Nathan Jeppson is President, CEO and Chairman of Northwest Hardwoods, Inc., with its headquarters in Frisco, TX.
Northwest Hardwoods is the only coast to coast producer of hardwood lumber, with production capabilities throughout all major hardwood growing regions. The company operates 23 manufacturing locations, including sawmills, concentration yards, and re-manufacturing plants and leverages 11 warehousing and distribution points strategically located throughout the United States to serve their customers. Beyond its footprint in North America the company operates sales offices throughout Asia. NWH manufactures 14 domestic species of the highest quality hardwood lumber, supplies over 20 species of quality imported exotic hardwood lumber and a variety of structural and appearance plywood products. The company is dedicated to providing a world-class customer experience and is committed to its Core Values.
A graduate of Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Harvard University with a Master’s in Business Administration, Jeppson spent the majority of his career in the plastics and chemicals industry with Dow Chemical and Shell Chemical. Since joining the hardwood industry in January 2019 Jeppson has been actively working to promote the industry and is currently on the board of directors for the Hardwood Federation. Outside of work he and his wife spend most of their free time involved in various activities with their four children. Jeppson previously served as a member of the board of directors for Houston Habitat for Humanity.
To learn more, go to www.northwesthardwoods.com.
Jesse LaSon is general manager of Rossi Distribution in Lancaster, PA, salesman for Emporium Hardwoods in Emporium, PA. and salesman for Bradford Forest in Bradford, PA.
The Rossi Group, headquartered in Cromwell, CT, is a manufacturer, wholesaler and distributor that sells all over the world. Its affiliates Emporium & Bradford sawmills produce a combined 56 million board feet annually, while their kiln capacity is a combined 3.3 million board feet. The company stocks over 8 million board feet of Red and White Oak, Cherry, Hard and Soft Maple, and Ash (No. 3 Common through FAS) in 4/4 through 12/4 thicknesses. Emporium Hardwoods is FSC certified and has company owned trucks to help ensure a fast turnaround time.
The Rossi Group is a member of National Hardwood Lumber Association, Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, Hardwood Distributors Association (HDA), Western Hardwood Association, Penn-York Lumbermen’s Club, New England Lumbermen’s Association, American Hardwood Export Council, Canadian Hardwood Bureau, and Appalachian Lumbermen’s Club.
He began his forest products career at Clear Lake Lumber as a salesman, then moved into management while continuing to sell. LaSon has worked for The Rossi Group for 11 years. He is current president of the Penn-York Lumbermen’s Club and former HDA president.
In his spare time, LaSon enjoys fishing, riding motorcycles, watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and coaching boy’s lacrosse. He and his wife of 15 years, Destiny, have two daughters and two sons: Bailey, Khloe, Preslea and Oskar.
Details are available at www.rossigroup.net.
Bruce Horner is in sales and purchasing with Abenaki Timber Corporation of Kingston, NH. The company operates concentration yards and dry kilns, handling 15 million board feet of lumber per year. Species they offer include Poplar, Cherry, Red and White Oak, Ash, Hard and Soft Maple, European Beech, Beech, Birch, Basswood and Hickory.
Abenaki is a member of the National Hardwood Lumber Association, Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, Hardwood Manufacturers Association, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc., American Hardwood Export Council, Penn-York Lumbermen’s Club, New England Lumbermen’s Association and the Appalachian Lumbermen’s Club.
Horner’s territory is the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. He has worked in his current job for 15 years. His career in the forest products industry goes back 39 years, beginning as a custom cabinet and door manufacturer. Between then and now, he has worked a wide variety of jobs in sawmills from stacking lumber to head sawyer to grader.
Horner graduated from the Greater Johnstown Area Vocational Technical School in cabinet making and from the NHLA Inspector Training School.
In his free time, he enjoys hunting, farming and golfing. He and his wife, Wilma, have been married for 36 years. They have two daughters, a grandson and a granddaughter.
Learn more at www.abenakitimber.com.
