This past November, the North American Wholesale Lumber Association (NAWLA) welcomed forest products industry professionals to Columbus, Ohio, for its 2023 Traders Market event. Featuring top-notch education, unparalleled networking opportunities and a tradeshow like no other, the three-day annual event was one for the books.
Officially kicking off on Wednesday, Nov. 8, NAWLA members were able to take part in in-person committee meetings and member-exclusive 10-Group meetups throughout the day. Once wrapped, all conference attendees were invited to an opening reception in which they could toast to the start of the event and network with one another.
On the second day of the conference, attendees were able to take part in a new birds of a feather networking event.
Set up as informal discussions designed to promote community growth and safe spaces for industry professionals of all levels and backgrounds, participants were able to converse on common topics such as leadership and mentoring, people management, recruiting and onboarding the next generation, customer relationships, industry promotion, sustainability and more.
Following the first networking opportunity of the day, attendees were then able to hear from Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, on the current and future outlook of the lumber construction economy and how this outlook may impact their businesses.
During the keynote luncheon, former National Football League (NFL) journalist and sports media trailblazer Ashley Fox shared stories from her time as an on-air NFL analyst at ESPN and tips for extracting peak performance through motivation. Attendees also learned how to not only lead by example but also how to inspire through incentives, delegate to empower, communicate to engender trust and prioritize the minutiae.
After a morning and early afternoon of learning, attendees were then able to explore the tradeshow floor and connect with 222 exhibitors, as well as take part in a meet-and-greet with two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin before rounding out the day with a networking reception.
The third and final day of the conference was dedicated to networking with exhibitors on the tradeshow floor, in which attendees were able to have brunch with representatives from various companies as well as one another before heading home. This day was also the day NAWLA welcomed Columbus-area high school students to the convention center to learn about careers in the lumber industry and experience the tradeshow floor firsthand.
In total, NAWLA welcomed over 1,300 national and international industry professionals to Columbus for another great event. “This year’s Traders Market event was a great success for NAWLA,” says Judy Haney, NAWLA Traders Market Committee chair. “NAWLA was able to provide an inclusive space for professionals across all areas of the industry — wholesale, manufacturing and service — to connect with one another, build lasting relationships and partnerships, and learn about the latest best practices for their businesses.”
Be sure to mark your calendars to join NAWLA next fall for the 2024 Traders Market, taking place Nov. 13-15, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. Attendees, as well as prospective exhibitors and sponsors, are encouraged to watch the NAWLA website (nawla.org/events/tradersmarket ) for details about next year’s exhibitions, education sessions and networking opportunities.
Bob Uglow and Olga Becker, Baillie Lumber, Hamburg, NY; Chelsea Zuccato, Patrick Lumber Co., Portland, OR; and Ryan Brunner, Baillie Lumber
Kevin May, Riley Tough, Scott Lindsay, Alex Lindsay and Kent Beveridge, Skana Forest Products Ltd., Richmond, BC
Steve Gendron, Porcupine Wood Products Ltd., Salmo, BC; Dan Griffiths, Arjun Gill and Jameson Craig, Fraserview Cedar Products Ltd., Surrey, BC
Jim Vandegrift, Bennett Lumber Products Inc., Princeton, ID; Dennis Badesheim, Idaho Timber LLC, Meridian, ID; Kris Page, F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co., Columbia Falls, MT; John Gardner, Retired, Triad Forest Products Ltd., Delta, BC; and John Bolles, F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co.
Dave Sangara, Leslie Forest Products Ltd., Delta, BC; and Aidan Coyles, Gilbert Smith Forest Products Ltd., Barriere, BC
Georgia Saraceno and Jared Hensley, Rosboro, Springfield, OR; and Ryan Hackbarth, Flexpak Corp., Bend, OR
Brett Johnson, Dakeryn Industries Ltd., North Vancouver, BC; Elijah Freeman and Sam Barranco, Tampa International Forest Products LLC., Portland, OR; Kody Miller, Pat Way, Idaho Forest Group, Coeur D Alene, ID; Ed Langley, Neiman Reed Lumber Co., Panorama City, CA; and James Mortimer, Idaho Forest Group
David Warford, Specialty Building Products, Duluth, GA; Aaron Schulte, Matt Duprey and Jack Bowen, Hancock Lumber, Casco, ME; Jeff Easterling, Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Assoc., Cumberland, ME
Matt Sanderson, NAWLA, Chicago, IL.; Matt Bruno, new executive director of NAWLA, Chicago, IL; Steven Rustja, NAWLA Chairman and Weston Forest Products Inc., Mississauga, ON; Mark Swets, NAWLA Chicago, IL
Matt Sanderson, NAWLA, Chicago, IL.; Matt Bruno, new executive director of NAWLA, Chicago, IL; Steven Rustja, NAWLA Chairman and Weston Forest Products Inc., Mississauga, ON; Mark Swets, NAWLA Chicago, IL
Morgan Wellens, Nicholson and Cates Limited, Burlington, ON; Kalayna Crook, Patrick Lumber Company, Portland OR; Alyson McLaughlin, Flagship Forest Products, Brighton ME; Steve Rhone, Weston Forest Products Inc., Mississauga, ON; and Chris Fehr, Softwood Forest Products Buyer, Erie, PA
Alden Robbins, Robbins Lumber Inc., Searsmont, ME; Kent Beveridge, Skana Forest Products Ltd., Richmond, BC; Grant Phillips, Wildwood Trading Group, Tualatin, OR; David Destiche, Amerhart Limited, Green Bay, WI; and Warren Reeves, Wholesale Wood Products Inc., Dothan, AL
Jay Hilsenbeck and Chris Leslie, Arxada LLC, Alpharetta, GA
Max Livingston, Lauren Holm and Mike Holm, Oregon-Canadian Forest Products Inc., North Plains, OR
James Workman, Kelcee Hallstrom, Nate Lively and Taylor Dowdy, Zip-O-Log Mills Inc., Eugene, OR
Brett Bleichrodt, Collins, Littleton, CO; Dean Johnson and Cami Waner, Collins, Wilsonville, OR; Paul Grabarek, Forest City Trading Group LLC, Portland, OR; Tessa DeHart, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR; Bob Maeda, Freres Engineered Wood, Lyons, OR; Joe LaBerge, Collins, Wilsonville, OR; and Kendall Conroy and Chris Knowles, Timber Products Company, Springfield, OR
Allison DeFord, North American Forest Foundation, Collierville, TN; and Konstantin Posherstnik, Forest Products Distributors Inc., Rapid City, SD
Robert Guy, Goodfellow Inc., Delson, QC; Lauren Holm, Oregon-Canadian Forest Products Inc., North Plains, OR; Stephanie Paulin and Jocelyne Richard, Goodfellow Inc.; and Max Livingston, Oregon-Canadian Forest Products Inc.
Dominik Belzer, Brunner-Hildebrand Lumber Dry Kiln Co., Nashville, TN; Jim Olson, Lasalle Lumber Company LLC., Ruston, LA; and Jos Aan De Stegge, Brunner-Hildebrand Lumber Dry Kiln Co.
Barry Hodgkin, DMSi Software, Saco, ME; Jordan Lynch, DMSi Software, Omaha, NE; and Warren Reeves, Wholesale Wood Products, Dothan, AL; Anthony Muck and Mike Limas, DMSi Software, Omaha, NE
Christian Gilbert, JD Irving Forest Products, Saint John, NB; Chris McSwain, Idaho Timber, Lake City, FL; and Madison Roy, Adam Connolly and Hugh Orser, JD Irving Forest Products
Adam Connolly, JD Irving Forest Products, Saint John, NB; Kurt Stuckey, Wholesale Wood Products, Birmingham, AL; and Tom Latham, Tri-State Forest Products Inc., Springfield, OH
Daniel Libolt, Pat Lynch, Alicia Powell, Kendall Conroy and Kevin Smith, Timber Products, Springfield, OR
Chris Barber, Kop-Coat, Pittsburg, PA; Todd Davis, International Wood Products LLC., Clackamas, OR; and Bo Hammond and Josiah Wilfong, Kop-Coat
Tim Stovall, Bright Wood Corp., Madras, OR; Matt Duprey, Hancock Lumber Co., Casco, ME; Christy Hollenback and Scott Hill, Bright Wood Corp.; Jack Bowen, Hancock Lumber Co.; and Zach Miller, Softwood Forest Products Buyer, Memphis, TN
Kirk Soule, Blue Book Services, Carol Stream, IL; Chris Fehr, Softwood Forest Products Buyer, Erie, PA; and Trent Johnson, Blue Book Services
Leslie Southwick, Matt Johnson and Lee Greene Jr., C & D Lumber Co., Riddle, OR; Kalayna Crook, Cam Stevens, Chelsea Zuccato and Thomas Compa, Patrick Lumber Co., Portland, OR
Ed Langley, Neiman Reed Lumber Co., Panorama City, CA; Larry Schmedding, Empire Lumber Co., Spokane, WA; Rick Palmiter, BPWood Ltd., Harrison, ID; Christy Hollenback, Bright Wood Corporation, Madras, OR; and Mike Engen, Tri-State Forest Products, Springfield, OH
Mike Taron, Elk Creek Forest Products, McMinnville, OR; Keith Pruden, Warren Trask Co., Lakeville, MA.; Brett Slaughter, Elk Creek Forest Products; Harold Dodero, Sierra Pacific Industries, Redding, CA; and Mark Kelly, Rick Yonke, Kevin Grindy and Steve Snyder, Elk Creek Forest Products
Dan Edwards, Western Lumber Company LLC., Medford, OR; Jason Hatfield, Falcon Lumber Limited, Toronto, ON; and Alex and Bryan Darrah, Durgin and Crowell Lumber Co., New London, NH
Rich Mills, Hood Industries, Hattiesburg, MS; Michael Elliott and Scott Lyons, Boise Cascade Wood Products, Boise, ID; and AJ Webb, Hood Industries
Bob Pope, SII Dry Kilns, Montpelier, VT; Steve Adelman, American Timber and Steel, Norwalk, OH; and Brian Turlington and Ken Matthews, SII Dry Kilns
Brad Kirkbride, Western Red Cedar Lumber Assoc., Corvallis, OR; Max Jones and Ryan Furtado, Furtado Forest Products, Vancouver, BC; Meghan Kavelman and Jay Poppe, Western Red Cedar Lumber Assoc., Vancouver, BC; and Steve Boyd, Manufacturers Reserve Supply, Irvington, NJ
Nate Henderson, Klumb Forest Products, Greenville, TN; Win Smith, Robbins Lumber Inc., East Baldwin, ME; Gil Adams, Warren Trask, Lakeville, MA; Philip Humphreys, Klumb Forest Products; Nicole Cappetta, Robbins Lumber Inc., Sanford, ME; Jim and Alden Robbins and James Webb, Robbins Lumber Inc., Searsmont, ME
Jeremy Cooley, Compass Building Products, Marietta, GA; Jocelyn Gilbert and Daniel Laplante, Groupe Lebel, Montreal, QC; and Tony Saad and Mak Mahmoudi, Groupe Lebel, Laval, QC
Ryan Satterfield, Cersosimo Lumber Company, Brattleboro, VT; Jessica Kennedy, Prime Forest Products LLC., Beaverton, OR; Nate Lively, Zip-O-Log Mills Inc., Eugene, OR; and Jeff Hardy, Cersosimo Lumber Company
Andy Duke, Riley Rausch and Phil Schumock, Stella-Jones Inc., Tacoma, WA
Rabel Roberts, Hampton Lumber, Portland, OR.; Terry Ratkovsky, Goodfellow Inc., Toronto, ON; and Griffin Augustin, Trans-Pacific Trading, Richmond, BC
Dave Sangara and Cory Shiyoji, Leslie Forest Products, Delta, BC; Jason Mann, Probyn Group, New Westminster, BC; and James Sangara and (seated) Ron Sangara, Leslie Forest Products
Mike Klein, Craig Szymczak and Mike Smith, Tri-State Forest Products Inc., Edwardsburg, MI; Veronique Petit, Francis Richard and Albert Renaud, Nordic Structures, Montreal, QC; Bill Sweeney, Coastal Forest Products, Bedford, NH; and Joe Hanas, Nordic Structures
Kiel Miller, The Teal-Jones Group, Plain Dealing, LA; Cam Stevens, Patrick Lumber Co., Portland, OR; Lydia Wrien, Specialty Building Products, North Jackson, OH; Andy Wood, The Teal-Jones Group, Surrey, BC; Annika Coffelt, Specialty Building Products; Mary Diggs, BNSF Railway, Fort Worth, TX; and Art Barker, The Teal-Jones Group, Surrey, BC
Brian Benson, Neiman Enterprises Inc., Hulett, WY; Troy Lundquist, Silvaris Corporation, Bellevue, WA; Cameron Facer, Silvaris Corporation, Toronto, ON; and John McPartland, Neiman Enterprises
Erick Sykora, Forest Products Distributors, Rapid City, SD; Juliana Perez-Madrid, BNSF Railway, Fort Worth, TX; Ridge Sandal, Forest Products Distributors; Mike Stevens, Neiman Enterprises Inc., Hulett, WY; and Douglas Bates, Forest Products Distributors
Gabriel Zeiger, David Whitlow and Monty Falb, Cook County Lumber Co., Chicago, IL; and Bobby Byrd, RoyOMartin, Alexandria, LA
Jeff Storms, Weekes Forest Products, Saint Paul, MN; Tyler Sharpe, Weston Wood Solutions, Brampton, ON; Tim Schory, Weekes Forest Products, Comstock Park, MI; and Edward Acker, Weston Wood Solutions
Court Robinson and Chad Hammonds, Robinson Lumber Company, New Orleans, LA; and Joel Lambert and Steve Cheatham, Everwood Preserving, Inc., Spanish Fort, AL
Nancy Tuck, Christopher Sackett and Kelsey Kennedy, Gates Milling, Gatesville, NC; and Doug Barton, Western Lumber Company LLC, Medford, OR
Mark Swinth and Tayler Slaughter, Elk Creek Forest Products, McMinnville, OR; Jeff Law and Rick Stoltz, Tolko Marketing and Sales, Vernon, BC; and Tom La Tour and Morgan Wellens, Nicholson and Cates Limited, Burlington, ON
Doug Miller, Westwood Lumber Sales Inc., New Haven, IN; Garth Williams, Mason Anderson, Jerrett Long, Pat Way and Kody Miller, Idaho Forest Group LLC, Coeur d’Alene, ID
Kip Anderson, Noelia Cross, James Russell and Mark Peaden, U-C Coatings LLC, Buffalo, NY; Hal Mitchell, Atlanta Hardwood Corporation, Mableton, GA; John Stenson, U-C Coatings LLC, Buffalo, NY; Steve Anderson, U-C Coatings LLC, Portland, OR; and Dave Sondel, U-C Coatings LLC, Buffalo, NY
Alex Beyer, Lauren Theriot and Steve Firko, PLMI, Philadelphia, PA
Hugh John McDonald, 3Wood, Greenville, TX; Thomas Owens, Pollmeier Massivholz, Little Rock, AR; Denise Wilson, Pollmeier Massivholz, Wichita, KS; and Joey Edwards and Trent Tucker, 3Wood
Paul Ericson, Disdero Lumber Co., Chehalis, WA; Alicia Powell, Timber Products Company, Springfield, OR; Gunnar Brinck, Disdero Lumber Co., Clackamas, OR; and Kendall Conroy, Timber Products Company
Adam Hazelwood, Ryan Hagen, Andy Johal, Suki Sanghera, Addison Ross and Jim Brindle, San Group Inc., Langley, BC
Rick Palmiter, BPWood Ltd., Harrison, ID; Joshua Kaye, American Lumber Co. Inc., Walden, NY; Jessica Kennedy, Prime Forest Products LLC, Beaverton, OR; Chris Bouchard, BPWood Ltd., Penticton, BC; and Martin Jolicoeur, BPWood Ltd., Coronel, Chile
Chuck Reagin and Bill Hurst, Specialty Building Products Inc., Duluth, GA; Ben Meachen, Orepac Building Products, Wilsonville, OR; Gavy Gosal and Anna McNally, Western Forest Products Inc., Vancouver, BC; and Jessica Ammons, Specialty Building Products Inc.
Kris Long, Atlanta Hardwood Corporation, Mableton, GA; Claus Staalner, American Wood Technology LLC, Jefferson, GA; Dean Miller, Atlanta Hardwood Corporation, Mableton, GA; Bror Moldrup, IWT-MOLDRUP, Vejle, Denmark; and Hal Mitchell, Atlanta Hardwood Corporation, Mableton, GA
Steve Spears, Taylor Machine Works Inc., Louisville, KY; Matthew Woodbury, Taylor Machine Works Inc., Columbus, OH; and Bill Price, All Star Forest Products Inc., Jackson, MS
Bill Price, All Star Forest Products Inc., Jackson, MS; Clark Spitzer, Snavely Forest Products, Pittsburgh, PA; Lori Byrd, RoyOMartin Lumber Co. LLC, Alexandria, LA; Carl Lamb, Snavely Forest Products; and David Destiche, Amerhart Limited, Green Bay, WI
Harris Gant, ECMD Inc., North Wilkesboro, NC; Alden Robbins, Robbins Lumber Inc., Searsmont, ME; Rob Hruby, Weston Forest Products Inc., Mississauga, ON; and Scott Elston, Forest City Trading Group LLC, Portland, OR
Brad Kirkbride, WRCLA, Bend, OR; Meghan Kavelman, WRCLA, Nanaimo, BC; and Jay Poppe, WRCLA, Vancouver, BC
Tyson Palmer, Pacific Western Wood Works Ltd., Delta, BC; Shane Harsch, Woodtone, Chilliwack, BC; and Dennis Wight, Pacific Western Wood Works Ltd.
Brett Slaughter, Elk Creek Forest Products LLC, McMinnville, OR; Rob Rowe, Pacific Wood Laminates Inc., Brookings, OR; Danny Osborne, South Coast Lumber Co., Brookings, OR; Amy Monson, J.M. Thomas Forest Products, Ogden, UT; and Emily Beckley, South Coast Lumber Co.
Mike Randle and Jeremy Cooley, Compass Building Products Inc., Marietta, GA; Dennis Mazorra and Charles Jourdain, Humboldt Sawmill Company LLC, Scotia, CA; Cecil Higby, Bowers Forest Products Inc., Beavercreek, OR; and Jason Faulkner, Humboldt Sawmill Company LLC, Ukiah, CA
Connie Baker, Kristie McCurdy and Lori Byrd, RoyOMartin Lumber Co. LLC, Alexandria, LA; Jim McGinnis III, The McGinnis Lumber Company Inc., Meridian, MS; and Kelly Matthews, RoyOMartin Lumber Co. LLC
Russ Gold, Wildwood Trading Group, Tualatin, OR; Danny Osborne, South Coast Lumber Co., Brookings, OR; Jake Moriniti, Wildwood Trading Group; Emily Beckley, South Coast Lumber Co.; and Rob Rowe, Pacific Wood Laminates Inc., Brookings, OR
Jameson Craig, Fraserview Cedar Products Ltd., Surrey, BC; and Rob Reed, Hood Industries Inc., Hattiesburg, MS
Hector Dimas, Boise Cascade BMD LLC, Boise, ID; and Chris Bailey and Tyson Pedracini, Woodgrain Lumber & Composites, Meridian, ID
Darren Barker, West Bay Forest Products Ltd., Langley, BC; Peter Alexander, Holden Humphrey Company, Chicopee, MA; Chad Findlay, West Bay Forest Products Ltd.; and Lance Humphrey, Holden Humphrey Company
Jeremy Pitts, Nyle Dry Kilns, Lenoir, NC; Aaron Schulte, Hancock Lumber Company, Casco, ME; Ingo Wallocha, Nyle Dry Kilns, Brewer, ME; and Jason Goodman, U-C Coatings LLC, Buffalo, NY
Philip Lamoureux, Stella-Jones Corporation, Saint-Laurent, QC; Bob Mai, PotlatchDeltic Corporation, Spokane, WA; Michel Auclair, Stella-Jones Corporation, Montreal, QC; Mike Flynn, Joe Angelo and Pete Adkins, PotlatchDeltic Corporation; and Dave Powell, Mauk Midwest Forest Products Inc., Bay City, MI
Jeff Bowers and Cassidy Bowers, Bowers Forest Products Inc., Beavercreek, OR; and Hanna Smith, Wildwood Trading Group, Colville, WA
Mark Rodakowski, Prime Forest Products LLC, Beaverton, OR; and Preston Johnson, Patrick Lumber Company, Portland, OR
Ryan Kline, Disdero Lumber Co., Clackamas, OR; Jim Vandergrift, Bennett Lumber Products Inc., Princeton, ID; Tyson Sands, Disdero Lumber Co.; and Kirk Todish, Bennett Lumber Products Inc.
Bill Bull, UFP Industries Inc., Dothan, AL; Jim Olson, LaSalle Lumber Company LLC, Ruston, LA; Nikole Robbins, UFP Industries Inc., Lansing, MI; Chad Jourdan, UFP Industries Inc., Union City, GA; Robbie Temple, LaSalle Lumber Company LLC; and Eric Skinner, UFP Industries Inc., Fort Worth, TX
Katherine Pederson and Ryan Sweeney, Allweather Wood LLC, Washougal, WA; Brad Flitton, Western Forest Products Inc., Vancouver, BC; and Laurie Creech, Humboldt Sawmill Company LLC/Allweather Wood LLC, Washougal, WA
Karlie Ebert, PPG Industries Inc., Cranberry Township, PA; Rindy Learn, PPG Industries Inc., Pittsburgh, PA; Britney Grabigel, PPG Industries Inc., Springdale, PA; Bill Reynolds, PPG Industries Inc., Evansville, IN; and William Ramos, PPG Industries Inc., Tulsa, OK
Tyson Pedracini and Johnny Wilford, Woodgrain Lumber, Meridian, ID; Rick Engebretsen, Teton West Colorado LLC., Fort Collins, CO; and Chris Bailey, Woodgrain Lumber
Chris and Allia Schofer, JH Huscroft Ltd., Creston, BC; Terry Miller, The Softwood Forest Products Buyer, Memphis, TN; and Shayna and Justin Storm, JH Huscroft Ltd.
Gavy Gosal, Western Forest Products Inc., Vancouver, BC; Anthony Muck and Jordan Lynch, DMSi Software, Omaha, NE; and Kent Beveridge, Skana Forest Products Ltd., Richmond, BC
Chris and Allia Schofer, JH Huscroft Ltd., Creston, BC; Terry Miller, The Softwood Forest Products Buyer, Memphis, TN; and Shayna and Justin Storm, JH Huscroft Ltd.