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Pallet C e nt ral • May -Ju ne 2 0 25 43 T he Pallet Foundation has long been a driving force in advancing the wooden pallet industry, funding research, education, and sustainability initiatives that ensure the industry's growth and success. is year, the Foundation trustees welcome a new Chair, Kathleen Dietrich of Commercial Pallet & Lumber, whose passion and dedication to the industry are both inspiring and impactful. Under her leadership, the Foundation is poised for great achievements. Kathleen's journey in the pallet industry began when she was just 19 years old. Looking for a way to pay for college, she responded to a job posting in Merchant Magazine for a receptionist position at Commercial Lumber Company. At the time, the company had just launched its pallet division, and Kathleen quickly immersed herself in the business, leveraging her knowledge of board footage calculations to secure the role. What started as a job to cover tuition soon turned into a lifelong career. "I was hooked," Kathleen recalls. "Landing a job on the ground floor and watching the growth was incredible. e people in this industry are what kept me engaged. I was fortunate to work alongside a strong team and had a father who always told me I could do anything I set my mind to. As the company expanded from nine employees to over 75 in my first year, I embraced every opportunity to contribute to our success." at drive and enthusiasm have defined Kathleen's career. Over the years, she has taken a deep interest in technology and legislative developments, ensuring that the pallet industry remains at the forefront of innovation and policy discussions. She is also passionate about succession planning, mentoring young professionals, and creating opportunities for the next generation of industry leaders. AN ENTIRELY NEW CLASS OF TRIM SAW MaxBoardFeet.com 434 . 525 . 2292 SOMETHING BIG IS COMING TO PALLET CUT STOCK PRODUCTION Call Us About How We Can Help You Make the Max Board Feet

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