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Pallet C e nt ral • July -Aug u st 2 0 26 1 1 at's the conversation we wanted to have." Her message to companies like Girard is straightforward: stay engaged. Pick up the phone, send an email, visit the office. Strickland and her staff actively encourage constituents to reach out, whether through her D.C. office, her district staff, or her website. An Industry That Touches Every Other For Strickland, the most striking takeaway from her time at Girard wasn't a single piece of equipment or a single product line. It was the realization of just how many other businesses depend on what gets built on Girard's floor. "e fact that so many other businesses rely on Girard's services for their own operations is impressive," she said. "It underscores just how connected our local businesses are to one another here at home and across the country." She framed Girard's role in plain, neighborly terms. "Businesses like Girard are the backbone of our region. ey're not just suppliers. ey're neighbors, friends, and partners who make it possible for our local farms and factories to get their goods to market." en came the line that anchors any conversation about pallets and commerce: "Ninety percent of our nation's cargo moves on pallets, and because [pallets are] rooted right here in our community, they bring flexibility and commitment that keep our supply chains running smoothly, sustainably, and reliably." Vipond echoed the point from the operator's side. "When you walk our floor, you're walking through pieces of dozens of supply chains," he said. "Food, agriculture, manufacturing. If it moves through American commerce, odds are it sat on a pallet along the way." What stood out beyond the operations was the team itself. "Girard is impressive in many ways, but it starts with the people who work there," Strickland said. "Its history as a family-owned business, enduring partnerships, strategic investments, and the close-knit team environment stand out. Girard has many seasoned employees who truly enjoy their work." A Voice For Working Forests Representing the Pacific Northwest and companies like Girard comes with a particular set of policy considerations, and forestry sits high on Strickland's list. "My work on forestry to date recognizes that timber is a precious renewable resource that creates jobs and helps forest ecosystems," she said. "I know that we can advance environmental stewardship and smarter land management practices while also having working, renewable forests." at framing aligns naturally with the wood packaging industry's own sustainability story, where reuse, recycling, and responsible sourcing have long been part of the value proposition. In a Congress where forestry policy can be politically fraught, a thoughtful, regionally rooted voice on working forests is a real asset for the sector. A District That Looks Like The Country Washington's 10th Congressional District is a microcosm of the broader American economy. "My district is urban, rural, and suburban," Strickland said. "We have our scenic mountains and waterways, but we also have our metro areas and city centers. We have our mega-businesses headquartered here, but we also have a lot of thriving small businesses as well." at mix has shaped how she approaches federal policy. "is variety has helped me build perspective in crafting policy that understands that America, like Washington state, is unique and diverse in every sense of the word." Strickland's approach is pragmatic. Stay competitive, she argues, by pairing sensible tax policy with the public investments that let workers thrive. "Making sure that our domestic and local businesses stay competitive means examining tax policies and ensuring that workers can enjoy a good quality of life," she said. at includes a strong housing supply, reliable transportation, good schools, and safe communities. Strickland has quickly achieved tangible results. Since taking office, she has secured nearly $50 million in direct project funding for her community and made small business support a signature focus, " just like I did when I was President and CEO of the Seattle Chamber." Her recent legislative work reflects the same priorities. e Investments in Innovation Act, which she introduced this Congress, is aimed at strengthening the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program and channeling more capital into minority-owned small businesses. She has also helped secure a 3.8% pay raise for servicemembers in the latest defense policy bill and continues working to restore military families' housing allowance to 100%. A Steady Hand For The Industry In a moment when manufacturers are navigating tariff uncertainty, workforce gaps, and shifting supply chain dynamics, the wood packaging industry benefits enormously from having members of Congress who not only listen but who arrive in the room already speaking the language of business. Rep. Marilyn Strickland is one of those members. Woodpack Global is grateful to Rep. Strickland for taking the time to walk Girard's floor, ask thoughtful questions, and bring the realities of wood packaging into the conversations she'll have on Capitol Hill. Her visit is exactly the kind of engagement that turns federal policy into something practical, grounded, and useful for the people doing the work. Kate Doherty serves as Director of Government Affairs at Woodpack Global and manages the association's Political Action Commiee, PalletPAC. She can be reached at kate@woodpackglobal.org or 703.519.6104.

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