USDA Seeks National Softwood Lumber Board Nominees

Date
February 11, 2021

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for the Softwood Lumber Board to fill seats for six members whose terms expire Dec. 31, 2021. Nominations are due to the board by April 20, 2021. Selected representatives will serve three-year terms.

The board is seeking nominees for the following seats:

  • One small size domestic manufacturer representing the U.S. South Region.
  • One domestic manufacturer of any size representing the U.S. South Region.
  • Two large domestic manufacturers representing the U.S. West Region.
  • One large softwood lumber importer representing the Canada West Region.
  • One softwood lumber importer of any size representing importers from any region.

The Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order defines large companies as those that account for the top two-thirds of the volume of assessable softwood lumber annually. Small companies account for the remaining assessable softwood lumber.

The Softwood Lumber Board is composed of 14 members, including 10 domestic manufacturers and four importers. The board is industry-funded and supports the marketing and promotion of softwood lumber.

Applications are available on the Softwood Lumber Board website, or by contacting Softwood Lumber Board Vice President, Operations Maureen Pello at (503) 632-9933 or mpello@softwoodlumberboard.org, or USDA Marketing Specialist Andrea Ricci at (202) 572-1442 or andrea.ricci@usda.gov. Program information is also available on the AMS Softwood Lumber Board webpage.

AMS policy is that the diversity of the board should reflect the diversity of their industries in experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. When submitting nominations, the industry must consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.

Since 1966, Congress has authorized industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight to 21 boards. The oversight ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity and is paid for by industry assessments.

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