Allvantagcs Aduertising System

NLBMDA 68th Annual

Dean Leaman, Roscnberg, Tx., was elected president of the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association at its 68th annual convention, Oct. 3l - Nov. 4 at the Fairmont Hotel, New Orleans, La.

President of Home Building and Lumber Company, he succeeds William R. Morrow who became chairman of the board.

Other officers elected were: first vice president, Patrick McCormick; second vice president, Gerald A. Jewett, Jr.; treasurer, Earl T. Carpenter, and secretary and executive vice president, John M. Martin.

Regional vice presidents elected included William Morton, Home Lumber, Hatard, Ky., and E. L. "Al" Newkirk, Chandler Lumber Co., Van Nuys, Ca.

J. P. Bolduc, senior vice president of W. R. Grace & Co., opened the convention with a litany of recommendations which, if followed by Congress and Federal agencies, would improve the efficiency of government and greatly assist in reducing the nation's federal deficit. Bolduc served as c.o.o. of President Reagan's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control, which was chaired by J. Peter Grace, chairman of the board of W. R. Grace & Co.

In a dramatic look toward the balance of the decade of the eighties, Robert J. Day, president and c.o.o. of the United States Gypsum Co., predicted an overall growth in housing production, increased volume in do-it-yourself building activity, and an ever greater need for management efficiencies at both the manufacturing and the retail levels. In his "Focus '85" presentation, Day stressed the importance of being sure that government maintained its posture that housing is a cornerstone of this country's economic system.

Delegates heard forecasts on interest rates and availability of mortgage money by James Christian, chief economist of the U. S. League of Savings Institutions. A three hour session headed by Dr. William Slaughter concentrated on the importance of retailers strategically planning ahead to be able to compete in a market of high volume and tough competition.