ARIZONA CONVENTION

(Continued from page 58 )

Keith Lanning, president of the California Redwood Association, who noted that the industry is stronger for the changes of the last two decades and that today's product line was broader and more affordable than in the past. Since 1980, 540/o more redwood has been shipped to Arizona. By 2000 he foresees redwood production at twice todaY's pace. While there will be less clear heart old growth redwood, it will still be available, Lanning said. He pointed out that the CRA can help train industry people and that it has extensive supplies of redwood sales and technical literature.

Reviewing trends in home building in Southern Arizona, builder Saul Tobin, the next sPeaker, described the evolution from masonry home construction to wood since WWII. caused he said by changes in seismic codes and energy standards. But he warned the lumbermen that masonry was still a popular construction medium and that if lumber prices rose too much, wood frame construction could lose a sizable part of its market share.

Concurrent with the business session a ladies program was held featuring Mrs. Janaki Severy speaking on personality relationships and how they affect behavior. Part ofthe presentation involved a self-quiz to place each individual into a personality category. The well-received meeting was co-chaired by Mrs. Peggy Snavely and Mrs. Sue SPellman.

The keynote address was made at the following luncheon bY A. M. "Mickey" Whiting, chairman and president of Kaibab Industries. The

Arizona lumberman observed that the impact of foreign trade is felt by everyone. "We're in a world market and you must be sensitive to it," Whiting warned, adding that a new trade bill is due - "you can't duck it. "

Whiting forecast that interest rates will decline, that the two to three year trend "will be somewhat downward." Noting that there are more than 400 builders in MaricoPa County (Phoenix), he said "there are too many and You better watch who you sell."

Following an afternoon in the rightly famous Arizona desert sunshine, conventioneers devoted that evening to the fourth annual Wholesalers Extravaganza Night, which drew more than 350 peoPle. Winners of the major prizes at the extravaganza were Evelyn (Mrs. Nelson) Sembach of All-Coast Forest Products who won a weekend aboard the Ray Lumber Co. Yacht La Vida harbored in San Diego, Ca. The grand prize of a weekend aboard the Kaibab industries houseboat on Lake Powell was won by Dan McKean of Georgia-Pacific. The convention was held at the posh Loews Ventana Canyon resort, which overlooks Tucson.

Next day, three members of the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association began the final day's business session. Jerry Jewett, the current President, reviewed the makeup of "National," to which the Arizona association is federated. and described some of the programs and activities available.

Harlan Hummel, the exec. v.P., noted recent industry changes declaring that lumber dealers are "not a dying breed, we've changed and are the better for it." Hummel said

NLBMDA is planning a trade mission to Japan to study manufactured housing. He urged the dealers to support legislative activities through PACs, Political Action Committees' Jerry Walker, educational director, spoke on employee incentive Programs saying that the comPanY and its management must back them "100% to be successful." Walker said that despite the time and complexity involved, a well run Plan could make "a notable addition to the bottom line."

Len Ford of the Stanton CorP. described pre-employment questionnaires and how they can help prevent a company from hiring "high risk" workers. He noted that the tests measure attitudes towards honesty. He said marginal risk tYPes can be good employees with adequate supervision. Ford said there is a direct correlation between high drug use and dishonestY.

The final convention sPeaker was Mike Tetreau, Merrifield Consulting Group, who told how Productive employee relationships could aid a firm in establishing alternatives to selling solely on price, the least profitable method of retailing. "Without an effective service policy, you will be forced to sell on Price alone," he said. Tetreau related a number of steps that could be taken to convince customers that service is worth the extra cost.

New offrcers elected at the convention were: president Mike O'Malley; lst v.p. Dave RunYon; 2nd v.p. Tony Padilla; treasurer John Gaskin; member-at-large Dave Mason; and immediate past President Ray Lopp.

The 1988 convention willbe held at the new Crescent Hotel in Phoenix, May l2-14.

Th_is personal tribute to Dean Drake, a longtime supporter of the ALBSA. ts by that associalion's former exet.u_ tive vice president Fronk Davis, who retired several years ago and now does work as a lumber industry consultant. - editor.

DEAN DRAKE t9t7 - 1987

Dean Drake, as I knew him, was a versatile lumberman, dedicated to the lumber industrv. his chosen life prolession l]|0 [il10 ca||$ rt,ill| l||0

He knew how to manage men; he understood their strengths; he knew how to correct their weaknesses, he knew the real meanins of profit; he loved the wood indusl try; and had an extra sound knowledge of technical qualities of wooo.

He was a quiet-spoken man and only commented in meetings when he was sure of the subiect being discussed. He would come to the defense of a friend if he thought he were right.

He was a man who looked beyond - to the future to be sure The O'Malley Companies would remain a leader in the lumber and building material business.

Dean Drake was a man of sreat compassion and human uiderstanding, as evidenced by the respect every division manager and employee had for him.

He believed in a strong state and national association, contributing his time, and allowing the O'Malley management employees to be involved. Four O'MalleY managers served as President of the-Arizona Lumber and Builder's Supply Association. Dean served as president, l97l-72, and Provided the leadership as chairman of the Wood Promotion Committee, resulting in tremendous gains in the use of wood in frame construction versus masonrY in Arizona.

He loved golf and enjoYed helping his weekly foursome improve their game.

Carl Shurz wrote, "ldeals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with Your hands but like the seafaring man on the desert ofwaters, you choose them as your guide, and following them you reach your destiny."

Dean Drake died March 24, 1987. He had reached his destiny, climbed the mountain of success, reached the pinnacle and viewed the forests beyondtheir beautY he often talked about. He was one of the best in the profession he loved, and most of all he was respected nationwide bY fellow lumbermen.

Bt0PR0Hffi!