High-quality ready-to-assemble furniture was on display by WoodLINKS USA students at the August 2010 International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta. More than $13,000 in prizes were handed out to five high schools and post-secondary institutions.

Projects were judged on craftsmanship, design, and a marketing plans. Judges were: Duane Griffiths of Stiles Education, headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI; David Spencer, president of Willow Creek Tool Sales, Inc. in Willow Creek, MO; and Judson Beaumont, a custom furniture designer and manufacturer, hailing from Vancouver BC, Canada.

The competition was underwritten by the American Household Furnishings Alliance and IWF which supported the students and teachers for travel, housing and exhibitor space expenses. There were a total of eight entries from the five schools chosen to come to Atlanta to display their projects.

“I was extremely impressed with the quality of the entries and maturity of the students when we interviewed them,” said Spencer, a former woodworker and current machinery and tool distributor. “The creativity of design and the workmanship was impressive.”

WoodLINKS USA/IWF RTA Contest Third Place Winner (team) – Madison Area Technical College (clockwide from lower left): Jason Rundhaug, John Leonard, Alex Bower and Tim Corniels. (Not shown: Second Place Winners from Lincoln East Nebraska HS.).

WoodLINKS USA RTA/IWF Fourth Place Winner – Halifax County High School, Shown are students, Patrick Prophet, left, and Kenton Beard.

WoodLINKS USA/IWF Fifth Place Winner – Harper Creek High School. Shown are, left to right, Tyler Betterley, Jordan Barry and instructor Ralph Hermanson.

Coming away with the top prize was a four-student team from the Dale Jackson Career Center in Lewisville, TX. The winning entry was an end table that doubles as a hidden safe for prized positions. The instructor at the Career Center is Joe Davis.

Second place went to a four-student team (Nick Grabowski, Drew Zobel, Taylor Kingsley and Brad Pickerill) from Lincoln East High School in Lincoln, NE. The project was an RTA chair. The wood tech instructor is Jeff McCabe.

Third place was garnered by Madison (Wisconsin) Area Technical College which had four entries. The program director/instructor is Patrick Molzahn. Projects ranged from knock-down tables to a wine rack. Fourth place was awarded to Halifax High School in South Boston VA. The four-student team produced an RTA table. The instructor is Clint Johnson.

Fifth place went to Harper Creek High School in Battle Creek MI. The project designed and built by the four-student team was a quilt rack. The instructor is Ralph Hermanson.

“By far, this was the highest quality of entries we’ve had in the three IWF events that we’ve held this competition,” said Mark Smith, WoodLINKS National Director for the past four years. “I’d like to thank all of our supporters and the judges for making this event the best yet.” See next page for more winners.

WoodLINKS funding and expense
By David Peel, WoodLINKS USA Board President
As president of a major wood-related software company – and as former woodworker, myself — I feel a sincere obligation to ensuring the wood industry in this country remains viable and competitive in global markets. WoodLINKS USA is key to this. As a non-profit 501-3c national organization, it relies on wood industry groups and individuals for on-going support. Though WoodLINKS struggles like many in our industry, I’m committed to its mission and its goals.
WoodLINKS USA schools, upon joining the program, pay a one-time $5,000 license fee (paid over a three-year period). Often its paid by industry partners — manufacturers of wood products and others — who ultimately benefit from the educational and teacher support WoodLINKS USA provides to its member schools.
For this one-time fee, teachers and schools receive in-service training, travel and expenses to the major wood industry trade shows, and more than $100,000 in products and services from wood industry supporters, things like free software from major industry suppliers, veneer products and others items. WoodLINKS also offers free training for teachers at major wood industry training sites.
WoodLINKS USA is a partner and strong supporter of the Woodwork Career Alliance, actively involved with developing national skill standards for the woodworking industry. WoodLINKS USA is a strong partner with the Architectural Wood Woodwork Institute, overriding sponsor of the WCA, in establishing national standards for professional woodworking. We’re helping to establish observable and measurable standards for tool and machine operators to evaluate performance and results produced by woodworking professionals. We welcome your support for our “university” of giving (learn more at Woodlinksusa.org). Thanks for your continued and future support.

WoodLINKS USA Board
Officers
David Peel, President, President (Microvellum, Inc.)
Patrick Molzahn, Vice President (Program Dir., Cabinet Making/ Millwork, Madison, WI Tech. College)
David Hildenbrand, Sec./Treasurer (President, Thermwood Corp.)

Directors
Mark Roberts Instructor, Mesa Community College, Tempe, AZ
Urs Buehlmann Assoc. Prof., Virginia Tech Brooks Forest Products Center, Blacksburg VA
Anthony Lynn GM, Castle Tool Manufacturing, Inc.
Mitch Kohanek Dakota County Tech. College, National Institute of Wood Finishing/Wood Finishing Tech. Program, Rosemount, MN
Robert Stout RLS Commercial Interiors, Charlotte, NC
Thomas W Tuck III Marketing Coordinator & Regional Sales Manager, SCM Group USA, Inc. Duluth, GA
David Spencer President, Willow Creek (VT) Tool Sales, Inc.
Dr. Paul M. Winistorfer, PhD, Dean, College of Natural Resources Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, VA 24061
Jim Ruffolo (former dir.) President, Burger Boat Manitowoc, WI

Honorary Members (Non-Voting Members):
Jerry Finch Fox Valley, WI Technical College-retired
Steven Finnessy Endeavor Hardwoods, Lyndon Station WI
Duane Griffiths Manager, Educational Services, Stiles Machinery
Jerry Hicks Creative Marketing, Winston Salem, NC
Keith Malmstadt President Great Lake Woods, Inc. Holland, MI
John Schultz President, Super Thin Saws, Waterbury, VT