A newcomer to the lumber industry, Thomas Compa joined Patrick Lumber Company just over a year ago after transitioning from a career at a wholesale building material export company specializing in the Japanese market. In this member spotlight, learn about how he got his start with Patrick Lumber, what motivates him, and his favorite NAWLA experiences so far.

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

Prior to working at Patrick Lumber, I worked for a wholesale building material export company that specialized in the Japanese market. We sold windows, doors, siding, hardware, flooring, lumber and more. When the company sales slowed down because of Japan’s economy, I found myself looking for work and was lucky to find a position at Patrick Lumber. It’s been a challenging yet rewarding job so far, and I’m hoping to turn it into a long-term career as I work on building my own book of business.

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

I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface in terms of my experience in the lumber industry. I’m motivated because the sky is the limit with buying and selling lumber. Once you get to a certain level of success and knowledge, your whole world can really open in terms of opportunity and quality of life.

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

I’ve only been in the lumber industry for about a year so I can’t speak to how it’s changed, but there is a lot to look forward to in the future. There are numerous opportunities for our industry to reframe itself and become a leader in the green building materials industry. We need to do a lot more in terms of getting the message out that lumber and lumber products are green, sustainable, and good for people. Wood is the future!

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

It’s been very rewarding to turn cold calls into sales and working relationships. I’m still fairly “green” when it comes to being a salesperson, but the best “wow” moments have come from just calling and connecting with other professionals in the lumber world.

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

Patrick Lumber has been a member of NAWLA for many years. I was lucky enough to attend the NAWLA Spring Wood Basics Event in 2023 and thoroughly enjoyed my time with the instructors and other attendees.  I’ve also attended several Regional Meetings and Traders Market. The networking and educational opportunities have been invaluable to my growth in the lumber industry.

What advice would you give to a new NAWLA member?

Attend as many events as possible! You never know who you’ll meet or what opportunities will develop out of a simple conversation with someone you’ve never met before.

What’s been your favorite NAWLA moment?

Attending Wood Basics was a great experience for me!