In April 2019, the NHLA Board of Managers approved the NHLA Women in Leadership Award to recognize women leaders in the Hardwood lumber industry. If you were at the 2019 NHLA Convention, you will remember the moving moments when then President Darwin Murray presented a posthumous award to Mrs. Pat Crites of Allegheny Wood Products. Her husband John Crites and the entire family accepted the award in her honor. For me, it was one of the most important “feel good” moments of the conference.
After a thorough review of the award concept, the NHLA Board recently voted to expand the award criteria to include both men and women leaders. NHLA Vice President Jon Syre will serve as the NHLA Leadership Award Selection Committee.
The award will honor an industry leader who has supported NHLA and the Hardwood industry through the trials and tribulations that best characterizes the nature of the Hardwood industry. And after what we have all been through in the past several years, I for one believe it is time for a celebration of a man or woman who defines what leadership looks like for the entire Hardwood industry.
As you consider the man or woman you might nominate for this award, you may ask, what is a leader, what defines leadership? Leadership is a quality that is very difficult to quantify, because it is hard to put on paper. Leadership is influenced by perception, like the positive mark or legacy an individual leaves behind as they move forward through their lives and careers. Leaders are innovators and iconoclasts, rebels when they need to be, negotiators and debaters. They are individuals who learn as much as they educate, great leaders are great followers all at the same time. And the one common trait all Hardwood leaders have is an ongoing commitment to NHLA and our industry.
It is time to celebrate their contributions with a nomination acknowledging their contributions.
So How Does It Work?
The NHLA Leadership Award will be presented on a bi-annual basis to recognize a male or female NHLA member for their significant and ongoing contributions and leadership to NHLA and its members. All NHLA members in good standing are qualified to win the award. The award may also be presented posthumously.
A nominee must be a NHLA member for 20 years or more prior to being nominated. He or she must demonstrate ongoing contributions and dedication to serving the industry, and consistent recognition of his/her role as a collaborative industry leader. He or she should be a proven innovator with a consistent track record of supporting NHLA and the Hardwood industry.
Nominees must be actively engaged in the Hardwood industry; exceptions may be made for retirees from the Hardwood industry and NHLA membership.
To Nominate
To nominate an individual, you must present an outline of the honorees contributions and describe the positive impact of his or her actions to NHLA and the Hardwood industry. You should provide references/support from a minimum of two NHLA members in good standing. Individuals nominating others may add information as they deem necessary.
Once nominated, the President of the NHLA Board will appoint an Award selection committee that includes representatives from all segments of NHLA membership and chaired by the Board Vice President. The Committee will be made up of representatives from all member segments who are charged with the responsibility of reviewing nominees and submitting one finalist for the award. Individuals serving on the Selection Committee who are nominated for an award must recuse him or herself from Committee deliberations. In 2021, the award will be presented at NHLA Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase in West Palm Beach, Florida.
For more information, or to ask questions, please email l.christie@nhla.com.
