HUME, IL - WoodLINKS USA announced that Mark Smith, a woodworking instructor at Shiloh High School in Hume, IL, has been hired as the non-profit group’s new national program director.

Smith succeeds Wilf Torunski, who was instrumental in helping WoodLINKS gain traction in the U.S. woodworking industry and high school vocational woodworking programs nationwide.

Smith has been a WoodLINKS teacher since 1996. He has a BS in Industrial Technology from Eastern Illinois University and has continued to earn and learn via continuing education courses in various manufacturing technologies.

Paul Winistorfer, president of WoodLINKS USA, called Smith’s WoodLINKS program at Shiloh High School “one of the very best in the country, with exceptional support from industry partners, parents and Shiloh school administration.”

“Mark brings industry and classroom experience to WoodLINKS USA, as well as demonstrated success in establishing a strong WoodLINKS program at Shiloh High School,” wrote Winistorfer in the most recent WoodLINKS newsletter. “Mark is passionate about the wood industry, working with students and industry supporters, and is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about WoodLINKS.”

Winistorfer noted that Torunski and his wife Donna would be honored during the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas “for their leadership, friendship and passionate, heartfelt work with WoodLINKS over the years.”