hm - Dec12 - cover.indd - National Hardwood Lumber Association

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S
MESSAGE
INTERNATIONAL GRADE PROMOTION
TOPS AGENDA AT FALL BOARD MEETING
The NHLA fall board meeting was held November 8-10 and began with a special report
from Chief Inspector Dana Spessert and China based NHLA inspector Randy Wilson on the
challenges of meeting the demands of the number one market for hardwood lumber. This
special report set the tone for a number of actions and the meeting concluded on positive
based motions.
The seven standing committees of the Association met on day one. The committees are as follows:
communications and marketing; continuing education; convention; hardwood advocacy (formerly
promotion); inspection services; inspector training school and membership. Each committee
discussed the new international role of NHLA and several new actions were approved.
The first new action involved the continued expansion of education and inspection services
around the world, not just in China. The second was the development of a Chinese
language lumber grading program held at NHLA headquarters in Memphis next summer.
The summer program would include all of the elements of the 14-week course currently
operated and provide a well rounded education for the buyers and users of North American
hardwoods. From the direction of the membership committee, NHLA will continue efforts
to maintain and expand overseas membership, but primary efforts will focus on expanding
domestic membership and strengthening support among the North American industry. The
communications and marketing committee approved a new magazine titled “International
Matters” that will focus on the grading Rules and be distributed around the world. And
lastly, the convention committee will add to efforts to make the convention the true “global
gathering” place for the hardwood industry.
The full NHLA board of managers met on day two with a vigorous discussion of these and other
ideas to ensure the relevancy and effectiveness of NHLA far into the future. An important part of
the discussion was to also ensure the future financial strength of NHLA as it invests in new programs
that may not see an immediate financial return. The board has challenged the NHLA staff to grow
the organization in a time of retrenching, and I can assure that the staff is up to the task.
Despite the importance of export markets to the North American hardwood industry,
North American exports make up a small portion of the wood imported around the world.
Recognizing this, the NHLA board has taken some strong steps to increase the share by
supplementing the Association’s efforts.
The full NHLA board of
managers met on day two
with a vigorous discussion
of these and other ideas to
ensure the relevancy and
effectiveness of NHLA far
into the future.
Sincerely,
Mark Barford, CAE, Executive Director
National Hardwood Lumber Association
6 DECEMBER 2012 HARDWOOD MATTERS WWW.NHLA.COM