MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Jeff Wirkkala of Hardwood Industries Inc. in Sherwood, Oregon, was named the new president of the National Hardwood Lumber Association at the NHLA On Demand Conference & Exhibition held on Sept. 22.

In his acceptance speech, Wirkkala said, “I am honored and excited to be your president for the next two years. I pledge to give you my best efforts and thoughts. As we move forward, let’s start with a positive attitude that gives us the best chance for success, know there is more we don't know than we do know, and that failure is education if we learn from it. Join me in trying to make a difference.”

Also elected to the NHLA board were Jon Syre, Cascade Hardwood Group, in Chehalis, Washington, as NHLA vice president, and board members: Tom Coble of Hartzell Hardwoods Inc., Piqua, Ohio; Bill Courtney of Classic American Hardwoods, Memphis, Tennessee; Sam Glidden of GMC Hardwoods Inc., Medfield, Massachusetts; Greg Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick & Weller, Inc., Ellicottville, New York; and Trent Yoder of Yoder Lumber Co. Inc., Millersburg, Ohio.  The five new board members-at-large will each serve a three-year term beginning immediately.

Founded in 1898 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the National Hardwood Lumber Association is a member-based international trade association dedicated to the hardwood lumber industry. The NHLA represents the entire hardwood supply chain at all levels of production.