With diverse experience as a truss builder, forklift operator, and yard supervisor, Owen Thompson now thrives on the purchasing team at Weston Forest Products, embracing every opportunity to learn and grow. In this member spotlight, discover Owen’s journey into the lumber industry, his favorite NAWLA experiences, and what keeps him motivated.

Tell me about yourself. What is your background and how did you get involved with wholesale lumber?

I’m a 29-year-old Softwood/Panel Buyer at Weston Forest Products. I spent the first three years of my career as a truss builder before becoming a forklift operator. After that, I worked at a composite decking company for four years as a yard supervisor where I started my purchasing career.  A year and a half ago, I joined the Weston Forest purchasing team and I’m looking forward to all the new experiences there. I have very much enjoyed my time in the industry so far!

What motivates you to continue on this career path and be a part of the wholesale lumber industry?

There is a lot of room to grow in this industry, I’ve met many people who have had successful careers in this business. There are a lot of genuine people who put relationships first, which is very important to me. I work with a lot of dedicated and experienced people at Weston Forest who motivate me to keep learning and are helping me advance my career.

In what ways have you seen the lumber industry evolve over the years?

I have only been in the lumber industry a short time, but it has been interesting to see all the different moving parts of the industry. From my experiences as a builder to touring mills and remanufacturing facilities, it is unbelievable the amount of work that goes into creating these products, and how much our daily lives depend on lumber.

What has been the most rewarding part of your career so far? Are there any “wow” moments that particularly stand out to you?

The most rewarding part of my career so far has been the learning experiences and getting to meet new people. Everyone I’ve met has been very welcoming and patient. The people I work with at Weston Forest are fantastic, and it’s very rewarding to be part of such a great team! The “wow” moments that stand out to me the most have been the Trade Show Events and Wood Basics. They provide great opportunities to learn and network with like-minded people in the industry!

Tell me about your involvement with NAWLA. How long have you been a member and what made you want to join?

I have been involved with NAWLA for a little over a year. My first experience with NAWLA was the 2023 Wood Basics in Vancouver. It was a great place to start making connections, and it helped show me that I was not alone in being new! I attended the 2023 Traders Market in Columbus, where I joined a 10 Group. The networking and learning opportunities are the main reasons I wanted to join, and it has paid off!

What advice would you give to a new NAWLA member?

The best advice I could give to a new NAWLA member is to listen, learn, and be involved. There are a lot of people in this industry who have stuck with it for many years, and they are more than willing to pass on that knowledge. Be open to meeting new people, it will go a long way. It can be difficult being new to a well-established industry, take advantage of these events if you’re able to attend.

What’s been your favorite NAWLA moment?

My favorite NAWLA moment so far was attending the 2023 Traders Market in Columbus. I was introduced to a lot of new people and was able to meet people in person for the first time. The speakers and events were a great source of information.