Memphis, Tennessee— Roman Matyushchenko recently taught 11 students in the National Hardwood Lumber Association Inspector Training School Class No. 196, held here at the headquarters for the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA). A native of Russia, he began in the hardwood industry in 2007 and worked his way up to his current position at NHLA: instructor and associate dean of education.
Matyushchenko has always enjoyed learning new languages. He began learning English when he was 12. Matyushchenko now speaks Russian, English and German fluently.
He began his career in the hardwood industry as a Quality Manager for AVA Company in Russia. He attended the NHLA Inspector Training School in Elkins, West Virginia in 2008 and graduated as the top student in his class.
NHLA hired Matyushchenko in 2013 as an International Inspector, which involved traveling in China, Vietnam, and Malaysia for lumber inspection and lumber grading workshops. In 2019, Matyushchenko moved to the U.S. to become the Associate Dean of the NHLA Inspector Training School.
In the Fall of 2020, he also became the Instructor of the NHLA Inspector Training School. Matyushchenko says one of the reasons he enjoys his position as Instructor is the reward of seeing each student develop and grow as they learn the hardwood grading skills, knowing this is their pathway to a solid career. These skills are crucial for success as a Hardwood Lumber Inspector, as well as working in the industry, in general, he said. Students often reach back out to Matyushchenko to touch base and let him know how well they are doing after graduation.
Matyushchenko may be reached at r.matyushchenko@nhla.com or at 901-399-7569.
