hm - May13 - cover.indd - National Hardwood Lumber Association

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“Low cut blouses and tight clothes might get you in the door,but they won’t keep you in the game for long. If you wantto be respected, you need to have the knowledge to backwhat you are saying…maybe it’s because I grew up with fivebrothers, but I have not been met with any hostility towardswomen in this industry. I’m not saying that I have never hadany problems, but I don’t think they necessarily arose becauseI was a woman. It was usually because I had done somethingstupid,” Johnson said.“I have found that for the most part, people just wantto get to the heart of business and build relationshipsthat work. One thing this industry provides is a constantlearning process. Not a day goes by that I am ever able to becomplacent, or feel that I have reached the point where I can’tlearn anything new. It is the most challenging, rewarding,frustrating and difficult job I have ever had. And I wouldn’ttrade it for anything.”But, Johnson is quick to point out that there is one majorbenefit to working in a predominately male industry.“You can say what you mean, and mean what you say, and noone cries.”Johnson, who is in her last year on the NHLA Board ofManagers, is proud to have served the hardwood lumberindustry in her role and is reflective.“It has been a great honor for me to be able to be part ofthe decision process. This opportunity has broadened myknowledge of our industry by exposing me to other viewpoints and ways that people do business. It is easy to getisolated in a sawmill environment and get bogged down inthe day to day. Being on the NHLA Board has helped topush my thinking outside the box and think of things as howthey apply to the whole, rather than just a specific group set,”Johnson said.“Just watching the different personality types gather togetherand find a common ground to express their ideas has beenan eye opener. Everyone has something to contribute andthey have impressed me with how seriously they take theirresponsibilities,” Johnson added.10 MAY 2013 HARDWOOD MATTERS WWW.NHLA.COM
Stephanie VanDystadt ofDV <strong>Hardwood</strong>sAlthough she brings much beauty to the NHLAboard table, VanDystadt is respected among hermale peers for her know-how, success and gentlespirit. She also happens to be a highlight in theNHLA history books, as she is the first Canadianfemale to serve on the NHLA Boardof Managers.“It’s an honor. I consider myself a part of adistinguished group of industry leaders and takethe role very seriously and value the opportunity.Hopefully I will be the first of many moreCanadian women to serve in this capacity,”VanDystadt said.“I strongly believe in our industry and appreciatethe opportunities it has provided for mepersonally. Being a Board Member, in my view, isa privilege. It provides me with an opportunity togive back and to hopefully positively contribute.Promotion from within is essential to preserve ourindustry and I am grateful for having been giventhe opportunity to serve as a Board Member.”With a Bachelor Degree in Political Science,specializing in International Business, as well asindustry training through a NHLA Short Course,it was a combination of her education andsupport of her father that led VanDystadt to thelumber industry.“My father was in the industry for many years and knew the owners at DV <strong>Hardwood</strong>s. I was approached by the owner to sell on acommission basis and open the United States market because I spoke English and French – English to be able to communicate withcustomers and French to communicate with the mill and the employees at the office. I thought it would be a great interim job until Ifound a ‘real’ job and almost 15 years later here I am,” VanDystadt saidVanDystadt believes the hardwood lumber industry is one in which its members want to see success among peers.“I have been able to meet several people who have taken me under their wing and helped me along the way. I strongly feel that oneof the greatest things about this industry is that no matter a competitor, customer or colleague everyone is quite open to fosteringrelationships and helping each other along. Throughout the years I have been fortunate to be able to meet some great individuals who Ihave come to respect and from whom I have learned quite a bit,” Vandystadt said.Vandystadt also believes that women seeking to enter the hardwood lumber industry should go for it because it values family andsupports mothers.“I think it is an industry in which women are respected and valued. I also believe that if you can find the right fit with a company andthey are flexible in terms of the hours and time you put in, you can balance a career and family and be able to do well at both. My rolein sales has allowed me to be a mother who can put her children on the bus and be home most afternoons for them. And it allows me tobe able to tuck them in at night while being able to work during the day while they are in school and after they are asleep,” VanDystadt said.WWW.NHLA.COM MAY 2013 HARDWOOD MATTERS 11
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