The Wood Industry Association (WIA) presented its Educator of the Year award and the 2026 Ralph B. Baldwin Award of Excellence at the Wood Industry Conference today, May 6.

The winner of the Wooden Globe Award for Educator of the Year is Molly Turner, a wood manufacturing instructor at Ignacio High School in Ignacio, Colorado. 

Ralph B. Baldwin Award of Excellence

The second award presented was the 2026 Ralph B. Baldwin Award of Excellence. The winner was Madison Burt, CEO, Weima America Inc., who was honored for his past and ongoing contributions to the industry at the Wood Industry Conference held by the WIA-Wood Industry Association.

Presented at WIA’s Annual Business Meeting, the award recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the woodworking industry. Named in honor of longtime industry leader and past WMMA President Ralph B. Baldwin, the award celebrates exemplary service, leadership, and dedication to the wood machinery and manufacturing sector.

The mission of the Wood Industry Association (WIA) is to improve management operations, marketing programs, sales techniques, merchandising, and distribution functions of those engaged in the domestic or foreign manufacture of woodworking machinery and ancillary equipment and/or the sale of such equipment in North America.