National Hardwood Magazine - April 2024

IHLA Sells Out As Attendees And
Exhibitors Fill Convention Venue
Photos By Terry Miller, Paul Miller Jr. and Chris Fehr
A sold-out exhibitor’s hall recently welcomed guests
and members of the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s
Association (IHLA) Convention at the Indianapolis Marriott
Downtown in Indianapolis, IN. The event was attended
by approximately 1,200 people.
The three-day event kicked off with a Board of Directors
meeting followed by a welcome reception.
The second day was packed with guest speeches,
presentations, ample opportunity to network at multiple
receptions and visit the vast array of exhibitor booths.
The annual Tree Farmers Breakfast started the day off
following opening session welcome remarks by Major
General John. L. Gronski.
Later that same day, Dr. Matthew Will, of the University
of Indianapolis, gave a presentation entitled “A Confused
Economy.”
David Caldwell, of the Hardwood Market Report and
Nathan Phillips, of G.L. Beaumont Lumber Co., followed
Dr. Will with their joint presentation: “Calling All Hardwood
Entrepreneurs.”
The next morning, Fellowship of Christian Lumbermen
held a meeting, followed by the IHLA Annual Meeting
with breakfast.
The final presentation of the IHLA Convention was
held later that day and given by Dan Meyer, of Hardwood
Review. He spoke about the “Hardwood Markets:
Trends, Outlook, Industry Perspectives & Discussion.” n
Chris Strang, Alan McIlvain Co., Marcus Hook, PA; Rob Hill, Holt & Bugbee Company, Tewksbury, MA; Javan Mallery, Wolverine Hardwoods
Inc., Allegan, MI; Mark Alden, Northland Forest Products Inc., Kingston, NH; Don Petersen, Danzer Lumber North America Inc.,
Shade Gap, PA; and Will Schmertzler, Rex Lumber Company, Acton, MA
To learn more about this association and to inquire
about membership, visit www.ihla.org.
Vince Catarella, Baillie Lumber Co., Hamburg, NY; Samantha
Keenan, The AGL Group LLC, Weymouth, MA; Stephen A. Zambo,
The AGL Group LLC, Jacksonville, FL; Tom Eichler, Baillie Lumber
Co.; and Andrew Johnson, The AGL Group LLC, Weymouth,
MA
John Hester, NHLA, Memphis, TN; Ted Rossi, Rossi Group, Cromwell,
CT; and Renee Hornsby, NHLA
(Front row, from left): Shaun Cook, C.C. Cook & Son Lumber Co., Reelsville, IN; Craig Brouyette, Pike Lumber Company, Akron, IN;
Dave Bramlage, Cole Hardwood, Logansport, IN; Mark Williamson, Superior Hardwoods, Montezuma, IN; Rich Solano, Pike Lumber
Company; Brett Franklin, Tri-State Timber, Bloomington, IN; and Mista Feist, Holmes & Co., Columbia City, IN
(Back row, from left): Darin Hollingsworth, Hollingsworth Lumber, Russiaville, IN; Kevin Mershimer, The Horton Group, South Bend,
IN; Kaleb Hollingsworth, Hollingsworth Lumber; Tom Oilar, Cole Hardwood; Sam Smith, Smith Creek, Borden, IN; John Brown, Pike
Lumber Company; Chris Moore, Graf Brothers Lumber & Flooring, Union City, IN; Matthew Smith, Smith Creek; Michael Powers, Maley
& Wertz, Evansville, IN; Jay Engle, Smith Creek; Philip Fischer, Maley & Wertz; and Stan Messmer, American Woodland Enterprises,
Inc., Santa Claus, IN – Photo provided by MWP Images
James Plummer, Koppers Inc., Beavertown, PA; Scott Holley,
NWH, Frisco, TX; Tony Honeycutt, Mullican Flooring, Johnson
City, TN; and Stan Jones, Koppers Inc., Creedmoor, NC
Anita Howard, Superior Hardwoods, Montezuma, IN; and Anita
Howard, National Wood Flooring Association, St. Louis, MO
Additional photos on next page
34 APRIL 2024 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmericanHardwood.com/industry
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APRIL 2024 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 35