A New Era: The Next Generation of the Lumber Industry
Friday, October 2
Sponsored by Hardwood Market Report

This educational program was very well received and featured the next generation of hardwood industry leaders exploring the ins and outs of running yesterday’s company today. The panel discussed how companies rich in tradition can keep up in today’s quickly evolving modern business world.

Scott Heidler
Heidler Hardwood Lumber Company
Scott began working full time at Heidler Hardwood Lumber Company (HHL) after graduating from Hampden Sydney College with a degree in Business Management. Scott is a graduate of the 95th class of the NHLA Inspector Training School. After working in all aspects of the company with his father for 12 years, Scott and his brother purchased HHL from him to continue the history of Heidler’s owning and running the company. Scott served as President of the Hardwood Distributors Association from 2001–2003 and currently serves as a Director for the National Hardwood Lumber Association. He has served as HHL President for nine years and looks forward to the challenges that everyone is currently facing in the hardwood industry.

Sally Johnson
Batey, Ltd.
Sally Johnson grew up in the logging industry and has 20 years experience in the lumber industry, gained from employment at her family-owned sawmill in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. During her time at Batey, Ltd., she has witnessed the evolution of the company, growing from nine employees to more than 65 and the addition of another mill, kilns, steamers, and pellet mill. Sally believes that with new ventures come new challenges and the opportunity for gained knowledge and experience. She is a proponent of the small sawmill and believes them to possess strong intuition about markets, and the realities that drive them.

Greg Patenaude
Péladeau Lumber Inc.
Beginning his career in the hardwood lumber industry in 1984, Greg Patenaude is now second generation president of Péladeau Lumber Inc. The company operates three sawmills and a concentration/distribution yard in Montreal, Canada. Péladeau Lumber Inc. has gained a worldwide reputation for delivering high quality products and service. Greg has served as Chairman of the Canadian Hardwood Bureau, Secretary for the Hardwood Club of Montreal and is currently serving on the Board of Managers for NHLA.

Kim Vollinger
W.M. Cramer Lumber Company
Kim Cramer Vollinger joined the family business (W.M. Cramer Lumber Company) in 1987 after graduating from Wake Forest University. Upon completion of both the NHLA Inspector Training School and the NHLA Leadership Program, she pursued active roles in several industry associations. In addition to serving as President of both the Appalachian Lumbermen’s Club and the Hardwood Forest Foundation, she remains active with the Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers and the Harwood Distributor’s Association. In her spare time she teaches cycle, yoga, and boxing.

2009 National Hardwood Lumber Association Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase
www.nhla.com