American Wood Council (AWC) announced the election of West Fraser President and CEO Sean McLaren as the new Board Chair for a two-year term. McLaren will be joined by SmartLam CEO Derek Ratchford, who was elected First Vice Chair, and PotlatchDeltic’s Vice President of Wood Products, Ashlee Cribb, who was elected Second Vice Chair. The terms are effective January 1, 2026.

Along with electing a new Chair and Vice Chairs, three new members of the Board were elected. Will Lampe, President and CEO of Lampe and Malphrus Lumber, will represent the Lumber Segment. Craig Sichling of LP Building Solutions will represent the Structural Panel Segment. Charles McRae, owner of Rex Lumber, will sit on the Environmental Committee.

The full AWC Board includes: Sean McLaren (West Fraser), Derek Ratchford (SmartLam), Ashlee Cribb (PotlatchDeltic), Ricky Stanley (TR Miller Mill), Marc Brinkmeyer (Idaho Forest Group), Furman Brodie (Charles Ingram Lumber), Brian Chaney (Weyerhaeuser), George Emmerson (Sierra Pacific Industries), Jim Enright (Pacific Woodtech), Stuart Gray (Roseburg Forest Products), Rick Jeffery (Canadian Wood Council), Nate Jorgensen (Boise Cascade), Stephen Mackie (Canfor Southern Pine), Fritz Mason (Georgia-Pacific), Andrew Miller (Stimson Lumber), Cade Warner (Westervelt), Will Lampe (Lampe and Malphrus Lumber), Craig Sichling (LP Building Solutions), and Charles McRae (Rex Lumber).

Boise Cascade announced that CEO Nate Jorgensen plans to retire effective March 2, 2026, to be succeeded by current COO Jeff Strom. Jorgensen will continue to serve as a director on the company’s board after his retirement. The company does not plan to backfill the chief operating officer role after the transition.

“This is a planned transition and part of the company’s deliberate and long-term succession planning process to ensure stability and continued momentum in our strategy and operations,” comments Tom Carlile, Chair of Boise Cascade’s board. “On behalf of the entire board of directors, I extend our gratitude to Nate Jorgensen for his outstanding leadership. Nate has led with steadfast integrity and remarkable vision for the last six years, guiding the company through a global pandemic and tremendous growth. The positive impact of his leadership will extend far beyond his tenure as CEO.”

Carlile adds, “Our board is equally confident in Jeff Strom and his leadership and experience, which spans over 34 years in our industry. As chief operating officer, Jeff has successfully driven to further leverage our integrated model, and he has been instrumental in driving operational excellence and customer focus across the company.” Strom has been in the building materials industry for more than 34 years. He joined Boise Cascade in 2006 and has served in several key roles and progressive leadership positions during his 19 years with the company.

Georgia-Pacific’s Clarendon OSB Facility recently donated $5,000 to Central Carolina Technical College’s (CCTC) Foundation in support of the college’s mechatronics program, bringing the total that GP has donated to the program to $15,000. Through this donation, GP is showing their commitment to growing the region’s workforce by making sure that CCTC and its students have the support they need to be competitive in today’s ever changing job market.

Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary field that combines mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering to create systems that help facilities run more efficiently and safely. With manufacturing advancing rapidly more every day, workers are now needing a broad range of skills in order to meet today’s high demand for skilled laborers. Through initiatives like CCTC’s Mechatronics program, students are able to learn skills that will translate directly to high-demand careers in the area.

Roseburg Forest Products has recently announced the closure of its veneer plant in Weed, Calif. The company is focusing on veneer production at its Oregon mills, where it has installed new veneer manufacturing equipment. The company says the move strengthens its long-term competitiveness in engineered wood and softwood plywood markets.

Roseburg Lumber purchased the Weed facilities and land in Siskiyou County from International Paper in early 1983 for $5 million. IP had shut down the aging operations in 1982, including a sawmill, box plant and plywood facility, which at one time was a big producer but was ultimately “run down into junk” by IP. Roseburg auctioned off the sawmill and some plywood mill equipment and built a veneer mill.

Forest products operations at the site began in the late 19th century and passed to town namesake Abner Weed and his company Weed Lumber, who would sell to Long-Bell Lumber in the first decade of the 20th century, which sold to IP in 1956.

Roseburg’s closure at Weed, along with the company’s decision in September 2025 to exit the hardwood plywood market, enables Roseburg to concentrate resources on a more focused product portfolio and optimize its position in increasingly competitive wood products markets, according to the company.

“With the investments we have made in our Riddle and Coquille, Ore. veneer and softwood plywood mills, we have repositioned these operations as well as our Riddle Engineered Wood mill to be among the most cost-competitive mills in the industry,” comments Stuart Gray, Roseburg president and CEO. “These actions are essential for Roseburg to remain a strong producer and competitor against significant volumes of low-cost imported products that continue to affect North American wood products markets.”

The Weed plant’s 140 team members will receive compensation and health care coverage for 60 days following the closure. They’ve been encouraged to apply for open positions at other Roseburg facilities. Roseburg will continue to fulfill active contracts for renewable power generation from the site’s biomass power plant.

“We recognize the impact this decision has on our team members and the Weed community and appreciate the contributions our people have made during nearly 40 years in Weed.” Gray says. “We are actively evaluating options for the facility that would allow it to continue serving as an economic driver and employer in the region.”

Roseburg says it remains committed to the Weed community, including its $7 million contribution to establish a foundation to benefit the community, continuation of the company’s Weed Community Scholarship Fund, and providing the City of Weed Fire Dept. with a rent-free firehouse on plant property.

On the occasion of its 102nd anniversary, RoyOMartin has announced that longtime Chairman and CEO Dr. Roy O. Martin III will step back from his role as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026. Dr. Martin will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors and assume additional responsibilities as Chief Investment Officer. The company’s current President and Chief Operating Officer, E. Scott Poole, has been appointed CEO, marking the first time a non-Martin family member will lead the organization in its century-long history.

“Scott has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, integrity, and commitment throughout his 39 years with the company,” explains Martin. “He has been instrumental in shaping RoyOMartin’s growth, culture, and operational excellence. His deep understanding of our business, combined with his passion for our people and our values, makes him the ideal leader to guide RoyOMartin into its next century of success.”

Poole began his career with RoyOMartin nearly four decades ago and has advanced through numerous leadership roles in forestry, operations, and executive management. His steady leadership and strategic vision have been pivotal in achieving the company’s record growth, expanding our product lines, and strengthening our reputation as a premier employer and industry innovator.

“I am deeply honored to continue serving this remarkable organization in a new capacity,” Poole says. “RoyOMartin’s success has always been rooted in its people, its values, and its commitment to doing what’s right for our team members, our customers, and our communities. I look forward to building on that legacy as we move steadfast into the future.”

As Chairman of the Board and Chief Investment Officer, Martin will remain actively involved in guiding the company’s long-term strategic direction, financial stewardship, and community engagement, ensuring continued alignment with the Martin family’s founding values of faith, stewardship, and excellence.