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DUANE BENNETT president of the Lumber Merchonts Associqtion of Northern Colifornio 4546 El Comino Reol, Suite 0 los Aftos, Callf.94022 l4t5l 941-1617

fT'S WITH great sentimental regret that ! one relinquishes a position as cherished as that of president of the Lumber Merchants Association of Northern Californiabut as you read these words a new man will hold this position and Iom certain he will do an excellent job for our industry.

Over the past year we have watched with concern the way the construction industry, and with it the building materials industry, have again taken the brunt of an o'economy cool-down." Perhaps this is necessarily so for construction, but it's hoped that building will get back to normal very soon.

Directing an organization like LMA is a Sreat opportunity for a person. He gets to meet many fine dealers and work with them on numerous projects developed to improve our industry. W'e all realize we can't accomplish much alone and it's this spirit of cooperation among {irms that really gets the job done.

Looking to the future one would have to say that our industry has both a challenge and commitment aheail. The challenge, as al' ways, is to survive in our chosen field. The commitment is to provide the necessary housing our customers need and demand.

I'm certain that each of us gives serious consideration to the many new developments occuring in our industrythe modules and the mobiles, the corporation builder, the rebuilding of our inner cities, etc. Perhaps it's difficult to determine tle exact role we wish to play in future construction, but we can't fail to keep thinking about it.

The Lumber Merchants Association with new officers and new exec. vp. is much aware of the new o'happenings" in our industry and will continue to provide dealers with information and advice on how to participate in them. I hope you will continue to give LMA the support and encouragement you have given me this past year. and I shall look forward to working with you again in the future.

LMA's New Executive VP

Announcement of the hiring of Harry Mendenhall as exec. vp. of the Lumber Nlerchants Association was made at the recent board of directors meeting. President Duane Bennett said that Mendenhall will join the association June 1, following his retire' ment from the U. S. At ny.

Mendenhall lives in Milpitas, Calif., and has spent his entire career in the service rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel. He is 46 and the father of five children. Mendenhall was introduced to members at the Monterey Convention, April 25-28. Complete coverage oI the convention will be in the June issue of The Merchant Magazine.