Education Spotlight

Congratulations to the Graduates of the 196th Class of the NHLA Inspector Training School

First row (sitting) L to r: Tanner Brown, Travis Groth, Roman, Jeremy Jeffries, Chun Ta Ko. second row (standing) L to r: Jonathan Swan, Greg Roehl, Lance Crump, Ryley Bennett, Addison Conway, Chris Amos and Brady Antons.

The National Hardwood Lumber Association celebrated the graduation of the 196th class of the Inspector Training School on November 5, 2021. Eleven students completed the 8-week Program.

Dana Spessert, NHLA Chief Inspector and ITS Dean of Education, welcomed and thanked the families, friends, and employers who supported the students during their time away from home.

Instructor Roman Matyushchenko addressed the students, telling them, “So many graduates of this School have become owners, presidents, and managers of the companies they worked for after graduation. You have all the chance to find long-term careers in this great industry. I wish you good luck in the future.” congratulated the graduates and told them, “You came here because someone believed in you: your family, your employer. You completed the course because you believed in yourself. What you do with it now is up to you. As you move forward in your careers, find your feet, have confidence in yourself, and have confidence in your training.”

Tanner Brown with B & B Lumber Co. was elected class president. He spoke to his fellow students during the ceremony saying, “I’d like to thank my grandpa, sitting in the first row, for giving me the opportunity to come to this School, join this business, and start my career. To class 196, I hope that we all continue to see each other in our daily lives and work even though we live just about everywhere. I’ve loved spending the last eight weeks with you guys. It has been downright amazing every single day.

“I’d like to thank my grandpa, sitting in the first row, for giving me the opportunity to come to this School, join this business, and start my career.” — Tanner Brown, Class President

Graduates of the 196th class were:

• Chris Amos, J. Gibson McIlvain Co. • Brady Antons, Kendrick Forest Products • Ryley Bennett, Billsby Lumber Company • Tanner Brown, B & B Lumber • Addison Conway, Superior Hardwoods of Ohio, Inc. • Lance Crump, Hartzell Hardwoods, Inc. • Travis Groth, Kendrick Forest Products • Jeremy Jeffries, Tuscarora Hardwoods, Inc. • Chun Ta Ko (Nick), Independent • Greg Roehl, Willenburg Hardwood Industries, Inc. • Jonathan Swan, Battle Lumber Co., Inc. Roman Matyushchenko presented the individual achievement awards.

Outstanding individual awards recipients were as follows: • Greg Roehl, ITS Educational Foundation Award for Highest

Overall Average • (Tie) Jeremy Jeffries, Howard Hanlon Award for Second Highest

Overall Average • (Tie) Tanner Brown, Howard Hanlon Award for Second Highest

Overall Average • Addison Conway, Westside Hardwood Club Award for Highest

Board Run Average • Greg Roehl, The Milt Cole and NHLA Award for Best Attitude/

Citizenship • Chun Ta Ko (Nick), The Willard Scholarship

Enrollment is now open for the 197th class, which begins at NHLA headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, on January 10, 2022. To enroll or learn more about the program, please visit www.nhla.com.