Dr. Borjen “BJ” Yeh has been named the 2024 Bronson J. Lewis Award honoree. Now in its 19th year, the award recognizes individuals for their leadership and outstanding contributions to the engineered wood industry. Yeh received the award September 30 at the APA Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. The award honors the late Bronson Lewis, who served as secretary and executive vice president of APA – The Engineered Wood Association for 24 years.
With over 34 years at APA, Yeh’s contributions are highly regarded across the industry. Since 2003, he has served as director of APA’s Technical Services Division, representing APA, its members and the industry in over 25 countries.
Thanks to Yeh’s efforts, APA member products are recognized in domestic and international codes and standards for their performance and quality. He played a key role in developing APA Product Reports, an industry-recognized tool that enables building professionals to verify product compliance with national, international and industry standards. This initiative greatly enhanced both the visibility and acceptance of members’ products.
He is a recipient of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International’s Award of Merit, the highest award granted by ASTM to an individual member for distinguished service and outstanding participation in ASTM International committee activities. Yeh also received the ASTM’s L.J. Markwardt Award in 2006.
For decades Yeh has represented APA, its members and the industry on numerous boards and committees. He has served as chair of the ASTM D07.02 Subcommittee on Lumber and Engineered Wood Products, chair of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) A369 Technical Committee on Wood-Based Panels, and as the secretariat for ANSI Standards Committees for glulam, structural insulated panels, engineered wood siding, engineered wood rim boards and cross-laminated timber.
He earned his master’s degree at Iowa State University and Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley. He is also a registered professional engineer in Washington state and an active member of several technical committees and professional societies in the U.S., Canada and internationally.
“BJ has been a relentless advocate for APA, our members and the entire industry. It is with great pride that we honor him with this year’s Bronson Lewis Award—there is truly no one more deserving,” said APA President Mark Tibbetts. “His dedication, expertise and extraordinary contributions have shaped not only APA but also our entire industry, leaving an indelible legacy that will inspire and endure.”
About APA – The Engineered Wood Association
Founded in 1933 and based in Tacoma, Washington, APA represents about 175 plywood, oriented strand board, glulam timber, wood I-joist, rim board, cross-laminated timber and structural composite lumber mills throughout North America. Its primary functions are quality auditing and testing, applied research and market support and development. www.apawood.org.
