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

WHERE ARE
THEY NOW
and prepare myself for working with lumbermen; I reached
that goal thanks to our instructor and my mentor, Rich
Hascher, the staff at NHLA, our valuable field trips and my
classmates.” Emily said.
Jenna agrees that the Memphis experience was a success for
her, as well and believes it is key to her hardwood career.
“The experience I gained at NHLA is invaluable to selling
hardwood lumber. From the terminology to grading, I
can confidently talk and inquire with customers, make
recommendations and understand their concerns with
purchasing. Hoping to work in many facets beyond just sales,
I feel like my overall knowledge of the industry grew at the
School, as well. I can even put faces to the names of some of
the mills we purchase from. The whole picture of the industry
began to immerge while I was in Memphis,” Jenna said.
credibility rises exponentially. It takes the negative focus off of those
insignificant qualities and lets my abilities shine,” Emily said.
“I think most men in the industry can respect what Emily and I are
doing, and I think we can bring a different perspective to the industry,”
Jenna added.
In addition to the NHLA Inspector Training School, the Hormuth
cousins are both graduates of California universities. Jenna holds
a Public Relations and Advertising degree from Chapman University
and Emily holds a Marketing Management degree from California
Polytechnic State. Jenna is also an alumnus of NHLA’s Hardwoods 101.
To learn more about the NHLA Inspector Training School
or to enroll in an upcoming class, contact Chris Churchill,
NHLA Director of Education at 901-399-7555 or email
c.churchill@nhla.com.
Just months after graduating from the School, Jenna and
Emily have already settled into the industry nicely as sales
executives.
“I am currently able to assist my customers (who are mostly
furniture manufacturers, general contractors, flooring
installers, cabinet manufacturers, as well as smaller lumber
companies without mills who supply mouldings and s3s
lumber) with lumber purchasing. I am able to ensure they
receive the correct grade, color sort and species of lumber
that they aim to purchase. I am also able to offer alternative
lumber suggestions depending on the customer’s desired use.
When I tell my customers that I graduated from NHLA,
that grants me more respect and confidence in their eyes,”
Emily said.
And being a young female in a mostly male industry doesn’t
hinder the Hormuth cousins from knowing what they want
out of the industry and doing what it takes to get it.
“When I tell people that I am a trained lumber inspector, I
get a weird look and a snicker because they think I am joking.
Then I go on to explain exactly what that entails and I get
their full attention and respect. There are many challenges
for young women in the industry: first and foremost being
female, then young and green to the industry. That is why I
see NHLA as a very important step for young women entering
the industry. As soon as I start talking about what I learned at
the School, explain that I graduated with honors and engage
in relevant conversation with my customers and peers, my
WWW.NHLA.COM JUNE 2011 HARDWOOD MATTERS 17