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8 Pallet C e nt ral • May -Ju ne 2 0 25 I t is an incredible honor to serve as the new Chair of the NWPCA Board. As part of a family business that has been deeply rooted in this industry for over 50 years, I have witnessed firsthand the strength, resilience, and innovation that define our members. My company, Hinton Lumber Products, based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has been a proud part of this industry for generations. My brother, Larry, had the privilege of serving as Board Chair in 2018, and I am honored to carry forward our family's commitment to this great industry and its future. First and foremost, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our members and past leaders. Your dedication and vision have shaped the NWPCA into what it is today. I continue to draw inspiration from your hard work and leadership, and I am excited about what we can accomplish together. e wooden pallet and container industry is at the heart of the global supply chain, and we are facing new and evolving challenges. Regulatory pressures related to EUDR and PPWR, workforce development, and emerging technologies are reshaping our landscape. However, one thing remains constant: our ability to adapt, innovate, and collaborate. I am particularly excited about the opportunities ahead, including our focus on artificial intelligence and how it can help our businesses grow and thrive. NWPCA is not only a national leader, actively engaged in Washington, DC, but also a global thought leader when it comes to transport packaging. With members in 41 countries and marketing partnerships spanning five regions, our influence continues to expand. My experiences visiting pallet mills across Europe, Central America, and South America have given me valuable insight into both the opportunities and challenges we face. Seeing the most advanced production facilities, as well as those still evolving, has reinforced my belief that shared knowledge and collaboration will be key to our continued success. We've listened to you. rough your input, we have developed a strategic plan to ensure every member has the tools and resources needed to succeed. e plan focuses on the following four goal areas (read the full plan at PalletCentral.com/AboutUs): • Pallet Design System™ • Public Affairs and Advocacy • Membership Engagement and Education • Global Position Your involvement is what drives this association forward, and we are committed to providing even greater opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. One of our greatest strengths as an association is our members. I encourage you to get involved, join a committee, engage in discussions, and help shape the future of our industry. Your voice matters, and together, we are stronger. I am incredibly excited for the year ahead. ank you for your support, your commitment, and for being part of this great industry. Sincerely, Hinton Howell Hinton Lumber Products, NWPCA Board Chair A Vision for Our Future A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN A Li le About Me I spend my week traveling for work, but on the weekend, you can find me on my family farm, where I am passionate about conservation. Spending time on the farm is where I feel most at peace. Eradicating invasive species, planting crops for wildlife, riding horses, hunting, and, most importantly, spending time with my family is the needed rest for the following week. My happy place is on a tractor, listening to Dead & Company on the weekends. I like to tell people this time is my therapist for life, and the combination of good music, open fields, and hard work bring me a sense of balance.

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