Culpeper Wood Preservers Expands Sales Force
Caroline Butler
Culpeper Wood Preservers, located in Culpeper, VA, recently expanded their sales force by welcoming Caroline Butler, Avarie Powell and James Tanner as outside sales representatives, and Patrick Glaze as account manager.
Culpeper Wood Preservers is a manufacturer of pressure-treated wood products designed for various applications, including residential, commercial and marine projects.
Avarie Powell
Butler joins Culpeper after years of experience in sales. She is currently working out of the company’s Coleridge office, where she is involved in the operational side of the business, as well as outside sales. She graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. She enjoys playing lacrosse, pickleball and tennis, as well as running and reading. She has a four-year-old Chihuahua/Terrier mix that accompanies her on her walks/runs.
James Tanner
Powell joins Culpeper after serving as an account executive in technology sales. In her new role as outside sales representative, she will manage client relationships while driving business growth and development. Powell previously held an internship with Culpeper during college and has been close to the forest products industry most of her life as her father, Jim Powell, has been with Culpeper for 27 years.
Powell graduated from Miami University in Oxford, OH, and attended Farmer School of Business. She also participated in the Orr Fellowship’s two-year post graduate program. Powell enjoys baking sourdough bread, working out, photography, traveling and discovering new cultures and cuisines.
Patrick Glaze
Tanner joined Culpeper two years ago as a forklift driver and was recently promoted to outside sales representative. He studied Agriculture and Technology at Virginia Tech. In his free time, Tanner enjoys farming, golfing and being outdoors.
Glaze recently started at Culpeper and oversees inside sales and sales support as account manager. In his position he assists with quotes and orders. Before joining the Culpeper team, Glaze worked as a yacht broker. He studied Business Management at Virginia Tech and attended Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business.
In his spare time, Glaze enjoys golfing, boating and fishing. He is engaged to Abigail Tanner, and they are set to be married at the beginning of June.
For more information, visit culpeperwood.com.
Elk Creek Forest Products: Exclusive Buse Mill Company Sales Agent
Elk Creek Forest Products’ sales team pictured here.
Elk Creek Forest Products, located in McMinnville, OR, announced that they are the exclusive sales agent for Buse Mill Company. An agreement between the two companies marks a significant partnership as Buse Mill Company, having ceased operations as Buse Timber & Sales in 2024, resumes manufacturing high-quality lumber products that will be marketed by Elk Creek Forest Products.
“We are thrilled to partner with Buse as they restart production,” said Brett Slaughter, president of Elk Creek Forest Products. “This collaboration strengthens our ability to provide our customers with an even more consistent and reliable supply of top-quality lumber while also supporting the local economy and job creation in the region.”
Located in Everett, WA, since 1946, Buse has long been known for its commitment to producing premium lumber. With this reopening, the mill is set to resume producing the same high-quality lumber products, like FOHC timbers, transmission crossarms, industrial clears and structural lumber.
For more information, visit elkcreekforest.com.
Humboldt Sawmill Company Welcomes Matthew Slack
Matthew Slack
Humboldt Sawmill Company, located in Scotia, CA, recently welcomed Matthew Slack as their new product sales line manager. Humboldt Sawmill is a manufacturer of Redwood and Douglas Fir. Slack’s office location is in Ukiah, CA.
In his new position, Slack manages mill-direct sales for both Humboldt Sawmill Company and Mendocino Forest Products Company. This includes new market development, sales and inventory control for a diverse mix of products, from 2×2 balusters up to 12×20 timbers. Slack and Jason Faulkner, vice president of Mill Sales, are traveling throughout the U.S. reintroducing the company’s premium Redwood and Douglas Fir product lines to new and existing customers alike.
Slack started at Agwood Mill & Lumber at the age of 20, and worked his way through the mill, starting as a chain puller and a forklift driver. He worked almost every position in the mill. He then went on to learn sales and eventually took on a lot of the program business and larger customers for Agwood. He also worked as Agwood’s plant manager, gaining responsibility for the entire sawmill, log yard and maintenance. When Agwood merged with Conrad Forest Products, Slack shifted his focus to production and maintenance and gained a seat on the board of directors for Conrad Forest Products.
Slack earned his high school diploma from Redlands Adult School in California and studied at Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa, CA.
Slack enjoys camping and hunting, as well as spending time in nature. He is also a member of the Black Bart Hoo-Hoo #181.
He has been married to Laura Sparso for 17 years and has two sons, an 11 and 16-year-old.
For more information, call 707-463-5132, email mslack@mendoco.com, or visit getredwood.com.
Idaho Timber Announces Ryan Kotter As New Sales Representative
Idaho Timber recently announced the promotion of Ryan Kotter to sales representative at their Boise Idaho Production Facility.
The Boise plant produces Hem Fir and Douglas Fir & Larch in 2×4 through 2×12, 8-feet through 20-feet, all grades including premium, standard PET stud lengths, Industrial stock, custom trim PET studs and jobsite direct shipments.
Kotter has been with Idaho Timber for two and a half years. He started on the green chain stacking lumber and then moved on to machine operator. He continued to advance up the line and became a production forklift driver, before moving into shipping and receiving. Kotter became supervisor over shipping and receiving, prior to his promotion to the trading floor.
Kotter attended Columbia High School in Nampa, ID. He is currently attending Brigham Young University – Idaho online. He is set to graduate with a degree in Business Administration at the end of the 2026 winter term.
In his free time, Kotter enjoys playing and coaching basketball, pickleball, golf and shooting guns. He also loves spending time with his family.
For more information, call Kotter at 208-345-1202, email rkotter@idahotimber.com or visit idahotimber.com.
Leadership Changes At Hunt Forest Products And Lasalle/Bienville Lumber LLC
Tony Butler
Hunt Forest Products and LaSalle/Bienville Lumber LLC, joint enterprises fully owned by Hunt Forest Products of Ruston, LA, and Tolko Industries of Vernon, BC, Canada, recently announced the retirement of Tony Butler and the promotions of Jim Olson and Robbie Temple.
Jim Olson
Butler, sales manager at Hunt Forest Products since 2015, will retire in May after 42 years in the wood products industry. For the next few months, he will assist with Hunt Forest Products Transportation and Logistics team.
Olson was promoted to vice president of sales, marketing and transportation. In his new capacity, Olson will oversee the sales, marketing and transportation of products manufactured at Hunt Forest Products, including plywood from Pollock, LA, and hardwood lumber from Olla, LA, as well as production from LaSalle Lumber in Olla, LA, and Bienville Lumber in Taylor, LA.
Robbie Temple
With over 40 years of experience and a proven track record in wood product sales, encompassing Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) lumber, plywood, OSB, engineered wood products and treated lumber, Olson has demonstrated expertise and leadership capabilities. He has spent the last six years with LaSalle/Bienville as the SYP lumber sales manager.
Temple was promoted to sales manager for SYP lumber. He will oversee sales for LaSalle Lumber in Olla, LA, and Bienville Lumber in Taylor, LA. With over 23 years of experience, including the last three and a half years with LaSalle/Bienville, Temple previously served as assistant sales manager SYP lumber.
For more information, visit lasallelumber.com or bienvillelumber.com.
Western Lumber Welcomes Tony Geiger as New Industrial Lumber Sales Manager
Tony Geiger
Western Lumber, based in Medford, OR, recently announced the appointment of Tony Geiger as their new industrial lumber sales manager. Geiger brings more than 20 years of experience in the wood products industry, offering a strong background in leadership, strategic sales and industry expertise.
Geiger’s career includes his tenure as general sales and purchasing manager at Boise Cascade, where he led a high-performing sales team and managed national purchasing contracts. His leadership in coordinating production and building key industry partnerships contributed to the company’s growth and success.
In addition, Geiger brings valuable experience from his time with the family business, Hawkeye Forest Products Inc., where his father-in-law, John Hawkinson, brought him into the industry. Geiger gained deep expertise in hardwood lumber sales from Hawkinson. His combined knowledge of both hardwood and industrial lumber markets will be instrumental in meeting the diverse needs of Western Lumber’s customers.
Geiger and his wife Jennifer are proud alumni of the University of Nebraska, where Geiger competed as a wrestler and Jennifer as a gymnast. They live in Idaho with their three sons and enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle, including mountain biking, wake boating, snowboarding and snowmobiling.
“With his strategic mindset, passion for excellence and collaborative leadership style, Tony is well-positioned to drive growth and innovation in his new role”, said a company representative. Geiger will be specializing in hardwoods, Pine, Fir and Cedar, to name a few.
For more information, visit westernlumber.com.
Boise Cascade – Building Materials Distribution Promotes Joanna Barney To Executive Vice President And Nathan Sikes To Senior Vice President Of Western Operations
Joanna Barney
Boise Cascade Company, based in Boise, ID, recently announced that Joanna Barney will be the new Executive Vice President of their Building Materials Distribution (BMD) division. And that Nathan Sikes will be the Senior Vice President of Western Operations for their BMD division.
Barney will oversee the company’s 40+ distribution facilities, including millwork and door shops, across the U.S.
Barney joined Boise Cascade in 2005. Prior to this promotion, she was the senior vice president of BMD Western Operations. Before that she served in several key roles and progressive leadership positions, including general manager of BMD Western Operations and branch manager for BMD’s Salt Lake City, UT, location. Barney earned a bachelor’s degree in business finance from the University of Utah. She is a two-time all-American athlete and the founder and executive director of the Utah Avalanche youth soccer club.
“Jo is an accomplished and inspirational leader who is committed to our company’s values,” said Jeff Strom, COO. “I’m excited to see the positive impact of her leadership, experience and ideas in this new role.”
Nate Jorgensen, CEO, said, “Jo has achieved significant accomplishments during her time at Boise Cascade, and she will be outstanding in this new role. She has a proven track record of living our values, providing strong leadership and delivering exceptional service to our customers and suppliers.”
Nathan Sikes
Sikes will be responsible for BMD’s facilities and door shops located in the Western and Pacific Regions.
Since joining Boise Cascade in 2006, Sikes has held a series of key roles and progressive leadership positions in the company’s BMD division. Most recently, he was the vice president of BMD sales and marketing. Before that he was the southwest region manager, branch manager, sales manager and general line product manager. Sikes earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. He serves on the board of directors for the Lumbermen’s Association of Texas.
“Nathan is a trusted, strategic leader with a reputation for developing talent and delivering results,” said Barney.
“He is an outstanding relationship builder who personifies our motto that our business is built on relationships. I am excited to see the positive impact he will have in this new role.”
Strom said, “Nathan has a proven track record of living our values and delivering exceptional service to our customers and suppliers. This promotion reflects his outstanding accomplishments and exceptional leadership.”
Boise Cascade is one of the largest producers of engineered wood products and plywood in North America and a leading U.S. wholesale distributor of building products.
For more information, visit the company’s website at bc.com.
Woodgrain Acquired Kelleher Corporation
Kelly Dame
Woodgrain, a leading manufacturer and distributor of millwork and building materials, is excited to announce the acquisition of Kelleher Corporation.
Kelleher Corporation specializes in the distribution of moulding, lumber and doors, serving customers in California, Nevada and Hawaii with warehouse facilities in Northern and Southern California, as well as Hawaii. The acquisition of Kelleher Corporation positions Woodgrain for significant growth in these key markets and is expected to bring enhanced service offerings, increased product availability and a continued commitment to quality.
Kelly Dame, president and CEO of Woodgrain stated, “Kelleher is a company that we have always admired. Being a family-owned business, Kelleher shares values that resonate deeply with Woodgrain, creating a strong foundation for collaboration, shared success and market growth.”
Todd Dame
“The Kelleher acquisition is a strategic move that aligns with our vertical integration strategy, strengthening our distribution network and enhancing our ability to meet increased customer demand in the pro dealer and home center channels,” commented Todd Dame, president of Woodgrain’s Distribution division.
Don Kelleher, CEO of Kelleher Corporation stated, “Our shared values, and Woodgrain being a family-owned business played an important role in this decision. We believe that Woodgrain will be a great fit for all the Kelleher employees, vendor partners and loyal customers.”
For more information visit woodgrain.com.
Compact Thermal Modification Plant And TMT-Certification System
Pictured is lumber after having gone through the unique Moldrup-TMT
hygrothermal process.
A new smaller compact unit for thermal modification has been developed by IWT-Moldrup for annual capacities of 500,000 board feet of wood annually and was also shown at the Ligna 2025 meeting in Hannover, Germany, for the first time. The plant can use the unique Moldrup-TMT hygrothermal process which is designed to reach temperatures of up to 235 C or 455 F, for both wet and dry processes. The Moldrup-TMT hygrothermal process has advantages in:
● cycle times of 23 hours or less
● less brittleness and redundancy
● 50 percent less energy consumption compared to other processes
● 50 percent or more Co2 reduction
● a wide range of treatment processes for softwood and hardwood, which have been adapted for end-use manufacturers
● optional emission control
IWT-Moldrup is also presenting its unique third-party certification system which is based on results. The certification is for Class 2, as well as 3.1 (typically cladding) and 3.2 (typically decking) applications to provide exact information on the actual properties of thermally modified timber to the end-users.
IWT-Moldrup is a family owned and operated company in the 2nd and 3rd generation and is the world-wide leading supplier of industrial wood protection equipment, processes and systems with offices in Singapore and Denmark and representation in the U.S.
For more information, visit moldrup.com and biobiowood.com.
Brunette Machinery Recently Introduced The Smart Shear Pin System
Kirk Forbes
Brunette Machinery, located in British Columbia, Canada, recently released the new Smart Shear Pin System for the Brunette Grizzly Mill Hog. According to Kirk Forbes, CEO, the Brunette Grizzly Mill Hog is considered to be the heavy weight champion of wood-waste grinders and can process Cedar bark, stringy bark, demolition debris and log butt ends into high-quality products suitable for hog fuel, mulch or biomass products.
The Grizzly Mill’s anvil and grate are shear pin protected, but contaminated feedstock, tramp metal or large rocks can damage even the most rugged machine resulting in emergency repairs, unscheduled downtime and production delays. In order to mitigate this problem, Brunette Machinery now offers the Smart Shear Pin System as an option for new and existing Grizzly Mills.
Pictured, the Smart Shear Pin system for the Brunette Grizzly Mill Hog.
The Smart Shear Pin system will eliminate the need for manual shear pin inspection. Each Smart Shear Pin has an internal sensor that detects damage, even invisible hairline fractures. The sensors continuously monitor the pins and send an instant alert when a crack or failure occurs. Factory-installed systems are paired with OEM software that will send alerts to a dashboard and the equipment automatically shuts down when a failure is detected. For retrofit Smart Shear Pin installations, individual pins are wired to a display box showing each pin’s status — either a green light (OK) or a red light (cracked/failed).
Forbes stated that the Smart Shear Pin System will maximize uptime, reduce costs on emergency repairs, improve safety and prevent accidents.
For more information, call 1-800-686-6679 or visit brunettemc.com.
SII Dry Kilns Expands Presence with New Western States Representative
SII Dry Kilns, located in Lexington, NC, a leading manufacturer in the kiln industry, announced the appointment of a new representative to cover the Western United States. This strategic decision is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance its service offerings and better serve its growing customer base across the country.
Heicor Enterprises, an experienced and well-established company based in Monmouth, OR, with a proven track record in the sales of lumber manufacturing equipment, will represent SII in the Western region.
“We are excited to expand our reach to the Western United States, and bringing on Heicor as our official representative in this region is an important step toward achieving that goal,” said Dan Mathews, Chairman of SII.
“This partnership will allow us to better serve the needs of our customers in the West and continue our growth across the nation. We are confident that Heicor will be an asset to our team and to our customers.”
Heicor Enterprises brings a wealth of experience in primary and secondary lumber manufacturing, having worked in the Western states since 2016. Their deep industry knowledge and strong network make them an ideal choice to drive SII’s mission of providing exceptional products to clients from coast to coast, stated an SII spokesperson.
As part of the expansion, SII will continue to deliver on its commitment to quality, customer satisfaction and innovation. The appointment of a dedicated Western region representative highlights the company’s focus on personalized support, ensuring clients receive the best possible service no matter where they are located, stated the company spokesperson.
SII is a leading provider of dry kilns and associated products for lumber, firewood and pallets. Based in Lexington, NC, the company has a reputation for delivering high-quality solutions and exceptional customer service. With a commitment to innovation and client satisfaction, SII has become a trusted partner for businesses across the United States.
For more information, visit siidrykilns.com or heicor.com.
LMC Announces New Chairman and Welcomes Two New Board Members
Joe Miles
LMC a long standing, leading forest products and building materials buying group in the United States is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Miles, President of rK Miles as Chairman of the Board and the addition of two new board members Nathan Miller, President of Miller Building Supply and Cory Jameson, CEO of Guy C. Lee Lumber and Building Materials.
Miles succeeds Mark Torrisi of Jackson Lumber & Millwork, who has served in the role since 2023 and has been instrumental in driving LMC strategic initiatives and fostering collaboration among the membership.
Nathan Miller
Miles brings decades of experience in the industry and has been a valued member of the board for six years. In addition, Miles has served in several key industry leadership positions including chair of the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association and president of the VRLDA. Additionally, he has been involved in many local organizations including the Manchester Select Board, board member and chair of Hunter Park, and board member and chair of the Friends of the Manchester Elementary and Middle Schools. He was honored as the VRLDA Lumber Person of the Year in 2022.
Cory Jameson
Additionally, the board welcomes Nathan Miller and Cory Jameson who bring a wealth of experience. Their insights and expertise will be invaluable in guiding LMC’s strategic initiatives and continued success.
LMC is a leading Forest Products and Building Materials Buying Group in the USA owned by independent lumber and building material dealers. There are over 1,800 LMC dealer locations in the United States. “Building Business Together” is LMC’s philosophy, rooted in a history of working together and standing the test of time since 1935.
LMC dealers are united in their purchasing, creating a strong foundation that supports the growth of unique supplier relationships and purchasing opportunities.
To learn more about LMC, visit www.lmc.net.
AWC Applauds EPA’s Decision to Reconsider PM NAAQS Rule
Jackson Morrill
President & CEO of the American Wood Council
The American Wood Council (AWC) President and CEO Jackson Morrill responded to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of a reconsideration of the 2024 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM2.5) and the recent National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP):
“The American Wood Council is pleased the EPA has decided to revisit the 2024 PM NAAQS that has created permitting gridlock across the country and harmed American manufacturing. The 9 µg/m3 standard lowered the limit to near background levels while doing nothing to address the largest sources of particulate matter, such as wildfire smoke. In effect, our industry’s ability to modernize mills to reduce emissions and improve air quality is severely limited by the current rule due to a lack of permit headroom.
“The U.S. wood products industry is committed to protecting human health and maintaining safe air quality and welcomes the EPA moving to modernize the NAAQS implementation and permitting process using sound science and realistic modeling inputs.
“AWC looks forward to continuing to work with the EPA on a more streamlined permitting process that protects people and allows American manufacturing and rural economies to thrive.
“Finally, we are pleased the EPA is reconsidering several recently finalized NESHAPs. While the EPA is still working on the NESHAP for the wood product industry, we hope the EPA can finalize it quickly using the significant flexibility under the Clean Air Act to meet the obligations of the law without imposing additional, unnecessarily burdensome requirements.”
For more information, visit awc.org.
