hm - June11 - cover.indd - National Hardwood Lumber Association

WHERE ARE
THEY NOW
EMILY AND JENNA HORMUTH,
INSPECTOR TRAINING SCHOOL 163 RD CLASS
By Crystal Oldham
purchased it from my grandfather when he retired in 1978. They
then bought Orange County Lumber Company (OCLC) in 1988.
OCLC was relocated from Santa Ana to Rialto, California in 1993.
Rick went to run OCLC, while John and Steve stayed with OCHL.
In 1991, they started Strata Forest Products, and John went to run
SFP. Currently, Steve has retired, and Rick and John are owning
partners of Hormuth Group Lumber Companies,” Emily said.
When a person visits Las Vegas, the betting is usually done with
a game of Poker, Black Jack or even the standard slot machine,
but when recent NHLA Inspector Training School graduate Jenna
Hormuth visited Sin City recently, she won her money through a
guessing game. The game “Guess what Jenna does for a living.”
The answer Lumber Sales.
As the tradition-loving lumber industry continues to evolve into
a modern and global industry, traces of the lumberman stereotype
continue to be present, but two California natives are working hard
to find their place in the industry. And the first stop on their journey
into the forest products industry was the NHLA Inspector Training
School. Jenna and her cousin, Emily Hormuth- both of Strata
Forest Products in Orange County, California are graduates of
the 163rd Class.
In addition to being the typical “California Girls,” the Hormuth
cousins are third-generation lumbermen and the pride they have in
continuing with the family business is evident.
“My grandfather, William Hormuth, started in the lumber industry
working for Hammond Lumber Company in San Fernando. He
relocated to Santa Ana to be GM of their new yard. He wanted to
go into business for himself and bought Orange Coast Hardwood &
Lumber around 1960. The name was eventually changed to Orange
Coast Hardware & Lumber (OCHL). My father, Rick Hormuth
and my uncles, John and Steve Hormuth worked for OCHL then
“Knowing my family has been in the forest products industry for so
many years is pretty special. Every time I make a new connection
with someone in the industry, it’s like you have an unspoken bond,
which really makes me proud on a daily basis. I love the old school
vibe, it is a true business based on relationships and honesty. It is also
such an important facet in so many other businesses, I feel like I am
part of something bigger than myself.” Jenna added.
Former Memphian and NHLA Graduate Lou Kretzer is a member
of the Strata Forest Products team and suggested the women attend
the School.
“The School is a great way to get experience in an industry with
immeasurable potential and opportunities. Anyone with drive
and willingness to put in hard work can find a career in hardwood
lumber; it doesn’t have to start as a family business. I have noticed
that people who work in hardwood lumber appreciate hard work
and honesty in people and that sort of thing gets noticed here above
a fancy college degree or social group. It doesn’t just have to be a
career in lumber grading; sales, marketing, management, etc. are
also avenues to take in the industry. Also, I witnessed classmates get
approached with job opportunities before they had even graduated,”
Jenna said.
Emily served as Class President while at the School and held the
second overall grade average among her peers. In addition, she
received the Leadership Award, presented by the Lumbermen’s
Club of Memphis.
“I enjoyed my time at the School. I met some great people. The staff
was very helpful and dedicated. I made new friendships with my
fellow classmates and I look forward to hearing about their progress
in the industry. My goal was to get acclimated with the industry
16 JUNE 2011 HARDWOOD MATTERS WWW.NHLA.COM