American Forest Resource Council aims at increasing access to timber supply
Travis Joseph, American Forest Resource Council
PORTLAND, Ore. - American Forest Resource Council let the Trump administration know it wants to work with Republicans and Democrats to enact "the change our federal forests and rural communities need."
The association, headed by Travis Joseph, signed on to a letter from the National Association of Manufacturers, "in sending an important message to President-Elect Trump and Congress. It is important that all of our elected leaders do the right thing by pursuing solutions and working in good faith for all Americans."
Representing forest products manufacturers throughout the Northwest, AFRC's Joseph says the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management will need budget increases to get the forests under control so that timber production can increase.
 
 "In the long term it will save us money because we face a federal forest crisis, with millions of acres that are diseased, fire-prone, and overstocked," Joseph told the Wall St. Journal.
 
Jospeh was named president of American Forest Resource Council amforest.org FRC last summer following eight years in Washington D.C. working for Congressman DeFazio, the House Committee on Natural Resources, and the House Committeeon Transportation and Infrastructure.
Joseph helped manage the family business in Eugene and Creswell, working his way up from janitor to Assistant Manager. After earning a degree from the University of Oregon, he earned his master’s degree in environmental policy from the London School of Economics.
 
Joseph spent eight years in Washington D.C. working for his hometown Congressman Peter DeFazio and the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He helped write federal legislation to improve management of the O&C Lands in Western Oregon thattwice passed the House of Representatives. He also worked on regional water, energy, wildlife,and conservation issues.
 
AFRC is a regional trade association which advocates for sustained yield timber harvests onpublic timberlands throughout the West to enhance forest health and resistance to fire, insects,and disease. It represents over 50 timber manufacturers and landowners in five Western states.
 
The National Association of Manufactuers letter to Trump carried 1,100 signatures, including a number from wood manufacturing inudstry suppliers, such as:  Richard Dauch, CEO of Accuride Corporation; Todd Herzog, president, Accu-Router, Inc.; 
Donna Harman, President & CEO, American Forest & Paper Association; Robert Glowinski, President & CEO, American Wood Council; Richard Walker, President and CEO, American Architectural Manufacturers Association; Philip Duvic, Executive Vice President, Architectural Woodwork Institute; Donald Maier, President and Chief Executive Officer, Armstrong Flooring. Inc. and Jimmy Wilson, President, Bay Wood Products, Inc.
 
Here is the letter from the National Association of Manufacturers to President-elect Trump.
 
To the President-Elect:
 
We believe in an exceptional America. We believe we are stronger as a nation when we are united. And, we believe we, as business leaders, all have a unique responsibility to bring our country back together again—a responsibility we wholeheartedly embrace.
 
We write today not only to offer our congratulations but also to express our commitment in reuniting our country and our people after this particularly difficult election. It is our shared belief that we, representing companies large and small, have an urgent need to restore faith in our vital economic and government institutions and to bolster the promise of America—to lift everyone up and leave no one behind. American families, businesses and our communities cannot truly prosper and reach their full potential in a country that is divided and distrustful.
 
We will look for areas upon which we agree and can work productively with your new administration. To be sure, we are aware that there will be times when we disagree on the specifics of important policies, and we will respectfully make our voices heard when we do. We do believe, however, that we can be constructive—both when we agree and when we do not—if we can all approach challenging situations in good faith, guided by an unwavering commitment to a greater purpose. 
 
The days after a hard-fought presidential election have traditionally been a time to mend the divisions in our country, with political parties and nominees moving beyond the harshness of the campaign season and putting our nation, and our democratic system, first before all else.
 
You can count on us to help lead the way in bringing about that healing and reconciliation.  
 
Jay Timmons
President and CEO
National Association of Manufacturers
 

 

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.