2007 Annual Meeting

Sept. 29 – Oct. 2

Charleston, S.C.

August 3, 2007

Keynote Speaker to Address Bioenergy

Rising energy costs and growing concern about relying on fossil fuels are directing attention toward the nation’s forests and farmlands for a potential solution. As keynote speaker at SFPA’s 2007 Annual Meeting, Dick Carmical will explain why some see bioenergy as the answer for America’s future energy needs and what that means to the forest products industry.

Dick has spent his career in the forest products industry and is general manager of Price BIOstock Services, recently formed by The Price Companies Inc. of Monticello, Ark., to provide management and operations technology services to companies involved in the growth of biofuel refineries in North America and abroad.  Considered a top speaker on bioenergy, he is vice chairman of the Forest Resources Association and a member of the American Council on Renewable Energy’s Biomass Coordinating Council. He and his company also support the efforts of 25x‘25, a volunteer group whose mission states: “By 2025, America’s farms, forests and ranches will provide 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States, while continuing to produce safe, abundant and affordable food, feed and fiber.”  

For more information about the meeting and how to register, please see the 2007 Annual Meeting brochure or contact Dianne Breaux at 504/443-4464, ext. 225, or dbreaux@sfpa.org.

EXPO 2009 Off to Good Start

The future looks bright for EXPO 2009 with 46% of the show’s exhibit space already reserved and 74 exhibitors on board. “We’re very excited about the level of commitment we’re seeing to EXPO 2009 and our new venue,” said EXPO Director Eric Gee. EXPO will return to New Orleans for the first time since 1991. “We’ve never pre-sold the show so soon after closing our previous event and are impressed with the response,” Eric said. EXPO 2007 was held in Atlanta, Ga., in June. For more information about EXPO 2009, contact Eric at 504/443-4464, ext. 214, or egee@sfpa.org.

SFPA Welcomes New Member

Baxley Equipment Company of Hot Springs, Ark., has joined SFPA as an associate member. Baxley offers equipment, parts and services for the sawmill industry. The firm was founded in 2004 by Chris Raybon, who was soon joined by partners Pat Conry and Russell Kennedy. Thirteen employees later became shareholders, making Baxley an employee-owned company. Jada Smith will represent Baxley with SFPA. She can be contacted at 501/623-0065 or at jadas@baxleyequipment.com.

Kaake Represents SFPA at Technical Meetings

Cathy Kaake, SFPA’s director of engineered and framing markets, recently participated in technical meetings held by the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB) and American Wood Council (AWC). SPIB, a non-profit organization dedicated to the maintenance of high standards in the Southern Pine forest products industry, held its MSR and technical committee meetings in Pensacola Beach, Fla., July 19-20. AWC, which strives to develop internationally recognized standards for wood design and construction, held its annual technical committee meetings July 24-26 in Leesburg, Va. AWC’s wood design standards and technical committees met as well as subcommittees on structural design and fire performance of wood. “Participating in these meetings ensures that we have access to the latest information and that our use guides, span tables and other materials are up-to-date,” Cathy said. For more information, contact Cathy at 504/443-4464, ext. 213, or ckaake@sfpa.org.

PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION  

mechanical means, without written authorization from SFPA is prohibited.