Education Spotlight

Congratulations to the Graduates of the 193rd Class of the NHLA Inspector Training School

Seated Row (L-R): Sean D. Powell, Roman Matyushchenko (Instructor), Benjamin Nicholas Todd Standing Row (L-R): Michael Andrew Snider, Austin Andrew Wuesten

The National Hardwood Lumber Association celebrated the graduation of the 193rd class of the Inspector Training School on Friday, November 20, 2020. Four students completed the 12-week traditional 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.

Gary Snider, a graduate from ITS Class #96 in July of 1988, gave the keynote address. He congratulated the graduates and challenged them to take what you’ve learned at NHLA Inspector Training School and apply it in an industry at a company where you can not only make a difference but where you can grow as an individual.

Gary Snider’s son, Michael Andrew Snider, was elected class president. He spoke to his fellow students during the ceremony saying, “My grandfather built an amazing career through the lessons he learned at NHLA Inspector Training School, and he laid the foundation for my father and my uncle to come here and also build great careers. I have no words to explain how proud I feel that I’ve been able to carry on the legacy of being a lumber inspector

My grandfather built an amazing career through the lessons he learned at NHLA Inspector Training School, and he laid the foundation for my father and my uncle to come here and also build great careers. I have no words to explain how proud I feel that I’ve been able to carry on the legacy of being “ a lumber inspector and being trained by the great minds at this School.”

and being trained by the great minds at this School. I hope that one day I can give back to the NHLA all the things it has given my family and me over the course of the past three generations on Snider.”

GRADUATES OF THE 193RD CLASS WERE:

• Sean Powell, sponsored by B&B Sawmill • Michael Andrew Snider, Independent • Nick Todd, T.J. Moss Lumber • Austin Wuesten, Superior Hardwood, LLC

Roman Matyushchenko presented the individual achievement awards.

Outstanding individual awards recipients were as follows:

• Michael Andrew Snider, ITS Educational

Foundation Award for Highest Overall

Average

• Benjamin Nicholas Todd, Howard Hanlon Award for Second Highest Overall Average

• Michael Andrew Snider, Westside Hardwood Club Award for Highest Board Run Average

• Sean D. Powell, NHLA Award for Best

Attitude/Citizenship

• Austin Andrew Wuesten, Lumberman’s Club of Memphis Most Improved Award

• Michael Andrew Snider, Willard

Scholarship Award

Enrollment is now open for the 195th class, which begins at NHLA headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, on June 14, 2021. To enroll or learn more about the program, please visit www.nhla.com.