January 23, 2019 – Two more Canadians have joined the U.S.-based Softwood Lumber Board (SLB), effective January 1, 2019.
Montreal’s Kevin Edgson, CEO of EACOM, will represent Canada East, while Vernon, B.C.’s Brad Thorlakson, president and CEO of Tolko, will represent Canada West.
Edgson and Thorlakson join four other new members: J.D. Hankins of Ripley, Miss., and Brian Luoma of Tuscaloosa, Ala. will represent the U.S. South. Todd Payne of Eugene, Ore., and George Emmerson of Bella Vista, Calif., will represent the U.S. West.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue appointed the six members to serve on the SLB for a three-year term of office.
The SLB is composed of 19 members, including 12 domestic manufacturers and seven importers. Of the 12 domestic manufacturers, six represent the U.S. South, five represent the U.S. West, and one represents the Northeast and Lake States. Of the seven importers, four represent Canada West, two represent Canada East, and one represents all other importing countries besides Canada.
“The Softwood Lumber Board thanks Secretary Perdue for appointing a strong slate of new directors who reflect the diversity of the industry and will bring the unique perspectives from their regions,” says Cees de Jager, SLB’s CEO. “We also thank the outgoing directors for their leadership, service, and commitment to the industry and Softwood Lumber Board. They were instrumental in guiding the SLB and helping us deliver significant impacts for the industry during our first term.”
The SLB is an industry-funded initiative established to promote lumber’s value proposition and increase demand for softwood lumber products in outdoor, residential and non-residential construction. Through strategic investments in pro-wood communications, standards development, design and engineering assistance, research, demonstrations and partnerships, the organization seeks to make softwood lumber the preferred material choice from both an economic and an environmental standpoint.
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