners and leadership teams on growth strategy, business development, land and natural resource decisions, market intelligence and board-level planning.
He spent nearly 20 years at Rayonier. As Senior Vice President of Land Resources and Business Development, he led the team that built the company's Land-Based Solutions business across its 2.3 million acre U.S. timberland portfolio, growing it to more than $45 million in annual EBITDA. Earlier he launched Rayonier's U.S. South log export business, expanded it to four states serving nine international markets, and led due diligence on timberland transactions totaling about $150 million. He studied forestry and business at Clemson and forest finance at the University of Georgia.
Track record.
- Built Rayonier's Land-Based Solutions business to $45M+ annual EBITDA
- Launched a log export business serving nine international markets
- Led due diligence on about $150M of timberland transactions
- Board member, Nassau Education Foundation
Experience.
Founder and Principal
Catalyst Point Partners
2026 to Present · Fernandina Beach, Florida
Strategic advisory for businesses, investors, landowners and leadership teams.
Senior Vice President, Land Resources and Business Development
Rayonier
2024 to 2026 · Wildlight, Florida
Built the Land-Based Solutions business unit with senior leaders and the board.
Vice President, Business Development and Land Resources
Rayonier
2021 to 2024 · Wildlight, Florida
Grew non-timber revenue and expanded log exports to nine international markets.
Director, Business Development and Land Resources
Rayonier
2017 to 2021 · Wildlight, Florida
Launched the U.S. South log export business and built market intelligence.
Manager and Analyst, Business Development
Rayonier
2007 to 2017
Created the timber market analytics program and led acquisition due diligence.
What you can ask Vernon about.
- How do I find new revenue in assets I already own?
- How should I evaluate a land or timberland acquisition?
- How do I build a business development function from scratch?
- What should I look at before expanding into a new market?
- How do I bring a growth strategy to my board?
Nobody builds alone.
Send Vernon one specific question. It goes straight to his inbox.