The KFIA Annual Meeting serves as the premier event for the hardwood industry in Kentucky. The meeting got underway with a day of golf with 36 participants weathering the August heat and the KFIA Board of Directors taking care of association business followed by a Welcome Reception that was held in the evening.
On Wednesday morning KFIA President Dan Allard, Domtar Paper Co. LLC, opened the session followed with a legislative and association update provided by KFIA Executive Director Bob Bauer which included Hardwood Federation issues in Washington DC and the impact on the timber industry. Bauer also discussed the recently redesigned KFIA website (kfia.org) which is being redesigned to meet a wide range of membership needs while providing industry information to the public.
Tom Inman, President of Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc. (AHMI) provided an update on the Hardwood Promotion Coalition,this link is a video to provide you with the latest information from the Coalition and Mike Snow, Executive Director, American Hardwood Export Council provided information on hardwood export markets to close out the opening session. Click here to view Mr. Snow’s presentation. The opening session was followed by the Kentucky Tree Farm Awards Luncheon convened with guest speaker Kentucky Department of Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles highlighting the partnerships that are being developed with the wood products industry. Special presentations were made to those who have supported the industry and forestry in Kentucky.
The luncheon provides an opportunity to honor a wide range of individuals that help to make forestry and the wood industry a big success throughout the state. The following people were recognized for their contributions to forestry in Kentucky:
- Loyd Family Woodland Reserve Tree Farm, Wallingford, KY - 2019 Tree Farmer of the Year
- Brock Enterprises, Mayking, KY - 2019 Logger of the Year - Robert Bean, Central Region KY Division of Forestry, Campbellsville, KY- 2019 Inspector of the Year
- Hardwood Publishing, Memphis, TN - 2019 Communicator of the Year
Outgoing KFIA Board Members
- Mervin Strader, Strader Bros, LLC, Elkton, KY
- Dan Allard, Domtar Paper Co. LLC, Hawesville, KY
- Darryl Centers, Patterson Chip Co., Barbourville, KY
2020 Officers
- Dan Allard, Domtar Paper Co. LLC, Hawesville, KY
- George Crawford, Somerset Wood Products, Somerset, KY
- Amy Middleton, Diamond Forest Resources, Morehead, KY
Re-elected Directors:
- BPM Lumber LLC. - Lexington, KY
- American Woodmark - Monticello, KY
New elected Director:
- Maxwell Brothers Lumber - Lewisport, KY
As usual tradition, everyone enjoyed the Robinson Lumber Co. / Van Meter Insurance Hospitality Suite with great fellowship and networking opportunities. The day ended with the Exhibitor Reception which included plenty of time to see some of the latest technology and services being offered to the wood industry.
Thursday morning opened with a discussion on the hardwood lumber usage for cross laminated timber provided by Dr. Daniel Hindman, Extension Specialist from Virginia Tech University. That presentation was followed by Anthony Harvey, Kentucky Regional Director for WoodWorks-Wood Products Council discussing WoodWorks support for wood industry markets in Kentucky. The meeting concluded with Tim Hughes, Senior Trade Advisor for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture who discussed how the Department and the Kentucky Proud marketing program have been successful and offer a number of incentives to the wood industry to expand markets.
The meeting was a success even with lower attendance than normal. Those in attendance gained valuable information while having time to network with others in the hardwood industry from throughout the country.
KFIA is pleased to announce that the 2021 Annual Meeting will be in Lexington, KY at the Embassy Suites on April 6-8.
KFIA would like to thank our exhibitors for supporting our meeting and participating during these very trying times of a pandemic. Your cooperation and patience did not go unnoticed.
- High Point, NC T: (336) 885-8315
- Athens GA T: 912/655-1725
- Hudson NC T: 828/358-9920
- Louisville, KY T: 502/493-4212
- Memphis, TN T: 901/482-5644
- Omaha, NE T: 402/330-6620
- Summerfield, NC T: 336/643-9663
- Tompkinsville, KY T: 270/487-5891
- Westfield, IN T: 502/645-8535
- Louisville, KY T: 502/968-8104
- Somerset, KY T: 606/678-4891
- Frankfort, KY T: 502/782-9265
- Frankfort, KY T: 502/782-7167
- Frankfort, KY T: 502/695-3979
- Piketon, OH T: 740/835-7019
- Memphis, TN T: 901/372-8280
- Brewer, ME T: 800/777-6953
- Bradfordsville, KY T: 270/465-0192
- Philadelphia, PA T: 800/752-1895
- Corbin, KY T: 606/528-9440
- DuBois, PA T: 814/335-1839
- Buffalo, NY T: 716/833-9366
- Lexington, KY T: 859/257-7597
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