MtHood

WWPA Annual Meeting

  • SAVE THE DATE!

    October 31, 2024

     

    SAVE THE DATE!

    WWPA Annual Meeting April 13 - 15, 2025

    The 2025 WWPA Annual Meeting will be held April 13 through 15 in
    Vancouver Washington at the Hotel Indigo Vancouver Downtown.

    The 2025 event will include the Welcome Reception and Exchange Show,
    Quality Standards & Technical Services Committee Meeting,
    Master Lumberman & Safety Awards, Speakers Session and Industry Reception and Exchange Show.

    A complete schedule of events will be made available in the coming weeks.
    For questions about the WWPA Annual Meeting email WWPA at info@wwpa.org.



  • WWPA Honors 2024 Master Lumberman

    April 18, 2024
    WWPA concluded its 2024 Annual Meeting on April 16th at the Hotel Indigo in Vancouver, Washington. The three-day event brought together industry leaders and members for a series of informative sessions, networking opportunities, and committee meetings.

    A highlight of the event was a visit from U.S. Congressman Bruce Westerman, (4th District, Arkansas), during the WWPA Industry Breakfast. Westerman spoke about his background in forestry and about the future of the lumber industry. The audience also received a surprise visit from U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (3rd District, Washington) who shared some of her insights working with the logging community in her district.

    Another highlight of the meeting was the Master Lumberman Awards. The award recognizes outstanding lumber grading and quality control professionals in the Western lumber industry. It is a prestigious honor with only a select few achieving Master Lumberman status each year.

    Below are the winners of the WWPA Master Lumberman Awards, Safety Awards and Hi-Q Awards:

    2024 Master Lumberman


    (Left to Right: Jeff Hahn (Idaho Forest Group), Tracey Row (Humboldt Sawmill Company), Hank Spears (Sierra Pacific Industries), Chris L. Cannon (Woodgrain), Joseph D. Krauss - (Bright Wood Corporation))


    Chairman's Award

    Lowest 5-year incidence rate awards (2019-2023)

    Hampton Lumber - Tillamook, OR

    (Left to Right: Rodney Trammel-Hampton Lumber, Troy Little-WWPA Second Vice Chairman)


    Interfor U.S., Inc. - Molalla, OR

    (Left to Right: Rick Robertson-Interfor, Troy Little-WWPA Second Vice Chairman)


    Western Forest Products - Vancouver, WA

    (Left to Right: Rich Frazer-Western Forest Products, Troy Little-WWPA Second Vice Chairman)


    District Safety Awards: 2023 Lowest 1-year incidence rate awards by district

    District 1: Hampton Lumber Mills Darrington Div. - Darrington, WA
    District 2: Interfor U.S., Inc. - Philomath, OR
    District 3: Woodgrain Lumber - Pilot Rock, OR
    District 4: Montrose Forest Products - Montrose, CO
    District 5: PotlatchDeltic Corporation - St. Maries, WA


    HI-Q Awards (2023 Recipients)

    Boise Cascade Company - Kettle Falls, WA
    C&D Lumber Company - Riddle, OR
    Canyon Lumber Company, Inc. - Everett, WA
    Interfor U.S. Inc. - Longview, WA
    Mount Hood Forest Products - Hood River, OR
    PotlatchDeltic Corporation - St. Maries, ID
    Stimson Lumber Company - Plummer, ID
    Stimson Lumber Company - St. Maries, ID
    Stimson Lumber Company - Clatskanie, OR
    Stimson Lumber Company - Tillamook, OR
    Western Forest Products US LLC - Vancouver, WA
    Willamina Lumber Company - Willamina, OR


    The annual meeting concluded with the Industry Reception and Exchange Show, offering another opportunity for attendees to network. The annual meeting serves as a valuable platform for the WWPA to connect its members, address industry issues, and promote collaboration. If you're interested in learning more about WWPA or the annual meeting, visit https://www.wwpa.org/about-wwpa/annual-meeting.

    Thank you to our Sponsors!

    Gold

    Silver


Hotel-Night640


Taylor003
GOLD SPONSOR


BID Group_v-Small002SILVER SPONSOR

REGISTRATION OPEN!


Registration is open for the 2024 WWPA Annual Meeting, April 14-16 at the Hotel Indigo, Vancouver Washington.

To register for the meeting CLICK HERE. To reserve a room visit the Hotel Indigo Vancouver Downtown website. Use group code WWP to get the group rate. The deadline for group rate is March 14, 2024 or until the room block is sold out.

ATTENDEE LIST

REGISTRATION
HOTEL
TABLE TOPS
SPONSORSHIPS

For assistance registering for the 2024 WWPA Annual Meeting email us at wwpa@ejpevents.com

AGENDA

SUNDAY, April 14

12:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Registration

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Welcome Reception

MONDAY, April 15

6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Registration

7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Buffet Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Quality Standards/Technical

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Members Meeting- Luncheon/Awards

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Speaker Session

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Industry Reception/Exchange Show

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Industry Dinner

TUESDAY, April 16

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Board of Directors

The 2024 Annual Meeting will be held April 14-16 2024 at Hotel Indigo Vancouver Downtown. The hotel offers access to the best the Pacific Northwest has to offer, including breathtaking views of the Columbia River, convenient proximity to local shops, restaurants, wineries, tap-rooms and attractions. The 7.3-acre Vancouver Waterfront Park, featuring the beautiful Grant Street Pier, opened in September 2018 and has quickly become a popular destination in downtown Vancouver. Portland International Airport is only a 15 minute drive away. We'll see you there!



SAVE THE DATE!

2024 WWPA Annual Meeting April 14 - 16, 2024

The 2024 WWPA Annual Meeting will be held April 14 through 16 in Vancouver Washington at the Hotel Indigo Vancouver Downtown.

The 2024 event will include the (Welcome Reception and Exchange Show), Quality Standards & Technical Services Committee Meeting, Master Lumberman & Safety Awards, Speakers Session and (Chairman's Reception and Exchange Show).

A complete schedule of events will be made available in the coming weeks.

For questions about the WWPA Annual Meeting email WWPA at info@wwpa.org.


Master Lumbermen Honored at 2023 Annual Meeting 

Five veteran lumber industry professionals were added to the WWPA Master Lumberman roster on April 17 during the 2023 Annual Meeting in Portland Oregon. Quality Standards Director Pete Austin presented the awards at the Industry Luncheon. Austin noted the Master Lumberman award was a prestigious honor with only 436 individuals receiving the award since the program was first introduced.

"One of the great honors for me today is in announcing the newest class of WWPA Master Lumbermen." Austin said. "Since 1968, WWPA has recognized these select individuals with the Master Lumberman award. Today, we will induct five more into this exclusive class of lumber professionals."

The five Master Lumbermen are:

Gilbert M. Antone (Yakama Forest Products)
Gerardo Garcia (SDS Lumber LLC)
Darin J. Pace (Western Wood Products Association)
Jesus "Jesse" Roman (Western Wood Products Association)
Kevin Szabados (Hampton Lumber Mills) 

(Photo Courtesy Taras & Alla snappr.com)

From left to right: Pete Austin (WWPA Director of Quality Standards) Gerardo Garcia (SDS Lumber LLC), Gilbert M. Antone (Yakama Forest Products), Kevin Szabados (Hampton Lumber Mills), Darin J. Pace (WWPA Inspector), Jesus "Jesse" Roman (WWPA Inspector), Ray Barbee (WWPA President).

To qualify for the award, candidates must be Certified Graders for at least 20 year, have extensive experience in lumber manufacturing, hold supervisory responsibilities and must be nominated by their companies. Nominations for the 2024 Master Lumberman awards are due by November 30, 2023. For more information contact Dyanne Martin in Quality Standards at dmartin@wwpa.org.

Safety Awards

In addition to the Master Lumberman Awards, three Western mills were honored for outstanding safety records at their operations during the ceremonies. The Chairman's Safety Awards were presented by WWPA Second Vice Chairman Troy Little.

"Western lumber mills take great pride in assuring safe working environments. Keeping employees safe while at work can provide significant, bottom-line results for every operation." Little said. "Today, we recognize companies that have achieved the highest level of safety within their facilities."

Chairman's Awards for best five-year safety records (2018-2022) in three categories based on mill size were presented.

Hampton Lumber Mills - Willamina, OR 
Interfor U.S. Inc. - Longview, WA
Boise Cascade Company - Kettle Falls, WA 

Best one-year safety records (2022) were recognized with the District Awards.

2022 Lowest 1-year incidence rate awards by district:
 
District 1: Interfor U.S. Inc. - Longview, WA
District 2: Interfor U.S., Inc. - Molalla, OR
District 3: Woodgrain Lumber - LaGrande, OR
District 4: Montrose Forest Products - Montrose, CO
District 5: Boise Cascade Company - Kettle Falls, WA

Hi-Q Mill Awards

Each year WWPA identifies individual certified graders with high grading proficiency over a yearlong performance schedule and provides this information to participating mills. The Association recognizes that such achievements reflect a commitment the entire mill made to improve the quality of the lumber produced. This is the foundation for the WWPA Hi-Q Mill Awards. The 2022 Hi-Q Mills recognized at the meeting are listed below.

1. Stimson Lumber CompanyPriest River, ID
2. Stimson Lumber CompanyPlummer, ID
3. Idaho Forest GroupMoyie Springs , ID
4. Stimson Lumber CompanySt. Maries, ID
5. Western Forest Products US, LLC.Vancouver, WA
6. Stimson Lumber CompanyTillamook, OR          
7. Swanson Group ManufacturingRoseburg, OR
8. Willamina Lumber CompanyWillamina, OR
9. Hampton Lumber Mills Darrington, WA
10. Interfor U.S. Inc.Longview, WA            
11. Sierra Pacific IndustriesShelton, WA
12. Sun Mountain LumberDeer Lodge, MT

Visit the photo gallery of award winners at the following link: WWPA 2023 Master Lumberman Awards.

For more information on the WWPA Hi-Q program, contact WWPA at info@wwpa.org.


BANNER02

2023 Sponsors

BID Group_v-Small002

Attendee ListSpeakersRegistrationHotel
 


Registration for the 2023 WWPA Annual Meeting is now open. To register online
CLICK HERE.


The 2023 WWPA Annual Meeting will convene April 16-18, 2023 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Airport, Portland Oregon.

To reserve a room visit the Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Airport website. Use group code WPADeadline for group rate is March 16, 2023 or until the room block is sold out. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY! 

AGENDA

Sunday, April 16
Registration Open - 12:00 PM
Welcome Reception & Exchange Show - 5:00 PM

Monday, April 17
Registration Open - 6:30AM
Industry Breakfast - 7:00 AM
Speaker - Paul Jannke - 8:00 AM
Quality Standards/Technical Services Committee Meeting - 9:30 AM
Industry Luncheon & Awards Program - 12:00 PM
Speaker Session - 2:00PM
David E. Kretschmann, President, American Lumber Standard Committee
History of ALSC

Roy Anderson, Beck Group Vice President

Update on Lumber Usage in the Mass Timber Industry

Bryan Beck, Beck Group President

Update on Western North American Sawmill Performance

Steve Courtney, Beck Group Senior Consultant

Update on Pacific Northwest Log Supply

Industry Reception & Exchange Show - 5:30PM
Industry Dinner + Entertainment - 6:30 PM

Tuesday, April 18
Board of Directors - 8:00AM (Closed)

For questions on the annual meeting, contact WWPA at info@wwpa.org.



SAVE THE DATE!

BANNER02
The 2023 WWPA Annual Meeting will be held April 16 through 18 in Portland Oregon at the Embassy Suites PDX - Portland Airport.

The 2023 event will include the (Welcome Reception and Exchange Show), Quality Standards & Technical Services Committee Meeting, Master Lumberman & Safety Awards, Speakers Session and (Chairman's Reception and Exchange Show). 

A complete schedule of events will be made available in the coming weeks.

For questions about the WWPA Annual Meeting email WWPA at info@wwpa.org.


Master Lumbermen Honored at 2022 Annual Meeting

Six veteran lumber industry professionals were added to the WWPA Master Lumberman roster on May 25 during the 2022 Annual Meeting in Stevenson Washington. Quality Standards Director Pete Austin presented the awards at the Industry Luncheon. Austin noted the Master Lumberman award was a prestigious honor with only 431 individuals receiving the award in the past 54 years.

"One of the great honors for me today is in announcing the newest class of WWPA Master Lumbermen." Austin said. "Since 1968, WWPA has recognized these select individuals with the Master Lumberman award. Today, we will induct six more into this exclusive class of lumber professionals."

The six Master Lumbermen are:

Ezequiel Barajas (Idaho Forest Group, LLC)

Adam J. Bauer (PotlatchDeltic Corporation)

Steven E. Coalman (Stimson Lumber Company)

Everett W. Easley III (Collins)

Jose Armando Lavalle (Sierra Pacific Industries)

Gordon R. Watts (Mendocino Forest Products) 

2022-MasterLumberman-600px

(Photo Courtesy Taras & Alla snappr.com)

From left to right: Gordon Watts (Mendocino Forest Products), Armando Lavalle (Sierra Pacific Industries), Steve Coalman (Stimson Lumber Company), Everett Easley (Collins), Adam Bauer (PotlatchDeltic), Ezequiel Barajas (Idaho Forest Group), Pete Austin (WWPA Director of Quality Standards).

To qualify for the award, candidates must be Certified Graders for at least 20 year, have extensive experience in lumber manufacturing, hold supervisory responsibilities and must be nominated by their companies. Nominations for the 2023 Master Lumberman awards are due by November 30, 2022. For more information contact Dyanne Martin in Quality Standards at dmartin@wwpa.org.

Safety Awards

In addition to the Master Lumberman Awards, three Western mills were honored for outstanding safety records at their operations during the ceremonies. The Safety Awards were presented by Todd Payne.

"Western lumber mills take great pride in assuring safe working environments. Keeping employees safe while at work can provide significant, bottom-line results for every operation." Payne said. "Today, we recognize companies that have achieved the highest level of safety within their facilities."

Chairman's Awards for best five-year safety records (2017-2021) in three categories based on annual employee hours were presented.

Hampton Lumber Mills - Tillamook, OR

Interfor U.S. Inc. - Molalla, OR

Western Forest Products US LLC - Vancouver, WA 

Best one-year safety records (2021) were recognized with the District Awards.

2021 Lowest 1-year incidence rate awards by district:

District 1: Interfor U.S. Inc. - Longview, WA

District 2: : Interfor U.S., Inc. - Molalla, OR

District 3: Woodgrain Lumber - Pilot Rock, OR

District 4: Montrose Forest Products - Montrose, CO

District 5: Stimson Lumber Co. - St. Maries, ID

Hi-Q Mill Awards

Each year WWPA identifies individual certified graders with high grading proficiency over a yearlong performance schedule and provides this information to participating mills. The Association recognizes that such achievements reflect a commitment the entire mill made to improve the quality of the lumber produced. This is the foundation for the WWPA Hi-Q Mill Awards. The 2021 Hi-Q Mills recognized at the meeting are listed below.

1. C & D LUMBER COMPANY - Riddle, OR

2. HAMPTON LUMBER MILLS - COWLITZ DIV. - Morton, WA

3. IDAHO FOREST GROUP, LLC - Moyie Springs, ID 

4. INTERFOR U.S. INC.- Longview, WA 

5. INTERFOR U.S. INC. - Molalla, OR 

6. SIERRA PACIFIC INDUSTRIES - Corning, CA 

7. STIMSON LUMBER COMPANY - Plummer, ID

8. STIMSON LUMBER COMPANY - St. Maries, ID

9. STIMSON LUMBER COMPANY - Gaston, OR

10. STIMSON LUMBER COMPANY - Tillamook, OR 

11. WARRENTON LUMBER COMPANY - Warrenton, OR

For more information on the WWPA Hi-Q program, contact WWPA at info@wwpa.org.