Against the Grain: Leaders Together, Leading Together

We’re back from Palm Springs and this year’s Leadership Summit did not disappoint! Four days together, networking, learning and “sharpening our axe” around key issues that are impacting the forest products industry – along with plenty of time for golfing, biking and soaking in the nice weather.

On the Monday of Leadership Summit, I also had the distinct honor of delivering a COPPAC medal to my good friend and predecessor, Bill Price, and to honor the late Jonathan E. Martin by presenting his wife, Dr. Maggie Martin with NAWLA’s most prestigious award – the John J. Mulrooney Award. My sincerest congratulations and admiration to Maggie for joining us in California to receive the award.

This time of the year for NAWLA is really about empowering leaders and encouraging leadership development.

April marks our second time hosting since bringing back our Executive Management Institute (EMI). EMI is an educational experience designed for new and current senior leaders in the forest products industry. The program offers participants a unique opportunity to better their organizations and account for our constantly-evolving business environment.

As the new EMI class joins NAWLA this month in Evanston, IL, I want to congratulate the 30 students that have signed up to attend. I also want to thank the kind faculty at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management for their continued partnership on the program. It will certainly be an inspiring and unforgettable experience.

Speaking of unforgettable, Spring Wood Basics is back in May and this time, the course will return to Canada! The course is unlike other offerings as NAWLA models the curriculum around the entire spectrum of forest products – from seed to sales. This year, we’re offering both the Spring and Fall Wood Basics Courses and if you are interested in sending someone or even attending yourself, I encourage you to act fast as space fills up quickly.

As many of our regional or educational events begin kicking off this year and my own travel schedule is filling up, I’d encourage each member to spend some time thinking about what being a member of NAWLA means to you. For me it is about getting to know the people that make up NAWLA, meeting fellow members at events and seeing those newer to the industry really forge their own path in our organization – much like I did.

Think about what it means to you, and see if you can make a plan to spend some time with NAWLA through a regional meeting, educational webinar or joining us this November in Columbus, Ohio for 2023 Traders Market. I will also be attending most, if not all, of our regional meetings, so I encourage you to reach out and say hi if you’ll also be there.

Cheers!

Steve Rustja
Vice President – Trading | Weston Forest Products
2023 NAWLA Chair