Mike Tarbell INDUSTRY
Mike Tarbell INDUSTRY Tarbell Received Sage Advice Early In His Career, Which Is Concluding Shinglehouse, PA—Michael Tarbell of RAM Forest Products, located here, is wrapping up a 45-year career in the forest products industry. He is set to retire in July of 2023. Looking back on his career, Mike recalled someone who mentored him in the beginning. “Ben Haycock was a tremendous influence on me as a young salesman at American Lumber Co.,” Tarbell stated. “He was loved by everyone, and always treated CHANGE FOR TOMORROW FOCUSING ON AN EVER-EVOLVING HARDWOOD INDUSTRY WESTERN HARDWOOD ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONVENTION AUGUST 9-11, 2024 GEARHART, OR For details & registration: www.westernhardwood.org/2023 me like I was somebody. Actually, my entire American Lumber family of Jeff Childs, Paul Jukes, Bob Miller and Ron Jones, along with Ben, were the guiding factors in my early career. I guess you could say they built a foundation for me that I tried to maintain for the rest of my career.” In fact, American Lumber in Union City, PA was the first forest products company for which Tarbell worked. Born in Union City, and having studied at Edinboro State University in Edinboro, PA, he went to work stacking lumber during two summers at American Lumber. There, “Ron Jones convinced me to go to the National Hardwood Lumber Association Inspector Training School in 1978,” Tarbell commented. “I started grading lumber for American Lumber Co. that same year.” In 1981, he moved into sales for that company. Four years later, he took a sales position at Banks Hardwoods in Elkhart, IN. In 1986, he accepted a position at RAM Forest Products in Shinglehouse PA, where he will conclude his career as vice president of sales. “I am looking forward to my retirement,” Tarbell remarked. “My wife, Debra, and I plan to enjoy traveling the country and the world. We also have three children and six grandchildren, all living very close to us. We are very involved in their lives as well. I look forward to long walks, good books, great conversation and time spent with the people I love.” Asked what he believes is the key to longevity in the forest products industry, he stated, “I think the most important attributes any salesman can have are honesty and integrity. If you have these, you will do well in this business. I feel they are valued above all other characteristics.” His advice for young lumbermen and lumberwomen is, “Just work hard, and take every opportunity offered to you for advancement.” n CHB Continued from page 32 Continuous improvement matters in managing our forests in a changing climate and to support biodiversity, he concluded. Dallin Brooks, executive director, National Hardwood Lumber Association, spoke about NHLA activities, focusing on their training school and grading courses, as well as Hardwood promotion and The Real American Hardwood program. He also spoke on strengthening the North American Hardwood industry as a whole. The breakfast speaker was Dominique Pelletier, National Manager, Forestry Section, Plant Protection Division, Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The Forestry Section establishes import and domestic movement requirements for forestry products, oversees domestic pest eradication and management programs, oversees exports and imports to and from the U.S. and collaborates on programs of common concerns. His speech touched on the Spotted Lanternfly and other plant health concerns and included some information concerning the Please turn the page “ Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” PRIME LUMBER COMPANY is now your newest and most reliable source for authentic European Beech. Cutting new horizons and providing new opportunities to our customers, backed by the finest quality products is what we do best. We strive to deliver success, quality, and reliability in every board we ship to help your company prosper. Let us help build your dreams as we build our future together. Contact us today to learn more! www.PrimeLumber.com 800-786-1164 ABALON HARDWOOD GmbH - Henry Ford 44 JUNE 2023 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmericanHardwood.org www.RealAmericanHardwood.org JUNE 2023 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 45
