ASSOCIATION CONNECTIONS

A full house at the 2022 Panel & Engineered Lumber International Conference & Expo, Atlanta, GA Photo from Panel World

EWTA ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS IN ATLANTA AND WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

The 2022 spring EWTA Advisory Committee meeting was held in conjunction with PELICE (Panel & Engineered Lumber International Conference & Expo) on March 30, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. The meeting, led by Chair Chris Degnan, and the first in-person meeting in two years, provided an opportunity to hear updates on membership, finances, communication and research projects. During 2021, three committee representatives changed due to retirements or departures. Mark Aucoin with Hexion filled the position left open with Mark Clark’s move to another division, Bob Hadden with Samuel Strapping Systems filled the position left open with the retirement of Dave Gagnon, and John Baetz with Ashland Specialty Ingredients, now Bostik, filled the position left open with the retirement of Mark Vlaisavich. The 2022 EWTA budget, presented and approved by the APA Board of Trustees at their fall meeting, includes assumptions of a growth in membership and 75% of past Info Fair attendance and sponsorships. The 2022 budget will not dip into reserves, but includes a projected surplus of $61,350, ending the year with reserves of $285,498. Plans are underway for the 2022 APA Annual Meeting scheduled for Oct. 15 – 18, 2022, at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa in Aventura, Florida. The EWTA Advisory Committee meeting, as well as the EWTA Info Fair will be held in conjunction with that event.

Retirements announced

Dave Gagnon, Samuel Strapping Systems Group Dave Gagnon, North American Forest Industry Manager for Samuel Packaging Systems Group retired in April 2022 with nearly 45 years in Dave Gagnon the industry. His time with Samuel includes 22 years with Samuel Packaging in Western Canada, four years in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and 19 years in the U.S. South. In addition, Gagnon served on the EWTA Advisory Committee for 15 years. Mark Vlaisavich, Ashland Specialty Ingredients Mark Vlaisavich, Strategic Account Manager at Ashland, retired in November 2021 after more than 20 years in the engineered wood industry Mark Vlaisavich and 35 years with Ashland. Prior to his role in engineered wood adhesives, he was an account manager for Ashland Drew water treatment services. Vlaisavich served on the EWTA Advisory Committee for six years. Thank you, Dave and Mark, for your service and dedication to the wood industry, EWTA and APA. Congratulations on your retirement!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 2022 EWTA INFO FAIR

After a two-year pause due to global COVID restrictions, Info Fair 2022, held in conjunction with the APA Annual Meeting, will take place in sunny Florida. The event will be held at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa in Aventura, Florida from Oct. 15-18. Sponsorship details were sent to EWTA members in late April and includes four sponsorship levels – Diamond; Platinum; Gold and Silver, with additional opportunities to sponsor the golf or tennis tournaments. Exhibit registration opens in late May, with the APA meeting registration available in August. For information, visit www.engineeredwood.org and click on Events and Programs, or contact Events Coordinator Emily Houg at events@ apawood.org.

New Trustee joins APA Board

Two new members have been elected to the APA – The Engineered Wood Association Board of Trustees, filling vacancies created by changing roles and departures. Jimmy Mason, LP Executive Vice President of OSB

Jimmy Mason, LP Executive Vice President of OSB, is filling the vacancy created when Jason Ringblom changed positions within LP. Mason joined LP in 2006 and assumed the role as head of the OSB business in 2022. He has over 20 years of manufacturing operations and leadership

experience. Prior to joining LP, Mason held positions with International Paper and Milliken & Company. Matt Tobin, West Fraser Vice-President Matt Tobin, West Fraser Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, started at West Fraser in the Canadian lumber sales group and has 16 years of progressive experience, predominantly Jimmy Mason in Canadian lumber. Tobin is filling the seat left open with Mark DuboisPhillips’ departure.

Matt Tobin

MOVING

forwarD