Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/819351
As I start my duties as the new NWPCA Chair, I would like everyone to know how honored I am to embark upon this challenge. I love this organization and the people involved with it. I am energized by what we have accomplished and know that together, there are no limits to where we can go. This year's Annual Leadership Conference (ALC) was truly inspiring. We had a great venue, dynamic speakers, and an awareness that our hard work and money are making a real difference. I had the chance to catch up with many old friends and meet new ones. New faces are confirmation that our mission is clear and critical. Our global reach continues to grow and strengthen. We had a record eleven countries represented at the ALC. During the conference, I had the privilege of attending the Global Forum. With representation from North America, Europe, Africa and Australia, it was evident that everyone is facing many of the same issues as the U.S. We are working together across the globe to protect our interests in the wood packaging industry, and there are no limits on what we can accomplish. My hat goes off to the staff for the coordination and execution of such an ambitious event. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication. Your efforts make all our conferences the enjoyable experiences they are. As an industry, we had some great victories this year. We managed to shut down the "Oregon" bill favoring cardboard pallets over wooden pallets to certain market segments. PDS-designed pallets now have USDA BioPreferred® status. We worked with our member partners to get ahead of a fire code that would have drastically reduced the storage of pallets. We experienced a true field to fork event with the Valley Pallet plant/field tour. Lastly, we held one of our most successful Congressional Fly-Ins to date. Four congressmen and one senator spoke to us at our reception. We have a voice, and it is being heard. As for this year, I do not see anything slowing us down. Our chairs have stepped up their game. Desire drives success, and we have some very ambitious items in the works. From industry and market studies to another Congressional Fly-In on June 20-21, 2017 – the momentum is ours. Stay active, and let's continue to make our industry better for our families. Sincerely, Shane Thompson, WestWind Logistics, LLC NWPCA Chairman P U B L I S H E D B Y T H E N A T I O N A L W O O D E N P A L L E T & C O N T A I N E R A S S O C I A T I O N BOARD OFFICERS Chairman Shane Thompson, WestWind Logistics, LLC Chairman-Elect Larry Howell, Cottondale Wood Products Past Chair Steve Mazza, Bettaway Pallet Systems Secretary/Treasurer Jordan Piland, Atlas Pallets/A Div. of Williamsburg Millwork Corp. Director at Large Terry Rodino, Recycled New Pallets President/CEO Brent J. McClendon, CAE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Carolyn Beach-Skinner, Westside Pallet, Inc. Peter Berry, Berry Industrial Group, Inc. Clint Binley, Pallets Incorporated Hamlet Fort, Edwards Wood Products David Grimes, Pallet Resources of NC, Inc. Mike Hachtman, reLogistics Services, LLC Bernie Kamps, Kamps, Inc. Jeff Lewis, Atlanta Pallets & Services Frank Shean, Valley Pallet, Inc. Robert Trexler, Pasadena Skid & Pallet, Inc. Howe Wallace, PalletOne, Inc. Jimmy Wilson, Bay Wood Products, Inc. International Director John Dye, Scott Pallets Associate's Representative Jeff Williams, PRS Group, Inc. International Director Emeritus Jan Fredell, Fredells Travaru AB NWPCA 6 PalletCentral • March-April 2017 palletcentral.com 2017 SEASON SPONSORS Kiln-Direct.com tel: 910-259-9794 | kiln-direct.com Mid Continent Nail Corporation tel: 800-867-6245 | magnumfasteners.com Pallet Machinery Group tel: 540-644-9220 | palletmachinery.com Pendu Manufacturing, Inc. tel: 717-354-4348 | pendu.com Profile Technology, Inc. tel: 800-369-4242 | profiletech.com Smart Products tel: 800-401-0099 | smartproductsinc.com Viking Engineering & Development tel: 800-328-2403 | vikingeng.com CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE New Energies, New Direction