Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1414289
8 PalletCentral • September-October 2021 palletcentral.com INSIDENWPCA NWPCA Announcements and Upcoming Events NWPCA Announces Jason Ortega as New Vice President, Public Affairs B rent McClendon, President and CEO of NWPCA is excited to announce Jason Ortega, JD/MBA, as Vice President, Public Affairs. In this position, Jason directs NWPCA's federal advocacy program, builds national and state-level relationships with other forest industry and supply chain partners, and manages the association's Political Action Committee. "At this important juncture for our industry and the global economy, Jason's experience will help us proactively seek new opportunities to advance our advocacy efforts and develop new partnerships to drive more value to our members and grow our industry," said McClendon. Mr. Ortega joins NWPCA from Lobbyit, a D.C.-based government affairs firm, where he most recently served as Vice President. "I have spent most of my life working for small businesses," said Mr. Ortega. "I've worked on a farm, in construction, at a wholesale restaurant food supplier, and as an advocate for industry associations comprised of small- and medium-sized businesses. Mr. Ortega holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Southern Adventist University and a JD/MBA from The Ohio State University and is fluent in Spanish. Contact Jason at jortega@palletcentral.com. NWPCA Staff Visits Members in Colorado I n August, Brent McClendon, NWPCA President & CEO, and NWPCA's newest team member, Jason Ortega, Vice President of Public Affairs, visited several NWPCA member facilities in the Denver area. Special thanks to L & R Pallet, 48forty Solutions, and Anderson Pallet and Crate for their generous hospitality. Over the past 18 months, each company has done a tremendous job serving its customers and managing supply shortages, despite some ongoing challenges. Each shared how the labor crisis has impacted them and their continued efforts to recruit and retain quality employees. Hearing firsthand about these and other issues greatly helps staff shape their work and priorities in the coming months. As NWPCA staff, we appreciate every opportunity to visit our members and learn from you. Your candor and insights help us to serve you and this industry better. NWPCA at CMA, Discussion on Sustainability B rent McClendon, NWPCA President & CEO, moderated a panel discussion on August 5 during the Council of Manufacturing Associations (CMA) 2021 Summer Leadership Conference in Colorado Springs. The CMA membership consists of leading U.S. manufacturing associations, and Brent serves on the CMA Board of Advisors. Brent presented and then facilitated a discussion on how associations lead in their respective sector's efforts to increase sustainability. He highlighted how NWPCA and the Pallet Foundation's research identified a 95% recovering/recycling rate for our industry, how our Environmental Product Declaration initiative confirmed we have a potential 'net positive' carbon footprint, and identified ways our membership is improving the overall sustainability of the supply chain through the use of new technology, processes, and innovative solutions.