Chairperson's Message: Your Voice. Our Future.

It is an incredible honor and privilege to introduce myself as the new Chairperson of the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA). Having served on the NHLA Board, I understand both the responsibility of this position and the importance of the work ahead. I am deeply grateful to have been entrusted with the opportunity to serve as your chairperson for the next two years.

My path into the hardwood industry was a little unconventional. I never attended the NHLA Inspector Training School in Memphis, nor have I attended lumber grading school. I took my first industry job primarily because I spoke both French and English. The company was based in Quebec and wanted to expand its sales into English-speaking markets. At the time, I decided I would accept the position until I found a “real job.”

What I found instead was an industry that became my career, my community, and an important part of my life. It has provided for my family and allowed me to be a mother while building a meaningful and rewarding career. It has challenged me, supported me, and given me opportunities I could never have imagined when I accepted what I thought would be a temporary position.

Without formal training in grading or production, I learned by listening. I have spent countless hours alongside production teams, graders, sawmill operators, customers, and industry leaders who generously shared their knowledge with me. They taught me that relationships build this industry, but respect sustains it: respect for the forests that provide our resource, the people whose skill transforms it, and the customers who trust us to deliver.

Much of my success has come from listening carefully, identifying what customers truly need, and building bridges between those needs and our production capabilities. Sales and production cannot operate independently. Our greatest successes occur when we communicate openly, understand one another’s challenges, and work together to deliver value.

That belief will be at the heart of my term as Chairperson: communication, communication, communication. It is how we build trust, solve problems, strengthen relationships, and move our industry forward. I also recognize that no Chairperson leads alone. I have the benefit of learning from those who have led this Association before me, and I intend to draw upon their experience and knowledge. I am equally fortunate to work alongside a highly capable Board of Directors and executive team. By leaning on one another’s strengths and staying focused on our common goals, I believe we can turn the corner toward brighter, more prosperous times.

Our way forward must also include greater cooperation among the associations that represent the many sectors and regions of the hardwood industry. While each organization has its own mandate and membership, we share many of the same challenges and ultimately serve the same greater purpose. By communicating more openly, sharing knowledge, aligning our efforts where possible, and supporting one another’s work, we can reduce fragmentation and strengthen our collective influence. Cooperation does not require us to give up our individual identities; it allows us to combine our strengths for the greater good of the entire industry.

There is no question that we are facing extremely challenging times. Changing markets, economic uncertainty, workforce pressures, and threats to our industry require all of us to remain informed, engaged, and united. Despite these challenges, I am proud to be part of an Association that works every day to represent, support, and protect our industry and the people whose livelihoods depend on it.

Whether you operate a small family-owned sawmill, a distribution business, a concentration yard, or one of our industry’s largest companies, our common goal remains the same. We must come together under one voice—the voice of the NHLA—to ensure that our industry is heard, understood, and effectively represented. Every segment of this industry matters, and every member deserves to have a voice. As your Chairperson, I welcome your thoughts, concerns, and ideas. This is your Association, and I am here to represent you. I will listen, encourage open dialogue, and work with our Board, executive team, staff, committees, members, and industry partners to advance our shared priorities.

The road ahead will not always be easy, but I believe deeply in what we can accomplish together. By communicating, cooperating, and speaking with a stronger collective voice, we can move the needle and preserve this remarkable industry for generations to come.

NHLA Chairperson Stephanie VanDystadt