From the Field: Marty Westeen

A Year of Lessons, Laughter, and Looking Ahead

As the year draws to a close, National Inspector Marty Westeen is reflecting on a year of growth, grit, and good humor. From snow-covered log yards in Michigan to training sessions across the country, Marty’s work has taken him deep into the heart of NHLA’s mission: helping members find value in every board foot.

“I like to get out to different facilities and see how they operate and try to help them find value in their products,” Marty says. “I also try to maximize their grade to the fullest and show their inspectors as well.”

That hands-on approach is exactly what members appreciate most. Whether it’s consulting, quality control, or yield analysis, Marty brings both technical expertise and a personal touch to every visit. This year alone, he’s worked with mills across the U.S., guiding teams through yield analysis studies and helping them optimize production practices.

One of his most memorable moments from 2025 came with fellow inspector Benji Richards in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

“Benji and I were in the U.P. doing a yield analysis,” he recalls.

“I told him to schedule it in May or June because of the weather—I lived there for years—but he didn’t. So, when we arrived, it was a snow blizzard, and we were scaling Hard Maple logs out in that condition. Benji loved it... NOT!”

Despite the conditions, the visit was a success. “Overall, the company was very impressed with the outcome of the YA.”

Beyond the stories, Marty is deeply aware of the challenges facing the industry. “The biggest thing I’m seeing is there are not enough lumber inspectors out there for the amount of work there is,” he says. “Every company I work for asks if I know anybody they can hire for a lumber inspector.”

That shortage—paired with evolving export markets—is something he’s determined to help members navigate. “Export is another big thing,” he explains. “They have to find other countries or domestic markets to sell their products. I try to help them where I can.”

At the same time, the industry-wide need for qualified inspectors highlights the importance of the NHLA Inspector Train-ing School, which continues to prepare the next generation of certified lumber inspectors. The School’s graduates are in high demand, filling a critical gap in the workforce and helping companies maintain grading accuracy and efficiency across operations.

Looking back, Marty says 2025 has been a year of collaboration and learning. He credits his colleagues for helping him expand his skillset.

“I enjoyed working with my co-workers as they taught me new pro-grams that we do for NHLA,” he says. “I look forward to learning more next year, meeting new members, and helping their companies become more profitable through my knowledge—and learning from them, too.”

As NHLA closes out another productive year, Marty’s reflections capture the spirit of dedication, teamwork, and continuous learning that keep the hardwood industry strong. His blend of humor and hard work reminds us that even a snowstorm can’t slow down the people who keep this industry moving forward.