Faculty & Staff

Dana Spessert
NHLA Chief Inspector & School Dean
[email protected]
901-399-7551

Read Dana's Bio

Dana began working for NHLA as Chief Inspector in September 2010. He is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the NHLA grading rules by supervising the Association’s field staff of 7 full-time inspectors and is the Dean of the Inspector Training School. Dana is a native of West Virginia where he was born into the lumber industry – his father had graduated from NHLA Inspection School in 1962.
He started his career by working at their family-owned sawmill and later graduated from NHLA Inspector Training School in the spring of 1986. He worked independently as a lumber inspector for several sawmill and lumberyards in the areas surrounding Elkins, WV. Dana was also employed by Colonial Millworks, Ltd. for five years as a production supervisor and spent the next nine years working for Coastal Lumber Company as Quality Control Manager.
He is a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Leadership Training Course.

Roman Matyushchenko
Associate Dean
901-399-7569
[email protected]

Rich Hascher
Instructor
901-399-7571
[email protected]

Read Rich's Bio

For more than 23 years, Rich has held the position of Inspector Training School Instructor, graduating more than 2,000 students. He feels a deep responsibility for each student’s success and always makes time for individual tutoring and/or counseling.
Rich is a native of Michigan and graduated from Sparta High School in Sparta, Michigan. He attended Ferris State College in Big Rapids, Michigan, and Grand Rapids Junior College before beginning his career in the hardwood industry with Budres Lumber Company in 1966.
Over the years, Rich worked for several companies inspecting lumber, buying and selling lumber, managing yards, overseeing employees, and at one point owned his own company. The hardwood industry is an integral part of Rich’s life and has provided him the opportunity for a lifetime of hands-on learning.

Carol McElya
ITS Administrator
901-399-7563
[email protected]

Read Carol's Bio

Carol has been with NHLA since 2014. She began her career in the NHLA Accounting Department before being promoted to the position of Inspector Training School Administrator. Carol has over 25 years of experience in administration, management, and customer services fields. She holds an Applied Associate of Science degree in Business Management and has a passion for learning, generating new ideas, and goal planning. She is dedicated to the success of the Inspector Training School and its students. Carol is also an Industry Services Coordinator, working with the NHLA Kiln Drying program and Facility Grade Certification program. As the ITS Administrator, Carol is the center-point for all school activities. If you have a question about the school, she knows the answer!

*Time of Withdrawal*	*Refund Amount*
Prior to start of class	Full tuition
Prior to end of 2nd week of class	$1,875
Prior to end of 4th week of class	$625
After 4th week of class	No refund