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Jack Lawrentz, owner of Westwood Lumber Co., Moraga, Ca., will close the l6-year-old business and retire this month after 46 years in the industry.

Michael Cooley has been promoted to chief operations officer at Cooley Industries, Phoenix, Az. Dean Winters is now general manager, and Ross CooleY will handle national sales development and product development.

Robert Massett, ex-Western Rebar Consulting, is now an engineered wood tech at Capital Lumber, Tacoma, Wa. Bill Young, exUniversal Forest Products, now provides product and sales support in Chino, Ca. Tracy Tomei is now an account mgr. in Healdsburg, Ca.

Mike McKanna has joined the sales staff of Spokane Forest Products, Spokane, Wa.

Randy Lilyengren, ex-Lumbermen's Buying Service, is new to sales at Coos Head Forest Products, Eugene, Or.

Aaron Anderson, ex-Pope & Talbot, is now v.p.-sales & marketing at Riley Creek, Sandpoint, Id., succeeding Paul Jorgensen, who retired Oct. 3l after 38 years in the industry.

Arnie Didier has retired as v.P. of Riley Creek Distribution, Denver, Co., and is now director of marketing & sales for the RockY Mountain Elk Foundation, Missoula, Mt.

Jane Uylake has been promoted to real estate mgr. for Pro-Build Holdings Inc., Denver, Co. Susan Plaza is now v.p.-total rewards.

Matt Dierdorff and Terry SimPson, ex-Ochoco International, are now with MFP of Oregon, Tualatin, Or.

Dinny Waters, ex-Activant, has relocated from California to New Hampshire to join Progressive Solutions Inc., Vancouver, B.C., responsible for bisTrack sales and account management in the Northeast.

Bill O'Banion is now in sales at Mason County Forest Products, Shelton, Wa.

Michael Dam has joined the sales team at Sunset Forest Products, Beaverton, Or.

Jim Hannan, president and chief operating officer, Georgia-Pacific Corp., Atlanta, Ga., has been Promoted to c.e.o. and president. He replaces Joe Moeller, who has returned to parent Koch Industries as vice chairman and a director. Dave Robertson, Koch president and c.o.o., assumes the role of G-P chairman from Moeller.

Dennis Scott has joined TyPar Weather Protection SYstem as western regional sales mgr. He is based in Salt Lake City, Ut.

Jim Partridge, Bonsal American, has been named territory sales mgr. for ProSpec in Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Idaho.

Dave Heine, ex-Do it Best, has joined Bluelinx, Atlanta, Ga., as a national account executive.

Jim Fielder, v.p. and general mgr., Simpson Door Co., McCleary, Wa., will retire in July 2008 and be succeeded by production mgr. Ted Jones.

Jay Banister has been named national green program mgr. for Eagle Roofing Products, Rfalto, Ca.

Michael G. Kahn has been appointed president and c.e.o. of DDK Industries, Los Angeles, Ca., and c.e.o. of its Opera Paint Co. division. Philippa Radon is now v.p. and chief colorist for Opera Paints.

Jeff Sturlaugson, Overhead Door Corp., Seattle, Wa., has been promoted to western regional mgr. for Genie Pro Sales Centers.

Kevin O'Meara has resigned as president and chief operating officer of Builders FirstSource, Dallas, Tx., the chain he co-founded in 1998.

Anne Frazer, v.p.-inventory planning & replenishment, and Roger Adams, chief marketing officer, have resigned from Home Depot, Atlanta, Ga. John Ross, v.p.-advertising, will serve as interim head of marketing.

Mark Ayers has been promoted to v.p. of marketing for the Masco Builder Cabinet Group.

Carlos Cardoso, president and c.e.o., Kennametal, has been elected to the board of directors for Stanley Works.

Chuck Anderson was named codes & industry affairs mgr. for American Architectural Association.

Les Weed is now in charge of antidrug programs at Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., according to co-owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.

PopTal Files Bankruptcy

Pope & Talbot, Portland, Or., has filed in Canada for bankruptcy protection from its creditors. Most of the company's operating assets are located in British Columbia. although it also has mills in Oregon and South Dakota.

"The company will use the protections of the (Canadian courts) to provide additional time for it to continue its restructuring efforts, which include, but are not limited to, the sale of certain or all of the company's assets," according to a statement released by the company. C.e.o. Harold Stanton said "this protection is a necessary and responsible step for the company at this time."

He added that the companywhich was founded in 1849 and has about 2,500 employees-would attempt to "continue operating as a going concern." Daily operations of the company are generating enough cash to allow it to continue operating while under court protection from creditors.

This latest action was blamed on low lumber prices, the strong Canadian dollar, and high prices for wood chips and sawdust. The company ended the second quarter with $354.9 million in debt, and was in default on its senior secured credit. In August, the company's shares were delisted from the New York Stock Exchange.

Three of its B.C. sawmills were closed for two weeks in October, to reduce inventories of unsold lumber products. Stanton said the "shutdowns were a necessary step to ensure the company's profitability during these difficult times."