Agus Purwoko (author) was born in Kejobong, Central Java, Indonesia, on August 1, 1974. The writer has been a researcher and teacher in the Forestry Study Program (S1, S2) since 1999, the Regional and Rural Development Planning Study Program (S2, S3) since 2006, and the Natural Resources and Environmental Management Study Program (S3) since 2018 at University of North Sumatra, Indonesia, with the title of Associate Professor. The author currently serves as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation at the Faculty of Forestry, University of North Sumatra. The author teaches several courses such as Natural Resource Economics, Economic Valuation and Natural Resource Damage, Forestry Policy and Regulation, Regional Planning,, Spatial Planning, Research Methods, and Forestry Business. The author mostly researches topics related to regional development based on management and development of forest resource potential (especially non-timber and services). Various forms of utilization and management of forest resources by communities, companies, and local governments are the focus of the author's research, in order to potentials and recommend methods, approaches, and policies for their development. In research and scientific writing, the author collaborates with many experts from various backgrounds of the Institute. In addition, the author also continues to learn from senior experts to develop his capacity and knowledge.