WORKING TOGETHER

The holiday season, both wonderful and stressful all at the same time. There are so many requirements for our time and attention. I am grateful that Thanksgiving comes first. It helps me calibrate the entire season before I get overwhelmed by all the requirements.

Thanksgiving is a time to pause and think of what we are all thankful for.

Having just returned from the annual fall board meeting in Memphis, I am thankful for the NHLA staff and leadership and thankful for the board members.

The fall board meeting had an energetic and proactive feel to it. Board members were engaged in their committees, staff was energized and Dallin, our new executive director was providing new and exciting leadership to the agenda.

The convention committee is finalizing plans for the Louisville convention, which will be amazing, and they are also discussing future locations and events. The inspector training school and education committee has developed new ideas to bring additional students to our school and webinar topics for membership to get involved in. The promotion committee is investigating a new computer interface system to help easily bring promotional materials directly to all our employees so we can share with them how amazing our industry is! The inspection services committee is enthused to roll out more opportunities for yield studies and quality control inspections. Get signed up with Dana before all the slots are full! Lastly, the communications and marketing committee continues to provide innovative and creative ways to reach new members, new students, and new convention attendees!

During the full board meeting, there was discussion and updates on the Real American Hardwood Coalition and the Hardwood Federation and PAC. Dana Cole provided the update on those two topics, her tireless enthusiasm for our industry is very impressive.

The full board meeting also included an update on the NHLA strategic planning process. This impressive process is being led by Dallin and is hitting its stride digging into some of the tough questions regarding NHLA focus and foundation.

I have taken the time to explain what each committee is working on, and what was discussed at the full board meeting not to just take up space in my letter but to highlight how many people are involved and are taking their time to think and provide input and leadership regarding the future of our industry. I have been to several board meetings, and I always come away thinking how impressed I am by the willingness of our fellow industry partners to be an active part