Who’s Who In Hardwoods – February 2026
3.75 Million Board Feet Purchased By Pennsylvania Company
Edgar Pry is the procurement and project manager at Lewis Lumber Products in Picture Rocks, PA.
Lewis Lumber Products manufactures custom architectural mouldings, S2S, rip blanks, cut to length parts, flitches, paneling and flooring in addition to distributing hardwood lumber. They also offer priming and have a FSC certification.
The company purchases approximately 3.75 million board feet annually in 4/4 through 16/4, mostly in domestic species with a handful of exotics.
Pry has spent 35 years in the forest products industry, 24 years with Lewis Lumber Products and six years in his current position. He has also held a sales manager position at Lewis Lumber Products from 2004 to 2019 in addition to working as the lumber buyer for American Lumber in Williamsport, PA, from 1996 – 2001, where he started his first position in the industry as a lumber handler in 1990.
He graduated from Altoona Area High School in Altoona, PA. Pry has run over 30 ultramarathons. Pry is passionate about cancer treatment, especially the work of St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, for which he has created a fundraiser in addition to supporting Olivia Perrotto’s battle.
He also recently celebrated his 18th sober birthday in early 2025.
He is married to Jamie Lyn and has twin daughters (Hannah and Sydney) in college.
Lewis Lumber Products is a member of the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association, the Wood Component Manufacturers Association, the Penn-York Lumbermen’s Club and the Keystone Wood Products Association.
Learn more by calling 570-584-4460, emailing edp@lewislp.com or visiting lewislp.com.
La-Z-Boy Corporation: Manufacturing A Variety Of Residential Furniture
Keith Byrge is a purchasing agent with La-Z-Boy Corporation, located in Dayton, TN. His responsibilities include purchasing for all the La-Z-Boy plants in the U.S. and in Mexico.
La-Z-Boy Corporation is a manufacturer of residential furniture, including recliners, reclining sofas and love seats, sleep sofas, modular furniture and leather upholstery, as well as stationary sofas, love seats and chairs.
The company currently purchases approximately eight million board feet annually of Soft Maple in 5/4 and 4/4 thicknesses, No. 2 Common, No. 2 Common and Better and WHND.
Byrge’s family owned and operated a small sawmill and logging operation in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and he grew up working there. After graduating from Oakdale High School in Oakdale, TN, Byrge continued to work for his family’s company until he was hired by La-Z-Boy in May of 1992 to build arm frames. 10 years later, he became frame supervisor, then moved into the lumber area managing all facets of the rough mill along with Show Wood Finishing Operations.
When not at work, he enjoys coon hunting and rustic woodworking, along with attending church with his family. He has been married to his wife, Carla, since 1995 and together, they have one son, Eli, who is 27 years old.
For more information, visit la-z-boy.com or email Byrge at kbyrge@la-z-boy.com.
Lance Surges: CEO Of Illinois Based End Use Manufacturer
Lance Surges is CEO and owner of L. Surges Custom Woodwork Inc. located in Joliet, IL.
L. Surges Custom Woodwork is an end use manufacturer specializing in custom mouldings, curved trim for the window industry and embossed woods.
They purchase 100,000 board feet per year of Poplar, 24,000 board feet of Ash, 24,000 board feet of Basswood, 25,000 board feet of Red Oak and 25,000 board feet of Soft White Maple and soon will be purchasing tremendous amounts of upper grades in Hickory.
In 2013, L. Surges Custom Woodwork purchased Yuenger Wood Moulding, which is one of the third largest embossing companies in the United States. Around 95 percent of embossing and decorative wheels were acquired from House of Fara by Surges. The company’s sales markets are regional and national, with products marketed to builders, picture frame companies, companies requiring store fixtures and individuals.
L. Surges Custom Woodwork provides short custom runs in finger joints, double surfacing, straight line moulding. Early in the realm, they are implementing drumsticks into the business. They’ve added a Newman 282 double-sided planer, a Timesaver two-sided sander and in process a Weinig moulder. Surges’ expansive inventory includes approximately 3,000 knives.
Surges is a graduate from Joliet West High School, Joliet, and Illinois Institute of Technology, located in Chicago, IL, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Upon graduating college, Surges became a chemist for two years before venturing on to start his own company. He has held his current position for 26 years, handling purchasing and daily operations.
In his spare time Surges enjoys spending time with family and friends.
For more information visit lsurgeswoodwork.com.
