SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION

Oklahoma State Committee of the Mid-America Lumbermens Association has formed to promote the Oklahoma lumber and building material industry, exchange information, monitor and interpret legislation, encourage high levels ofprofessional standards and education and assist members wherever possible in doing business.

Robert Henkle, Oklahoma vice president, Grand Country Homeworks, Grove, presided at the first meeting July 17 in Oklahoma City with Henry Bockus, Gordon White Lumber Co., Oklahoma City, acting chairman. Officers elected: Mike Kennedy, T. H. Rogers Lumber Co., McAlester, chairman, and E. L. Ware, Starr Lumber Co., Woodward, vice chairman.

Others attending: David Heien, Marlow Lumber Co., Marlowt Gary Ketcham, H. E. Ketcham Lumber Dealer, Muskogee; K. C. Rothschopl The Lumber Mart, Guymon; Pat Parrish, The Lumber Shed, Oklahoma City; Gary Smith, Smith & Sons Building Center, Anadarko; Wayne Oakley, Oakley Lumber & Supply, Laverne, and Richard L. Carlson, Currell Lumber, Lawton.

Mississippi Building Material Dealers Association will move ofTices from Jackson to Carthage by Oct. l.

The decision to relocate was made at a recent board meeting in Natchez. A committee also was appointed to revise the bylaws for presentation at the February board meeting. Setting the dates and location for the 1993 convention and tradeshow was delegated to the convention committee.

Committees for l99l-92: Joe Alexander, Bay Springs; Janette Breedlove, Charleston; Nancy lrby, Durantt Dwight Long, Union; Ken Morris, Cantonl Charles Patterson, Kosciusko, and M BM DA offi cers, executive committee; Clark Howell, Carthage, chairman; Barnett Phillips, Canton; Kenneth Breland, Philadelphia; Curtis Seay, Liberty; Charlie lrby, Durant; Larry Weston, Jackson; Ted Allen, Magee, insurance.

Planners for the 1992 convention: Julie & Wayne Banks, Greenwood, chairmen; Curtis & Dee Dee Seay, Liberty; James & Bobbie Burnett, Vicksburg; William Lee & Sammie Russell, Carthage; Ken & Renee Cavin, Natchez; Dale & Evon Joiner, Carthage; Nancy & ln other action, BMMA met with the (ieorgia Retail Association to organize a coalition to fight a proposed cut in the vendor's comp tax. "Just as lien laws are the primary issue of BMMA, vendor's comp is a primary issue of the retailers' association and we will be an integral player in the process to stop any cuts," executive v.p. Erv Cioodroe said.

Billy Irby, Durant; Dwight & Gail Long, Union; Frank Bridges, Pear; Harry Carter, Greenwood; Hal Parker, Jackson.

By-laws committee: William Lee Russell, Curtis Seay, Julia Banks, James Burnett, Joe Alexander, Janette Breedlove, Nancy lrby, Dwight Long, Ken Morrris, Charles Patterson. Lien law committee: Clark Howell, chairman; James Burnett; Kenneth Breland; Ken Morris.

Building Material Merchants Association (Ga. & Al.) voted to establish a subcommittee to draft proposed changes to the constitution and bylaws to allow the membership to include all material and service suppliers in the construction industry.

This followed a report showing a decline in membership and only about 200/o of the current members participating in programs offered.

Lumbermen's Association of Texas will hold board and committee meetings in Laredo, Sept. l2-14.

Arkansas Young Lumbermen will hold their first meeting Oct. 12-13 in Eureka Springs, Ar., with the theme "Let's Talk Shop."

The steering committee is discussing a contest to be held among members to design a new organization logo.

Randy Thurman, T. H. Rogers Lumber Co., Siloam Springs, chairs the steering committee which includes vice chairman Michael Stevens, Whit Davis Lumber Plus, Jacksonville; Jim Parks, Cox Planing Mill & Lumber Co., Piggott, and John Rickert, CBM Building Materials, Bella Vista.

Carolinas-Tennessee Building Material Association will sponsor a top management conference Sept. I I at the Marriott Courtyard at Arrowood, Charlotte, N.C.

Kirk Sanford, an industry trainer and consultant with over I 7 years of management experience including Lowe's and working as executive vice president of JT's Home & Builders Center, is the workshop leader.

The program is planned to help owners and general, sales and operations managers develop a customerfocused strategy for profitable growth. Differences between strategy and tactics, what happens in a soft market, reactions and improving profitability will be discussed during the all day session.

Florida Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association's board of directors selected the Mission Inn in Howey-ln-The-Hills on Lake Harms for the 1992 summer conference, June l721.

Florida's Tlst annual convention and buying show, The Main Event, will be held at the Marriott World Center, Orlando, Sept. l5-17.

To encourage members to invite top contractor, architect and key industry customers to attend the buying show, the association is issuing cards for complimentary registration and admittance to The Main Event. Valued at $10, they allow admission during specified hours on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

The education committee will sponsor a sales management conference Nov. l-2 at association headquarters for dealer and associate members.

Kentucky Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association's executive vice president Billy Thompson is traveling the state visiting members and contacting former and potential members regarding the value of membership in the association.