Chris Norris is the Director of Operations at Hood Distribution, located in Hattiesburg, MS. Hood Distribution is a distribution yard with 15 locations, where they buy 12 million board feet annually. They carry Poplar in FAS and No. 1 Common, Hard and Soft Maple in Select and Better and No. 1 Common, Red and White Oak in FAS, Alder in superior and premium frame, a variety of other domestic Hardwood species and imported Hardwoods in FAS and Select and Better, all in 4/4-12/4 thicknesses.
Hood Distribution continues to add value to their operations with S2S lumber and SLR lumber, and a gang rip for lumber and moulders for running trim. Five of their locations offer custom laid-up panels, custom thickness S2S lumber, gang rip Hardwood blanks for their millwork customers and running trim that helps relieve the staff shortages in their customers’ fabrication facilities. Hood Distribution also offers a company wide internal transfer system that delivers customers products from any of their locations within two weeks.
Norris has been with Hood Distribution for 17 and a half years and has been the Director of Operations for four years, and among his duties is lumber purchasing. He first started in the forest products industry 37 years ago in general labor for a moulding operation. Throughout his time in the industry he has also worked as a warehouse order picker, a machine operator, inside and outside sales, branch manager and regional manager.
Norris graduated from Ruston (LA) High School, and then went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Louisiana Tech University.
Norris enjoys duck hunting and watching LSU football. He has three sons, two of which are in college and one in high school.
Hood Distribution is a member of the National Hardwood Lumber Association, Florida Building Material Alliance, North American Building Distribution Association, Northeastern Retail Lumber Association and the American Institute of Architects of Mississippi.
For more information, call 601-296-4816, email cnorris@hooddistribution.com or visit www.hooddistribution.com.
Josh Kahle owns Hardwoods of Wisconsin, a flooring manufacturer based in Elkhorn, WI, that sells domestically and internationally.
The company purchases 300,000 board feet annually in White Oak (No. 1 and 2 Common, Select and Better) 4/4 thickness, kiln-dried and surfaced as well as Black Locust, 4×4 green cant material. The firm also offers UV finishing, UV curing, wire brushing and cutting.
Kahle has been with Hardwoods of Wisconsin for 12 years and in his current position for five years. His first job in the forest products industry was as a laborer in a flooring warehouse. He also has been a kiln operator and worked in flooring sales. He and his wife, Jamie, have two sons. In his spare time, Kahle enjoys playing the guitar.
Hardwoods of Wisconsin is a member of the National Wood Flooring Association.
Please see www.hardwoodsofwisconsin.com for more information.
Levi Schrock is the lumber buyer for Lake Area Designs, which manufactures recreational vehicle furnishings in LaGrange, IN. Lake Area Designs focuses on providing furnishings for the luxury fifth-wheel and motor coach industry in the LaGrange and Elkhart County RV belt as well as some customers outside of this area.
The company annually purchases 1 million board feet of Soft Maple, Cherry, Ash and Poplar in 4/4 through 8/4 thicknesses (Select and Better). All staining and finishing is done in-house for better quality control and shorter turn-around times.
Schrock, who has over 15 years of Hardwood lumber buying experience, joined Lake Area Designs a little over seven years ago. He has been in the forest products industry for almost 24 years, with most of his career having been involved in overseeing production of dimensional products such as edge-glued panels and moulded trims as well as cut to length furniture components.
Schrock and his wife of 11 years, Clara, have three sons and two daughters. In his spare time, he likes to work on mechanical projects including servicing construction equipment etc. He enjoys fishing, deer hunting and the great outdoors.
Please see www.lakeareadesigns.com for more information.
