KFIA 49 th Annual
KFIA 49 th Annual Meeting Draws Large Attendance Photos By Gary Miller (Editor’s Note: In conjunction with the KFIA meeting, a hospitality suite was hosted by Robinson Lumber Co. Inc., New Orleans, LA, and Van Meter Insurance Co., Bowling Green, KY. Several of the accompanying photos were captured at the hospitality suite.) Louisville, KY–The Kentucky Forest Industries Association (KFIA) recently completed a successful 49th Annual Meeting here at the historic Brown Hotel. The meeting was well attended by over 350 members. The KFIA Annual Meeting serves as the premier event for the Hardwood industry in Kentucky and got underway with a day of golf that included a record turnout of over 80 golfers. Thursday started with the Board of Directors taking care of association business and was followed by the KFIA/Tree Farm Awards Luncheon. The luncheon provided an opportunity to honor a wide range of individuals that help to make forestry and the wood industry a big success throughout the state. The following people were recognized for their contributions to forestry in Kentucky: ✦Harry & Karen Pelle, Bradfordsville, KY – 2013 Tree Farmer of the Year ✦Allen’s Logging LLC, Shepherdsville, KY – 2013 Logger of the Year ✦Connie Woodcock, Central Region Kentucky Division of Forestry, Campbellsville, KY – 2013 Inspector of the Year ✦ Renee Williams, University of Kentucky Forestry Extension, Lexington, KY – 2013 Communicator of the Year KFIA recognized the following people for their leadership and service to the KFIA Board of Directors: ✦Secretary/Treasurer – Yvonne Bradley, Homer Gregory Co. - Morehead, KY ✦Director – Chuck Courtney, Courtney Timber Harvesting – Greenville, KY The following people were elected to the 2014 KFIA Board of Directors: ✦President: Darrin Gay, Gay Brothers Logging & Lumber, Oneida, KY; ✦Vice President: Tony Leanhart, Northland Corporation, LaGrange, KY; ✦Secretary/Treasurer: Amy Conley, Diamond Forest Resources, Morehead, KY Re-elected Directors: Casey Goodman, C.B. Goodman & Sons Lumber, Hickory, KY; and Ronnie Robinson, Robinson Stave Co., East Bernstadt, KY New elected Directors: Darryl Centers, Patterson Chip Co., Barbourville, KY; Mervin Strader, Strader Bros. LLC, Elkton, KY; and Mike Gomes, Wonderful LLC, Somerset, KY The afternoon included meetings discussing the Hardwood Check Off and Sustainable Forestry Implementation in Kentucky, as usual tradition, everyone enjoyed the Robinson Lumber/Van Meter Insurance Hospitality Suite with seafood and special cuisine straight from New Orleans. The day concluded with the Exhibitor Reception and plenty of time to see some of the latest technology and services being offered to the wood industry. Friday morning opened with a state legislative and association update by KFIA Executive Director Bob Bauer. Other conference speakers were Joe Collins, Office of the State Entomologist, who provided an update on the Emerald Ash Borer and Thousand Cankers Disease plaguing the industry. Bob Russell, of Brown- Forman Cooperage, gave an update on the recent growth in the bourbon and stave markets and Matt Bynum, Louisville Slugger Factory, explained how the Emerald Ash Borer is affecting the bat-making process and how the tree becomes a bat. KFIA is pleased to announce that the 2015 Annual Meeting will be in Lexington, KY, at the Embassy Suites on March 25-27. KFIA is a trade association dedicated to serving and promoting the forest products industry of Kentucky. Founded in 1965, it has over 600 members in the areas of primary and secondary wood industry, supplier and service industries, wholesale, loggers and landowners. KFIA promotes sound forest management through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. For more information about the association contact Bob Bauer at 502-695 3979. ■ Jim Higgins, U•C Coatings, Buffalo, NY; Mike Albrecht, Albrecht Hardwood Flooring, Shelbyville, KY; and John Smith, Forest Products Inc., Corbin, KY. Mike Albrecht won ,000 for getting a hole-in-one on hole number 8 in the golf tournament, which was a hole sponsored by U•C Coatings. He won an additional 0 for being closest to the pin on that same hole. 28 JUNE 2014 ■ NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE
Steve Staryak and Matt Begley, BPM Lumber LLC, London, KY; Isaiah and Sarah Harville, Woodcraft Industries Inc., Bowling Green, KY; and Bill Steele, Kentucky Tie & Lumber Co., Columbia, KY Henry Christ, Dunaway Timber Co. Inc., Fordsville, KY, and outgoing President of the KFIA, gives the gavel to the new incoming President of the KFIA, Darrin Gay, Gay Brothers Logging & Lumber, Oneida, KY Linwood Truitt, Beasley Forest Products Inc., Hazlehurst, GA; Steve Johnson, Thompson Hardwoods Inc., Hazlehurst, GA; Amy Coyner, eLimbs LLC, Belpre, OH; Brad Booe, R. Booe & Sons Hardwoods Inc., Center Point, IN; and John Lindeberg, Wellborn Cabinet Inc., Ashland, AL Jack Shannon Jr., J.T. Shannon Lumber Co., Memphis, TN; and Jim Howard, Atlanta Hardwood Corp., Mableton, GA Kirk Bachman and Sherry Laughlin, Missouri Walnut LLC, Neosho, MO; and Arkie Fouts, Paintsville Wood Products Inc., Paintsville, KY J.R. Johns, Armstrong Hardwood Flooring Co., Jackson, TN; Bob Zandi, Baillie Lumber Co., Leitchfield, KY; Deron Harris, Premium Hardwoods Inc., Bremen, KY; and David Piper, Brewco Inc., Central City, KY Gary Miller, National Hardwood Magazine, Memphis, TN; and Andy Dunsmore and Junior Kessler, Hermitage Hardwood Lumber Sales Inc., Cookeville, TN Tom Talbot, Glen Oak Lumber & Milling, Somerset, KY; Kelly Sutherland and Scott Wood, Midwest Walnut Co., Willow Springs, MO; and Tom Oilar, Cole Hardwood Inc., Logansport, IN Ralph Bartles, Graf Brothers Flooring & Lumber, South Shore, KY; Glenn Durham, Frank Miller Lumber Co., Union City, IN; Jay Engle, Koetter & Smith Inc., Borden, IN; and Tony Messina, Frank Miller Lumber Co. Scott Wood, Midwest Walnut Co., Willow Springs, MO; Jimmy Carr, G.F. Hardwoods, Moss, TN; Jerrod Free, J.T. Shannon Lumber Co., Memphis, TN; and Quentin Moss, G.F. Hardwoods Additional photos on next page JUNE 2014 ■ NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 29
