UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K


CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
September 14, 2012


WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland
000-53193
20-3536671
 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
 (Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 
6200 The Corners Parkway
Norcross, Georgia 30092-3365
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (770) 449-7800
 
Former name or former address, if changed since last report: Not applicable
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (See General Instruction A.2 below):
 
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))






Item 5.02.     Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On September 14, 2012, the Board of Directors of Wells Timberland REIT, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Henry G. Zigtema to serve as an independent director of the Company, which appointment filled a vacancy on the Board of Directors. Mr. Zigtema will serve on the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and the Operations Committee.

Mr. Zigtema is currently an adjunct professor of accounting at Oglethorpe University and serves on the President's Advisory Board at Oglethorpe. Prior to his retirement in 2006, Mr. Zigtema spent 28 years of his career with Ernst and Young LLP and its predecessor firm, Arthur Young and Company. From 2001 to 2006, Mr. Zigtema was the Southeast Area Tax Managing Partner for Ernst & Young's Real Estate Practice. During his career, Mr. Zigtema served in several key positions, including Area Director of Tax, Plains State Area Industry Leader for Telecommunications, Oil and Gas, and Real Estate as well as a National Office Partner for Strategic Business Services. Mr. Zigtema served as the tax engagement partner or client service partner for a wide variety of clients, including multinational companies such as Sprint, Zion's Bank, US Bank, Wells Real Estate Investment Trust I, Wells Real Estate Investment Trust II, various publicly-traded REITs in the retail, office, apartment and mortgage spaces, as well as a number of private clients. Past board of director involvement includes Maur Hill Prep School, Kapaun Mt. Carmell High School, St. Thomas Aquinas School, Wichita State Accounting Conference Committee, Sedgewick County Zoo, and Ronald McDonald House. Mr. Zigtema has contributed to various Ernst and Young publications and was a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts.

Mr. Zigtema holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Texas Christian University and a Juris Doctorate degree from Southern Methodist University as well as completing non-degree accounting classes at the University of Texas at Dallas. Mr. Zigtema is a Certified Public Accountant with permits to practice in Georgia, Kansas, and Texas and is an inactive member of the Texas Bar.





SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


 
 
WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC.
 
 
 
Date: September 14, 2012
By:
/s/ DOUGLAS P. WILLIAMS
 
 
Douglas P. Williams
Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and
Principal Financial Officer