Newsletter

The Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) Board of Directors has appointed Eric Gee to serve as Executive Director. Eric succeeds Tami Kessler, who retired after a 44-year career with the association.       Eric began his wood industry career in Jackson, Mississippi with James M. Vardaman & Company where he worked as a consulting forester. He joined […]

On Friday, March 5, the completion of Westervelt Lumber’s Thomasville, Ala., mill was celebrated. Westervelt Lumber is an SFPA Manufacturer Member. The first load of lumber left the facility, purchased by Great Southern Wood Preserving, an SFPA Associate Member. Brian Luoma, President and CEO of The Westervelt Company, was on hand for the event, saying […]

SFPA Associate Member Robinson Lumber Company has promoted Chad Hammonds to Manager of its Southern Yellow Pine Division. Chad joined the Robinson Lumber family in September of 2016, as a Sales Executive in the Export Division. In the past 4 years, Chad has proven to be a valuable leader at the company. His contributions to […]

The Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) Board of Directors elected its 2021 slate of officers during its annual meeting which took place virtually on December 9, 2020.  They are Chairman Craig Forbes of Weyerhaeuser Company; Vice Chair Will Lampe of Lampe & Malphrus Lumber Company; and Treasurer Mark Richardson of The Westervelt Company. The Board […]

On April 12, 2021, attendee registration housing blocks will open for the 36th Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition – EXPO 2021. This three-day event will be held in person from August 11-13, 2021 at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center. Advance attendee registration will be available on SFPAexpo.com starting on April 12, and costs just […]

Save the date and join the American Softwoods Latin America’s virtual event March 2-4 for three days of talks with international experts, including SFPA Executive Director Eric Gee. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet distributors and get to know the new trends in wood construction. Each day’s sessions run from 10:00 – 2:00 (CTS) Mexico […]

The Softwood Lumber Board (SLB or Board) seeks nominations of softwood lumber manufacturers and importers interested in candidacy for Board seats coming open in January 2022. Each Director will serve a three-year term and may serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms. The deadline for nominations is April 20, 2021. The SLB is seeking nominees […]

American Softwoods was represented in-person at the Taipei Building Show in mid-December 2020. Taiwan has been successful in containing the COVID-19 virus, allowing business operations and trade shows to continue. Although U.S.-based representatives were unable to attend due to international travel restrictions, local contractors were hired to staff the booth and survey visitors. The show […]

After serving the southern pine industry for nearly 45 years with the Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA), Tami Kessler will retire on April 2, 2021.  Tami began her life-long career with SFPA after graduating from Soule Business College in December 1976, joining the association as Secretary to the Forest Resource Division. Her path to Executive Director began as she moved into SFPA’s Accounting Department following the retirement of Elsie Wichterich. In […]

Ben Crim, Vice President of Engineering & Environmental Management for Hood Industries, is set to retire at the end of this month after a 30-year career with the wood products manufacturer and distributor.  Hood Industries is an SFPA Lumber Manufacturer Member, and Ben Crim was active with SFPA and served on SFPA Expo Committee for […]