FOREST HILL, Md. - Chris Hacker has been named president of the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America, a wood manufacturing industry trade group. Hacker is vice president of sales at James L. Taylor Mfg., Poughkeepsie, New York.

 

The Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America is the national trade association for those who make machinery, cutting tools and supplies for the woodworking industry. Announcement of Hacker's new role was made at the Woodworking Industry Conference, which took place at the CasaMagna Marriott Resort in Cancun, Mexico.

 

“Chris Hacker is going to make an excellent leader for this association,” stated Jamison Scott, WMMA’s outgoing president. “He has served WMMA and the industry at large on numerous levels, and is well prepared for the challenges of this position.”

 

As a New York native, Hacker started his career in the woodworking industry at James L. Taylor Mfg in Poughkeepsie, NY, in 1991. Early on in his career Hacker had the responsibilities of Purchasing, Production Scheduling and Inventory Control. When JLT Clamps, a division Taylor Mfg, was started in 1997, he was one of the original “Clamp Guys”.

 

This term was given by customers and distributors to describe the sales and marketing department. In 2002, Hacker relocated to Greensboro, NC, to manage sales and marketing for JLT Clamps. As Vice President of JLT Clamps, he had the distinct honor of managing a small growing company with a young talented sales team.  Currently, Hacker enjoys managing the Southeast territory for JLT, Taylor and the Cameron Automation machinery lines. As he enters his 25th year with James L. Taylor Mfg, Hacker still enjoys developing new business and relationships with customers and distributors.

 

A highlight of Hacker’s career has been his active role in the WMMA since 2006. He has had the pleasure of serving and chairing the Business Development Committee and the Membership Development Committee from 2010 to 2014. The experience of sharing ideas and success stories with Industry leaders has been valuable in all aspects of his career at Taylor. Hacker has always enjoyed listening to the senior members of the Association and soaking in of the knowledge and experience they have to share.

 

“As newly appointed WMMA President, it is both an honor and privilege to serve the members of this great 117 year old Association," Hacker said. "This is truly an ideal time to be an active member of the WMMA."

 

Attending WIC offers so much information in the seminars and committee meetings, the networking opportunities always prove to be valuable as you rub elbows with industry leaders and the IWF Show is in a growth phase which all attention to the success of the industry will shine this August in Atlanta. I feel my greatest role as WMMA President is to serve its members, so please feel free to contact me at any time with Association business.”

 

WMMA is located at 9 Newport Drive, Suite 200, Forest Hill, MD 21050. The phone number is 443-640-1052 and the fax number is 443-640-1031. Its website is www.wmma.org.