SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION

Yirginia Building Material Association's Tlst annual convention April 3-7 will feature attomey lerry Katz addressing "What Will the State Supreme Court Ruling on the Mechanics Lien Law Mean to You?" and lawyer David Nagle on "Do You Understand Employment Law? Better Beware!"

Themed "Focus on the Future." the meeting at The Homestead in Hot Springs will also include roundtable discussions on acquiring a new business, employment law and supplier/dealer issues, banquets, and golf, bowling and tennis toumaments.

Louisiana Building Material Dealers Association presented the 1997 Ned Ball Award to Jerry Smith, Smith Building Supply, Denham Springs, during its annual convention Jan. I 6- 1 9 in Lafayette.

Alan Wiggins, Martin Distributors, Alexandria, accepted the Supplier of the Year Award. The President's Award went to A.J. Harris, Martin Lumber, Baton

Rouge, and a Special Reconition Award to Jon Cromwell for chairing the Suppliers Advisory Council.

Don Bertrand was installed as new LBMDA president, succeeding Curtis Turner. New lst v.p. is George Harrel; 2nd v.p. Dudley Webre, Jr.; treas. Gayle Caldwell; national dealer director George Kellett; alternate national dealer director Dudley Webre, Sr., and directors Trey Kiper, Aaron Scott, Jim Pearce, Bill Hogan, Tim Stine, Nickie Blake, Jimmy Robertson, Norris Rader, Jr., Nolan LeBlanc, Pierre Schwing, Jr., Frank Fazzio, Wallace Poole, Ed Stagg, Alan Martin, Jerry Smith, Brent Hebert, Forrest Decuir, Douglas Gregory and Robert Vice. Lumbermen's Association of Texas will target Hunting (for values) and Fishing (for deals) at its annual convention and expo Apil L7-20 at the San Antonio Convention Center.

The program includes a keynote