Meet the Funga Team: Liam Gogel

Get to know the Funga crew with this newest installment of our "Meet the Team" series. Come back monthly to meet more team members, hear about their journey to Funga, and understand their vital role in our community.

Liam with his wife and dog at the Tule River in California.

We’re big fans of the “Today I get to….” mentality. So, what do you get to do every day at Funga?

At Funga, I get to implement a world class team's culmination of work. On a given day that could mean helping to plant the millions of tree’s Funga inoculates, coordinating with one of Funga’s land partners, or collecting data in the field to bring back to the team. I get to see the final product of everyone at Funga’s hardwork; a healthier, more productive forest.

Liam rolling a Sisyphus log truck wheel up a mountain.

If you had to explain what Funga does to a third grader, what would you say?

There are good types of fungi that connect to the roots of plants. These fungi and plants share food to help each other grow. Funga helps trees make friends with these good fungi so that forests grow bigger and stronger.

Tell us a little bit about your life. How did it lead you to Funga?

I discovered forestry at my first job with the US Forest Service in Indiana. I was 16 and sent out to help a forester for a day to get a change of pace from clearing trails. Fast forward a few years and I’ve earned a degree in Forestry from Purdue, gotten to work in some incredible places, met great people, and developed a passion for the science behind forest management. Funga caught my attention because of the novel ideas being implemented and put to the test. The opportunity to be a part of something revolutionary in forestry is pretty rare, so I jumped at the chance!

What is your favorite part of the job?

Getting to do new things and learn from the team. There is always something to improve or a challenge to solve and everyone at Funga is full of ideas!

What is one workflow/productivity tool or trick that you can’t live without?

Wake up early! Less distractions and in the summertime less heat.

Liam throwing a snow ball after getting married in Vermont.

What trivia round would you know every answer to?

1970’s motorcycles!

Can you share a favorite memory of/with the Funga team?

One of my favorite memories with Funga is the first day of the April 2025 offsite. This is my favorite memory because it felt like a family reunion of people I was meeting face to face with for the first time. It was a blast getting to know everyone and watch everyone interact! Folks from all over the country, with different interests and backgrounds coming together to collaborate as a team and get to know each other a little better on a personal level. It’s a unique thing to see and very cool.