FRA’s 91st Annual Meeting, in conjunction with the Southeast Region Spring Meeting, took place from May 5 to May 7 and drew over 150 members and friends to Miramar Beach, FL, for networking, committee work, educational sessions, and the governance decisions that will guide the Association through the coming year. The presentations we have permission to share can be found by clicking HERE and can also be found on the Resources page of the FRA website, forestresources.org. You will need to be signed in as a member to access the presentations; for assistance with access, please email Vanessa Connelly at [email protected].

Throughout the FRA Annual Meeting, members heard insights from a slate of dynamic speakers:

Mark Rourke, President and CEO, Schneider, shared a presentation titled “Schneider’s Connection to the Pulp and Paper Industry,” giving a history of Schneider and insights into his journey to becoming CEO. He also explored key opportunities and challenges within the trucking industry, including workforce dynamics, regulatory impacts, tariff uncertainty, and nuclear lawsuits. Additionally, he expressed appreciation for FRA’s valuable discussions with Schneider’s leadership, which helped shape their initiative to transport logs from the woods to the mill.

Mike Cerchiaro, President and CEO, Forest Investment Associates, delivered a presentation titled “Rooted in Value: Timberland Investing in a Shifting Global Landscape,” which shared the value of Timberland investing in an evolving global market. He emphasized Timberland’s resilience as a low-volatility, inflation-hedging asset while discussing key trends, including shifting housing demand, changes in pulp markets, and growing ESG considerations. Additionally, he underscored the increasing significance of market diversification, sustainability, and the potential to enhance returns by integrating value streams such as carbon credits.

Dr. Robert Genetski, a renowned economist and investment advisor, provided an overview of the current economic landscape in the United States in his presentation, “Trump Intends to Change the World: What Trump 2.0 Means for America, Your Business and Your Finances.” He explored several key factors shaping the nation’s financial environment, including the economic policies of the Trump administration, such as tax cuts, deregulation, and tariffs. He reviewed how these measures would benefit business growth, private investments, and overall economic stability. Additionally, Dr. Genetski discussed the positive impacts of lower energy costs, emphasizing their role in supporting consumer spending and corporate profitability. He also analyzed the impact of fluctuating interest rates, particularly in relation to the housing market and home construction.

Leon Sequeira, Employment Law Attorney, Sequeira Bilby PLLC, outlined the ongoing workforce challenges facing the forest product value chain. He highlighted declining labor force participation, an aging population, and limited immigration pathways as key factors behind labor shortages. Sequeira discussed the decline in forestry-related employment and emphasized the need for solutions such as apprenticeships, targeted recruitment, and expanded access to guest worker visa programs.

Ryan Blalock, Senior VP and Chief Purchasing Officer, Great Southern Wood Preserving, began the Board of Directors’ Meeting with an outstanding presentation titled “History of YellaWood / Market Outlook for Pressure Treated Southern Yellow Pine Lumber,” expanding on the company’s rich history and deep ties to Abbeville, AL, emphasizing the evolution of building the YellaWood® brand into a household name. His overview included a discussion on why Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) is the preferred species for the pressure-treated lumber market in the US, followed by a snapshot of general market trends and a future outlook for SYP lumber sales nationwide.

Peter McHale, CEO and Co-founder, Gaia AI, kicked off the National Operations Committee Session with his presentation “Adopting AI in Forestry: What’s at Stake, How to Stay Ahead of the Curve, and How to Mitigate Risks of Adoption.” Peter provided a comprehensive overview of Artificial Intelligence and shared how AI can be a valuable tool for forestry stakeholders to upgrade fundamental datasets, help address labor shortages, assist with timber stand management, and improve in-woods equipment performance and reliability. He also shared several case studies on how similar “conservative” industries have successfully implemented AI-driven systems to increase efficiency. 

Eric Gee, Executive Director, Southern Forest Products Association, addressed attendees prior to the Supplier / Consumer Relations Committee meeting with his presentation titled “Southern Pine on the Global Stage: Expanding Markets, Overcoming Tariff Challenges, and Strengthening Partnerships.” Gee discussed the production history of Southern Yellow Pine, as well as domestic and export markets, and provided insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the lumber market.

FRA’s National Committees and the THATS Foundation met, developing recommendations based on these presentations and other reports. 

National Public Policy/Advocacy Committee

Following the CEO speaker session by Schneider, Pat Rita, Orion Advocates, provided an overview of the 119th Congress. He highlighted key legislative developments, including the reconciliation bill’s potential to deliver tax relief for individuals and consumers, ongoing tariff uncertainties, and the farm bill. He also outlined opportunities for FRA to advance significant transportation legislation during this congressional session. Additionally, he discussed recent developments in European Deforestation Regulations.

Following the presentation, the committee held a brief business meeting.

National Operations Committee

The Operations Committee Business Meeting included a roundtable discussion focusing on several regional challenges, issues, and concerns impacting the wood supply value chain. Topics covered included recent mill closures in several regions, supply chain workforce challenges, potential impacts of retaliatory tariffs, and EUDR compliance challenges for the entire wood products value chain.  The committee also held a brainstorming session to discuss potential committee projects to support FRA’s 2024-26 Strategic Plan. Ideas discussed included more active committee support and participation in FRA’s communications and outreach efforts, as well as assisting FRA with overall forest products market support and promotion.  Committee members were asked to submit specific ideas to FRA staff and Operations Committee leadership for consideration and possible implementation in 2025.

National Supplier/Consumer Relations Committee

Following Eric Gee’s presentation, the Committee met and identified opportunities for wood suppliers and wood-consuming mills to work together. The Committee had a discussion of the regulatory and other obstacles to developing new and retaining existing markets for small-diameter wood and tasked Staff Secretary Eric Kingsley with developing information on this issue for the committee to review.

The committee also discussed areas where suppliers and consumers can work together, including:

• Ways to support safe forest products trucking, including appropriate training for new and existing drivers, and
• Implementation of EUDR regulations, once known

The Committee is also reviewing a white paper on registered apprentice programs and looks forward to sharing it with membership in the coming months.

National Timber Harvesting and Transportation Safety (THATS) Foundation

The Timber Harvesting and Transportation Safety (THATS) Foundation members met, and reviewed and approved the minutes and financials for the THATS Foundation. Members then reviewed the progress of three grants approved in 2024:

• PA SFI SIC Online Logger Training Platform
• Mississippi State University grant
• Oregon State University: “Virtual Canopy Immersive Training for Future Forestry Professionals

All of the projects were expected to be completed in 2025.

THATS Chair Steve Barnett provided an update on the Six Rules for Logging Safety Program, and the meeting continued with a discussion on logging safety and how the foundation can be more effective. Members agreed to explore creating new videos to educate the public on the risks of driving near log trucks and how onboard camera technology can be used in log trucks to train drivers on challenges when driving in highway traffic. Finally, Tracie Gibbs, Rayonier, accepted the THATS Vice-Chair position.

National Awards Dinner 

During the May 6 National Awards Dinner, retiree Lee Alexander, International Paper, was presented with an FRA Honorary Lifetime Membership and recognized for his dedication and service to the industry by Dick Carmical, The Price Companies.

Stephanie Fuller, Director of Promotions and Economic Development for the Forest Workforce Training Institute (ForestryWorks®), was present to accept the FRA 2025 National Technical Writing Award for her Technical Release, “New ForestryWorks® Truck Driver Recruitment Program Keeps Professional Drivers Home at Night.“
Press Release

Todd, Scott, Eric, and Ryan Shamion with Shamco, Inc. of Iron River, MI, were recognized as the 2025 National Outstanding Logger award recipients and presented with a plaque and check by Henry Schienebeck, Executive Director, Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association. STIHL has generously sponsored this important award for over 30 years.
Press Release

 

Finally, the THATS 2025 online and live auctions raised over $12,000 during this year’s meeting. Foundation members and FRA would like to thank everyone who donated and bid, and a special thanks to Richard Schwab for another stellar performance as auctioneer!   

At the May 7 Board of Directors Meeting, attendees:

• Reviewed FRA’s financial performance over the past fiscal year and approved the FY 2025-2026 budget. FRA remains in a good financial position with healthy reserves.  
• Heard the report from the May 5 FRA Executive Committee Meeting, including an overview of the work of the association this past year. This included successes on the public policy front, developments in membership communications, a summary of FRA’s strong region activity, and a membership report reviewing the fifteen new member companies since May 2024. 
• Reviewed reports from FRA’s National Committees and the THATS Foundation.
• Heard the Meetings Advisory Group report on upcoming meetings: FRA’s Fall Meeting will be in conjunction with a Legislative Fly-in, October 7-9, at the Phoenix Park Hotel, Washington, DC. The 2026 Annual Meeting will take place May 18-20 at the Hotel Emeline, Charleston, SC. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.

FRA Southeast Region Spring Meeting

The 2025 Southeast Region Spring Meeting took place ahead of the Annual Meeting on May 5 and began with an Awards Breakfast to honor the region’s Technical Writing Award and Outstanding Logger Award recipients. Drs. Brian Bond (Virginia Tech) and Sailesh Adhikari (National Hardwood Lumber Association) were honored as the Southeastern Region’s 2025 Technical Writing Award winners for their Technical Release titled “Hardwood CLT:  Where We Stand Now”. Arthur Egolf and Egolf Forest Harvesting, Inc. from Delmar, DE, were recognized as the region’s 2025 Outstanding Logger Award Winner. 

Immediately following the Awards Breakfast, the Southeastern Region’s General Session featured three presentations focusing on forest products markets and timber damage assessment modeling.  Jeremy Kessinger (ResourceWise) provided a general forest products market overview for the South with his presentation titled “Where We Are Today and What May the Future Hold?”.  Tunstall Inge (Canfor) followed with a “Softwood Lumber Market Outlook”, and Dr. Jarek Nowak (Florida Forest Service) concluded the General Session with his presentation titled “Incorporating New Modeling Techniques into Post-Hurricane Timber Damage Assessments in Florida”.  The Southeastern Region’s 2025 Spring Meeting adjourned following a productive Steering Committee Business Meeting.

Continuing Education Credits

The combined FRA 2025 Southeast Region and Annual Meeting was approved for 7.50 Category 1 SAF CFE credits, and sign-in sheets have been submitted to the SAF national office. Please reach out if you have questions regarding obtaining credit for your meeting attendance.

Meeting Sponsors

Thank you to the FRA 2025 Annual Meeting sponsors – this meeting would not have been possible without your financial support. This was another strong year for sponsorship, and we are incredibly thankful for your support.