National Hardwood Magazine - Christmas 2023

RTA Annual Symposium
& Technical Conference:
105 Years Old And Going Strong
Photos By Paul Miller Jr.
Dave Koch, Wheeler Lumber LLC, Whitewood, SD; Claus Staalner, American Wood Technology LLC, Jefferson, GA; and Howard Tomlinson
and Douglas Mellott, Mellott Wood Preserving Co. Inc., Needmore, PA
The Railway Tie Association (RTA) recently held its
105th Annual Symposium and Technical Conference at
the Westin Buckhead Hotel in Atlanta, GA.
The four-day event kicked off with RTA committee
meetings followed by attendee registration and exhibitor
set-up the next day.
In addition to a diverse mix of exhibitor displays to
peruse, attendees enjoyed multiple networking opportunities,
heard from a variety of informative speakers,
and had the option to participate in off-site activities,
such as the Annual RTA Golf Tournament.
In addition to the RTA Annual Awards Ceremony
highlighting scholarship winners as well as the contributions
made by veterans of the wood tie industry, the
conference provided insight on a variety of topics.
Representatives from the Association of American
Railroads, American Short Line and Regional Railroad
Association, GoRail and Georgia Forestry Association
offered updates on legislative affairs impacting the
wood tie industry.
Executives from the National Hardwood Lumber
To learn more, visit www.rta.org.
Association, Hardwood Market Report and National
Wooden Pallet and Container Association offered insight
on Hardwood marketplace topics.
Other sessions addressed the latest research and
innovative developments in preservative treatments,
tie evaluations and more; railroad engineering projects;
and projected railroad procurement trends for 2024.
RTA was organized in 1919, with predecessor groups
dating back to the 1800s supporting the railroad tie
industry and working to preserve forests through conservation.
RTA’s mission is keeping the wood tie market strong
and sustainable by advocating for and conducting a
variety of activities, including:
• Research in all aspects of the crosstie industry
• Sound forest management
• Timber resource conservation
• Wood preservation
• Industry safety
RTA is governed by a strict Antitrust Policy. n
Ben Leidy, Stacey McKinney and Ryan Kragnes, Koppers Inc.,
Pittsburgh, PA
Will Cumberland, North American Tie & Timber LLC, Meridian,
MS; Tony Machamer, Koppers Inc., Pittsburgh, PA; and Michael
Bentley, Koppers Inc., Irwinton, GA
Brad Crawford, Stella-Jones Corp., Lexington, KY; Jimmy Edwards, CR Quality Services Inc., Valparaiso, IN; Matthew Netterville, Fred
Netterville Lumber Co., Woodville, MS; and Chad Sorrells, Sorrells Sawmill Inc., Holly Springs, AR
Additional photos on next page
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CHRISTMAS 2023 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 31