I’d like to welcome each of you to a new year with NAWLA, and thank you for everything you’ve done for our association and industry over the past year. I am very excited about our future and am honored to be leading NAWLA through what is sure to be a tremendous year ahead.

First, a little bit about me.

I am the president and founder of All Star Forest Products, Inc., located in Jackson, Mississippi. We’ve been in business since 1996 and a member of NAWLA since 1998 (I believe – someone can fact check me on that one!). ASFP is a wholesale and remanufacturing operation in the South that services U.S. companies from the east to west coast. We’ve grown from our humble beginnings from my dining room in Mississippi to multiple facilities and salespeople located in four states.

I feel truly blessed to be a part of the wood products industry, and it has been very good to me and my family. The Bible teaches us that “to whom much is given, much will be required.” I embrace the chairmanship role and responsibilities that come with it in this upcoming year.

On a personal note, I have been married for 29 years to Kathy, and we have three young adult children who are all married as of January 1 of this year. I enjoy mission work, family and fishing.

As NAWLA Chair, I intend to focus this year around the theme of “legacy” for our member companies, board and our association. Many board leaders, volunteers and association members have left a legacy through their dedication, commitment and hard work. We will help nurture a culture of industry knowledge and continued education along with discipleship in our association. We also celebrate legacy every year with our Mulrooney Award.

Finally, I hope many of you are making your plans to join us for the NAWLA 2022 Leadership Summit, March 6-8, at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida. There is no other event in this market that provides you with the level of networking and business opportunities that Leadership Summit does. We are committed to holding this event in person and will not be canceling or offering a virtual/hybrid option. I look forward to seeing many of you there.

We have a lot to look forward to this year. Our valued committees, 10 groups, staff and board all rowing the boat together will make for a great and successful 2022. I can’t wait to work on behalf of all you this year.