LBM JOURNAL — While West Coast Lumber and Building Material Association (WCLBMA) members gathered to elect new officers at its annual convention in Sacramento, the organization also presented one of its infrequent Lifetime Achievement Awards to the founder of Sierra Pacific Industries, Archie “Red” Emmerson.

In presenting the award WCLBMA President Mark Boone said, “If you know anything about the importance of the timber and lumber industry in America and especially in the West, this individual perhaps represents the face and spirit of the industry more than about anyone.”

Boone added, “The stories of this man and his philosophy of treating everyone in the company with respect and dignity, and the company’s sound forest management practices make them a model for what business should be.”
Red Emmerson, left, receives a Lifetime Achievement Award from Mark Boone.

Boone noted that Red, at the age of 20, and his father, with some borrowed money, leased a sawmill and lumber business in Oregon. In the years that followed Sierra Pacific Industries has grown to a company that owns and manages about two-million acres of timberland in California and Washington. It is also one of the largest private landowners in America.

Today’s operation includes 14 sawmills, two millwork facilities, a remanufacturing plant, two bark plants, seven co-generation facilities, and three window and door manufacturing plants. It may be also fitting that Sierra Pacific Industries celebrated its 70th anniversary two months ago.

Emmerson is still actively involved in the company at 90, with his two sons, Mark and George, managing the company and four of his grandchildren are now involved. His daughter Carolyn manages the Sierra Pacific Foundation that has provided more than $8 million in higher education scholarships and supports community activities across the West.
Betsy Bendix receives an Associate of the Year Award from Mark Boone.

Each year the WCLBMA honors those who make exceptional contributions to the association and to the industry. The 2019 recipient of the Associate of the Year award this year is Betsy Bendix, Western Woods.

In recognizing her contributions, WCLBMA President Mark Boone noted she is one of those people who is always at association and industry events, and always busy helping out as needed.

Bendix is a 25-year veteran of the LBM industry in the sale of various building materials for Western Woods, BlueLinx, Fiberon, Huttig and All-Coast Forest Products over the years. She is well known in the industry for her dedication, experience and product knowledge.

Originally from Boston, she moved to California many years ago for her professional advancement. She is also an active member of Hoo Hoo International.

WCLBMA elects 2020 officers and directors

The WCLBMA also confirmed and elected officers and directors for 2020 at its annual convention. One of the nation’s largest lumber and building materials trade associations, the organization begins its 103rd year in 2020.

Continuing as president for 2020 is Mark Boone, president, and CEO of Champion Lumber, Riverside Calif. The association moved to two-year terms for officers several years ago.

First vice president will be Frank Addiego, All Bay Mill & Lumber, American Canyon Calif. The second vice president will be Matt Endriss, Central Valley, St. Helena Calif. Continuing as treasurer will be Sean Fogarty, Osborne Lumber, Newark Calif. WCLBMA Executive Director Ken Dunham will continue as corporate secretary.

Newly elected to the board of directors are Emily Brown Morgan, Ashby Lumber, Berkeley Calif.; Merritt Goodyear, Trinity Lumber, Weaverville Calif.; and Brian Bunt, Windsor One, Petaluma Calif. Marc Mizgorski, Hayward Lumber, Monterey Calif., was re-elected for a second term on the board.

Holdover directors are: Chris Fleiner, Reno Carson Lumber, Reno Nevada; Brian Pierce, Friedman’s Home Improvement, Santa Rosa Calif.; Barrett Burt, Ganahl Lumber, Pasadena Calif.; Thom Wright, Sierra Pacific Industries, Anderson Calif.; Pat Zan, Taiga Building Products, Rocklin Calif.; and Vic Hausmaninger, HBLA Certified Public Accountants, Irvine Calif.

The president of WCLBMA’s “Second Growth” group of emerging leaders who will be formally elected in December also joins the board of directors. For 2020 it is Ryan Lauterborn, Trex Company, Placentia Calif.

WCLBMA is one of 12 regional trade organizations affiliated with the National Lumber and Building Materials Dealers Association, headquartered in Washington D.C. It represents more than 2,500 independent lumber and building materials dealers nationwide.

WCLBMA, with its offices in Folsom Calif., provides government affairs services for its members, educational and training program coordination, industry promotion and advocacy, and a variety of informational services. The organization currently has more than 300 members in the United States, Canada, and several Pacific Rim countries.