ASSOCIATION CONNECTION Board Holds Historic Meeting, Installs New Leaders Welcome MLA

The Northwestern Lumber Association Board of Directors convened in Bloomington, Minnesota, on Aug. 23, 2023, for its annual fall meeting. The board reviewed the organization’s performance for the 2022/23 membership year, reviewed plans for 2023/24 and took two historic actions. The board signed documents to officially merge with Mid-America Lumbermens Association and confirmed the rebrand of NLA to BLD Connection.

At the annual Board Installation Dinner, 2022/23 Chairman of the Board Lynn Trask of Spahn & Rose/Moeller & Walter in Reinbeck, Iowa, gave his final address and handed over the Chairman’s Gavel to Brian Wendt of Anita Supply Center in Anita, Iowa. Wendt also presented Trask with his Chairman’s Plaque, commemorating Trask’s service as the first two-term chairman of the association in more than 40 years.

Three directors completed their terms and were honored by the board for their service to the association:

• Minnesota Director: Sunny Bowman, Dakota County Lumber Co., Farmington, Minnesota.

• Iowa Director: Jim McGrew, Suburban Lumber Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

• Associate Director: Mark Cassidy, Empire Moulding & Millwork. The following members were installed as new officers and directors to the board:

• Chairman of the Board: Brian Wendt, Anita Supply Center, Anita, Iowa

• 1st Vice Chairman: Scott Enter, wRight Lumber & Millwork, Buffalo, Minnesota

• 2nd Vice Chairman, Adam Hendrix, Chic Lumber Co., St. Peters, Missouri

• Minnesota Director: Brian Klimek, Hilltop Lumber Co., Alexandria, Minnesota

• Iowa Director: Brent Schneider, Spahn & Rose Lumber Co., Dubuque, Iowa

• MLA Director: Brett Thorne, Thorne Lumber Co., Chillicothe, Missouri

• MLA Director: Hatch McCray, McCray Lumber & Millwork, Kansas City, Kansas

• Associate Director: Nate Hanson, Simpson Strong-Tie

Thank you to our board members for their service, and welcome to our new officers and directors.

Following more than four years under a management relationship and with the goal of ensuring the longevity of the association and its membership for years to come, the Mid-America Lumbermens Association (MLA) and Northwestern Lumber Association merged under the new BLD Connection name effective Sept. 1, 2023.

With the addition of building material dealers and suppliers from Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri, BLD Connection now serves more than 1,800 retail locations and 150 suppliers/vendors.

“This is an exciting announcement for our members and all the dealers and suppliers that have supported our region over the years,” said MLA President Brett Thorne. “Together, we are expanding our community and increasing the opportunities for growth and support that our retailers require. We are excited to officially join NLA and continue to build a thriving industry!”

NLA Chairman of the Board Lynn Trask said, “We could not be more excited for this next chapter for our organization. Our members are continually working to ensure the longevity of local retail in their communities, and this merger provides a stronger network, additional stability and a larger voice that will allow all members to thrive.”

As part of the merger, all MLA members in good standing received membership in BLD Connection until Sept. 30, 2023. BLD Connection will continue to produce the region’s annual events, including the Swing into Spring and Sunflower Shootout. BLD Connection will also continue to offer educational programming and provide field support via a dedicated regional field manager.