AHMI Annual Meeting Offers Valuable Information For Members
by Tom Inman
Members and guests participated in a successful 2026 Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc. (AHMI) Annual Meeting and received useful information on hardwood issues. The meeting was held at Naples Grande Resort in Naples, FL.
SUSTA Connects Foreign Buyers
Danielle Coco of the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) explained ways the organization helps exporters reach new markets. The agency works with agriculture companies in 14 southern states and the territory of Puerto Rico to develop marketing plans, attend international shows and trade missions, and provide market information to members.
SUSTA works closely with the American Hardwood Export Council and other groups. SUSTA can also provide 50 percent cost share/reimbursement for export marketing expenses.
Companies are required to submit a marketing plan and complete financial forms for payment. Coco said the agency has inbound trade missions and sellers meet with potential customers. AHMI was scheduled to participate in late March with a group from Vietnam who were in North Carolina.
Automation Progress In 2026
Four companies provided details on ways manufacturers can improve efficiency in 2026:
Peter McCarty of TS Manufacturing explained that new processing equipment can improve the volume of lumber in packs. TS has perfected a system that sorts boards based on pack widths and has increased volume as much as 10 percent. McCarty said this increases footage in kilns and shipments.
Bob Arnold of USNR discussed automated grading systems and improvements in recent months. The company continues to add units at Appalachian sawmills while fine tuning image samples.
Arnold reported that installation and startup time has been reduced substantially. Many customers are sharing data and operation details.
Scott Stringer of DMSi explained key changes in software development. The company has launched artificial intelligence in its software to help sales teams gain time and accuracy in orders.
The AI Sales Agent helps both outside and inside sales teams improve efficiency. Stringer added other developments in timber and lumber inventory programs. These save valuable time for multiple levels in any company.
Stiles Inc.’s Chuck Carter said wage inflation in manufacturing has accelerated while productivity remains constant for many companies. He noted plants now pay 30-40 percent more than pre-pandemic wages for machine operators.
“Automation allows production with fewer operators, improved yield and throughput, and reduced injury risk,” Carter said. Stiles provides a host of solutions for feeding, stacking and ripping operations with payback in as little as two years.
AHMI Group Health, Retirement Programs
Delta Wealth explained its IRS Section 125 wellness benefit options for AHMI member companies. The program provides screening, and educational classes to improve health.
It is funded through tax savings for both the employee and employer which can amount to thousands of dollars annually.
UBS Wealth Management explained the AHMI 401k Multiple Employee Program that offers retirement planning and investment accounts. AHMI companies have more than $40 million invested.
Annual Business & Board Elections
The AHMI Annual Meeting offered reports on promotions, membership and finances. The association will emphasize Certified Appalachian and expand outreach to secondary manufacturers.
The AHMI Nominating Committee reported its slate of 2026-27 officers and trustees. The following were approved by the membership:
Chairman: Scott Cummings, Cummings Lumber Co. Inc., Troy, PA
Vice Chairman: Jamie Coleman, Robert S. Coleman Lumber, Culpeper, VA
Past Chair: Roy Zangari, Meadow River Hardwood Lumber, Rainelle, WV
Vice Chair Finance: Tony Honeycutt, Mullican Flooring LP, Johnson City, TN
Trustees
Nick Boyles, AFP Lumber, Buckhannon, WV first term
Monty Burnett, Smith Mtn. Lumber, Huddleston, VA first term
Jeff Gowder, Southern Forest Products, Appalachia, VA
Wayne Law, New River Hardwoods, Mountain City, TN first term
Andy Nuffer, RAM Forest Products, Shinglehouse, PA
Patrick Parton, Parton Lumber Co., Rutherfordton, NC
Joe Pryor, Oaks Unlimited Inc., Waynesville, NC
John Pysh, Pennsylvania Hardwoods, Pleasantville, PA
Ray White, Jr., Harold White Lumber, Inc., Morehead, KY
Distributor
Geoff Hillenmeyer, Middle Tennessee Lumber, Burns, TN first term
Mark Vollinger, W.M. Cramer Lumber Co., Hickory, NC
Jia Zheng, ATI International, Roanoke, VA first term
Consumer
Bob Dudek, Conestoga Wood Specialties, East Earl, PA first term
Forestry
Chris Osborne, Kentucky River Properties, Hazard, KY
Sporting Events Winners
AHMI 2026 Annual Meeting sporting events were fun for participants. The winners were:
Friday Golf: Low Gross – 1st Sawyer McCarty; 2nd Peter McCarty;
Low Net – 1st Jeff Gowder; 2nd Paul Zheng
Closest to the Pin #4 – Matthew Burnette
Closest to the Pin #17 – John Pysh
Long Drive – Justin Tanner
Saturday golf team play: 1st place – Jeff Gowder and Matthew Burnette; 2nd place – Peter and Sawyer McCarty
Fishing Tournament: Most Fish – Robert Wagner; Largest Fish – Will Parton
Croquet: 1st place – Matt Guiterrez and Jia Zheng
Early Bird Prize: Roy Zangari
The AHMI 2026 Summer Conference is planned for August 1-4 at Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, VA. More details will be announced soon. Visit appalachianhardwood.org.
