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PalletCentral • July-August 2022 11 Hallie Fuchs is manager, public affairs. She also helps manage the NWPCA Political Action Committee for the Association. She may be reached at hfuchs@palletcentral. com or by calling 703.519.6104. federal representatives got the wooden pallet industry the critical infrastructure designation that allowed plants and facilities to remain open during the pandemic. e Government Affairs Committee has also gained more passionate members who want to participate in growing the pallet industry's reputation and voice on the Hill. Next year, we will host another congressional fly-in and connect more NWPCA members with legislators to directly advocate on behalf of the industry. As always, we welcome conversations with members, either in person, by phone, at the ALC, during the Fall Plant Tour, or by engaging in our Zoom bi-monthly Government Affairs committee meetings. If you would like to get more involved, please email us your concerns on policy or participate in the committee meeting. With so many methods of communication, we're excited to hear from you and get our messages to the folks in DC . NWPCA Welcomes Fernando César López Bello to the Board of Directors Ing. Fernando César López Bello, Losifra, S.A. de C.V, has been elected as new international member of the NWPCA Board of Directors. The appoint- ment was unanimous by the NWPCA Board members during their recent meeting in June. The NWPCA ByLaws allow the Board to elect a successor to fill the unexpired portion of the term for any vacancy among the Directors, as was the case with the unfortu- nate passing of Jan Fredell last year. "The directors and I are proud to welcome Fernando as a new international board member," said Brent McClendon, president & CEO. "His expertise will add tremendous value to the organization as we expand our membership base and market opportunities in Mexico." "25 years ago, I affiliated Losifra to the NWPCA, as I wanted my company to enjoy the benefits of being a member of the longest-standing and most professional wooden packaging asso- ciation [in the world], an industry that I am so passionate about," commented Ing. Fernando López Bello. "Now, 25 years later, I am grateful to have the opportunity to give back, with my work and experience, to the association and its members as a member of the Board and president of the Mexican chapter. I will work side by side with the entire NWPCA team to consolidate our industry in the place it deserves." Ing. Fernando López Bello is the president & founder of Losifra. He is a trained engineer who worked in the appliances industry for seven years before entering the wooden pallet and packaging business in 1989. In 1992, Losifra moved its operations to the Bajío Region, setting up shop in Querétaro. Losifra has expanded its operations and has two manufacturing plants and one service center in Querétaro; Losifra Chiapas (border with Guatemala) will open later this year. We are using the messages as catalysts to focus on the supply chain issue, sustainability, forestry, and related legislation. We have been boots-on-the-ground around the Hill, attending events to connect with leaders and heading into the halls of the Senate for meetings with congressional staffers.

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