WoodLINKS USA Board of Directors August 2008 - August 2009
David Peel
President
Microvellum, Inc.
451 W. 6th Street
Medford, OR 97501
Tel: (800) 204-0913
Fax: (541) 245-1670
dave@microvellum.comDave Peel lives in Medford, Oregon and is the president and majority share holder in Microvellum, Inc. Microvellum provides software to the manufacturing industry with the focus on the secondary wood industry.
Mr. Peel has also been a long time supporter of industry education, including but not limited to a supporter of WoodLINKS USA. He also sits on the board of WoodLINKS USA and has recently agreed to be the next WoodLINKS USA President.
Patrick Molzahn
Vice-President
Program Director, Cabinet Making and Millwork
Madison Area Technical College
3550 Anderson St.
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 246-6842
pmolzahn@matcmadison.eduCredentials: B.I.A., School of the Art Institute, Chicago, IL; B.F.A., School of the Art Institute, Chicago, IL; Vocational Certification, Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building, Port Townsend, WA Patrick has had a lifelong love of working with wood. He joined MATC in 1998 after running his own Woodworking business for several years. Originally trained as an architect, he has a strong interest in Architectural Millwork. His pursuits have led him around the world in search of how other cultures train their craftspeople. After living in Japan for 2-1/2 years, he returned to the US to study traditional Wooden Boatbuilding. Although he is boat less, Patrick employs the curved and circular techniques he learned in much of his work. In 2008, Patrick was the recipient of the "WMIA, Educator of the Year" award.
David Hildenbrand
Secretary/Treasurer
Thermwood Corporation
P. O. Box 436
Dale, IN 47523
Tel: (800) 533-6901
david.hildenbrand@thermwood.comDavid Hildenbrand, president of Thermwood Corporation, Dale, Indiana, has over thirty years experience in CNC technology and wood industry knowledge. He has previously held technical, training, managerial and executive positions within the company. David currently serves as a director for Thermwood Europe and has conducted CNC technology presentations at various industry conferences. He resides in Jasper, Indiana with his wife and two daughters. David has served on the WoodLINKS USA board since July of 2008.
Mark Roberts
Mesa Community College
7635 South Willow Drive
Tempe, AZ 85284
Tel: am: (480) 472-5883
Fax: (480) 472-0392
Cell: 602-206-4372
robertsmarkd@msn.comNative of Indiana, living in Arizona since 1975
Married: Wife Marilyn, three grown daughters: Jennifer, Meredith, and Jessica
Education: Bachelors of Science and Masters of Science (Industrial Education), Purdue University
Experience: Thirty three years teaching Industrial Technology, Junior High, Senior High, and Community College. Experience in Federal Project Administration (Occupational Versatility). Past President of Arizona Technology and Industrial Teachers Association. US Army veteran.
Accomplishments: Numerous Skills USA State and National Championships in Leadership and Skills competition. Coach for National RTA Championship contest 2007.
Dr. Urs Buehlmann
Associate Professor
Virginia Tech
Brooks Forest Products Center
Mail Code 0503
1650 Ramble Road
Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
phone: 540.231.9759
fax: 540.231.8868
e-mail: buehlmann@gmail.com
skype: ubuehlmannUrs Buehlmann is an associate professor at Virginia Tech's Department of Wood Science and Forest Products and a member of the Sloan Foundation Forest Industries Center. His work focuses on secondary wood products manufacturing systems and business management. He has a special interest in issues related to globalization and its impact on the forest products industries.
Dr. Buehlmann has a background in industrial engineering and management. He received his Ph.D. in the area of wood processing from the Department of Wood Science and Forest Products and a MBA in Finance and Management from Virginia Tech. He previously obtained an industrial engineering degree from the Swiss Institute of Wood Technology as well as a cabinet making degree from a vocational school in Thun, Switzerland. Prior to joining Virginia Tech, he was general manager at Enkeboll Designs, Carson, California.
Anthony Lynn
President and Shareholder
Castle, Inc.
1364 N. McDowell Blvd.
Petaluma, CA 94954
707.765.0982 P
707.529.8630 C
alynn@castleusa.com
www.castleusa.comAnthony Lynn has been in the woodworking industry for over 30 years. In 1992 he left the wood products manufacturing business where he had been Manufacturing Manager for The Bench Collection in northern California and joined Castle Tool Manufacturing, Inc. as an owner and General Manager. He is presently President of Castle, Inc., which manufactures a line of woodworking machinery for the cabinetmaking and furniture industry.
Mr. Lynn has previously served on the Board of Directors of AWFS and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of WMMA. He currently serves on the WMMA Education Committee as well as AWFS Education and Scholarship Committee.
Robert Stout
RLS Commercial Interiors
7212 Siemens Rd.,
Wendell NC 27591
Tel: 919-365-4086
Fax: 919-365-4087
rlscom@bellsouth.netRobert Stout was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. In 1974, he attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC and later received a BS in Industrial and Technical Education in 1979. Robert moved to Raleigh, NC and there met Deborah Stokes in 1981 at the church they attended. They later married in April of 1983 in Raleigh, NC and are now the parents of two sons, Jonathan (age 21) and Jennings (age 16) and presently reside near Wendell, NC.
Robert began his career as a vocational education teacher in 1979 at West Millbrook Middle School in Raleigh, NC and taught for 5 years until 1984. While teaching, he started a side business making cabinetry to supplement their family income. In 1984, Robert Stout resigned his teaching position and started his own company outside of Raleigh in the nearby community of Knightdale, under the name of RLS Commercial Interiors, Inc. Open to this day with 25 years of service; RLS Commercial Interiors continues to manufacture premium architectural millwork, store fixtures, and institutional cabinetry for commercial buildings, restaurants, and retail space. The company is now located in Wendell, NC and has an approx. 10,000 SF facility with 9 employees that services the Raleigh/Durham North Carolina and neighboring areas.
Robert is active in participating with the industry association called the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) and presently serves as the Vice President of the association. Over the last 2 years, he has been involved in setting up the educational foundation for the association which became its own 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2008, and now serves as the President of the AWI Educational Foundation. He has served on the AWI Insurance and Safety Committee since 1997 and presently is chairman of that committee for 2009. In past years, he has served as a member of the Board of directors for AWI, chairman of the AWI Development Council for its 1st 2 years of implementation, and has served as the past president of the Carolinas AWI Chapter from 1998 to 2000.
Presently, Robert serves on the Board of Directors for WoodLinks, USA and has served as past Advisory Chairman for the WoodLinks program at Cedar Ridge High School, in Hillsborough, NC.
Other interest includes his involvement with his church where he serves as an elder and active member at the North Raleigh Church of Christ. His hobbies are furniture making, guitar/music compositions and recording, and outdoor gardening.
Herb Meldahl
1236 Butler Road
Rockford, IL 61108
815-332-8010
h.meldahl@verizon.netStarting in 1967 with the setting up, managing and marketing the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame, Meldahl has had forty years of successfully marketing product lines and companies. He has worked for Fortune 500 companies and served on the Corporate Advisory Board of the National Crime Prevention Council.
He has been involved with the woodwork industry on the supplier side at Forest City Tool and Greenlee Tool in the 80's & 90's and has been with ONSITE Woodwork for the last 6 years. He has chaired the Architectural Woodwork Institute's Marketing Committee and is a member of the AWI Development Council.
His experience includes marketing consulting for start-up companies and assistance to reinvigorate existing companies. He has presented marketing seminars for woodwork companies for AWI.
Jim Ruffolo
Burger Boat Company
1811 Spring Street
Manitowoc, WI 54220
Tel: 920-686-5102
Fax: 920-686-5103
jruffolo@burgerboat.comJim Ruffolo is co-owner of Burger Boat Company and Burger Yacht Sales where he serves as President. Burger designs and manufactures custom built aluminum motor and sailing yachts to 200'. Jim also serves as a national board member for WoodLINKS USA; President of WoodLINKS WI.; Director of the Manitowoc County, WI WoodLINKS effort; and continues to serve as an active committee member of the Manitowoc Harbor Commission. Jim previously served 7 years as board Trustee for the Manitowoc Public Library and most recently was past President of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum where he served 7 years as board Trustee and continues as an Honorary Board Member. Jim has demonstrated great leadership and experience overseeing Operations, HR and creating synergies between businesses, schools and working closely with local, state and national government agencies relating to job growth, business expansion and transportation issues.
David R. Spencer
Willow Creek Tool Sales, Inc.
P.O. Box 85 Main Street
Willow Creek, Montana 59760
Tel: 406-285-3247
Fax: 406-285-3794
Drs6982@aol.comPresident:
Willow Creek Tool Sales, Inc. 1982 to present
Willow Creek Wood Productivity Training Center 1992 to presentOwner:
Rosa Ranch 1984 to presentDavid began his love affair with wood at age 5 or 6 building rubber band boats in his father's basement workshop in Jericho, Vermont. After graduating from college with acceptance letters from law school, Mr. Spencer took a path less traveled by moving to Montana and opening a wood shop. From 1976 to 1982, David operated Spencer Design Unit, specializing in architectural restoration of historic buildings. In 1982, he started Willow Creek Tool in his garage in Willow Creek, MT (population 200). That company has grown to be one of the dominant suppliers of machinery and technology in seven states in the Western U.S.
In 1992, Spencer founded the Willow Creek Wood Productivity Training Center, a dedicated educational facility aimed at improving the productivity of woodworkers and their reverence for wood. With over 150 programs to its credit, the training center draws students regularly from ten western states.
As a strong advocate for the woodworking industry, Mr. Spencer sits on numerous educational foundations and boards, including the Sam and Alfred Maloof Foundation; Pittsburgh University Advisory Board; regional vocational training boards to name a few. He still spends as much time in his woodshop as possible.
Mitch Kohanek
Dakota County Technical College
National Institute of Wood Finishing
Wood Finishing Technology Program
1300 145th St. East
Rosemount MN 55068
651-423-8362
www.woodfinishing.org
www.dctc.eduKohanekMitch Kohanek has been an instructor for the Wood Finishing Technology Program at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, Minnesota since 1978. His graduates become the best professional finishers, furniture restorers, spot repair artists and pre-finishers this country has to offer. This program is the only certified finishing program in the US, and has been featured in Fine Woodworking and Better Homes and Gardens Wood magazine.
Mitch completed an internship at the Smithsonian Conservation and Analytical Laboratory and is a member of the American Institute of Conservation. He has lectured all over the US, a consultant for the finishing industry and has authored articles for the American Woodworker and Fine Woodworking Magazines.
Thomas W Tuck III
Marketing Coordinator & Regional Sales Manager
SCM Group USA, Inc.
2475 Satellite Blvd.
Duluth, GA 30096
Tel: (770)-622-6583
ttuck@scmgroup-usa.comThomas Tuck was born and raised in Hillsborough, NC. In 2003, he graduated from the Cedar Ridge High School woods program and received his WoodLINKS Certification. Thomas attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC where he graduated with honors and received a BS in Furniture Studies and a BS Business Management. While in school Thomas interned with Great Lake Woods of Holland, MI and the Association of Woodworking Furnishing Suppliers (AWFS) of Commerce, CA, was named Wood Digest Student of the Month in November 2005, and received scholarships from AWFS, WMIA, WoodWork Institute and American Home Furnishing Alliance
After graduating from ASU, Thomas began working at SCM GROUP USA, a world leader of industrial woodworking equipment, in Duluth, GA, as Marketing Coordinator. Thomas now continues as Marketing Coordinator, and also works as Regional Sales Manager in parts of the South East.
Paul M. Winistorfer, PhD
Dean, College of Natural Resources
324 Cheatham Hall (0324)
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061
phone: 540-231-5481
Email: pstorfer@vt.edu
www.cnr.vt.eduDr. Paul Winistorfer is professor and head of the department of Wood Science and Forest Products, College of Natural Resources, at Virginia Tech. The department is one of the recognized leaders in wood science research, teaching and outreach in North America. His areas of research expertise include radiation densitometry, and wood-based composites design, manufacture and performance. He is the founder and a principal of QMS, Inc. a leading instrumentation company providing non-destructive density measuring equipment to the panel industry. He is a two-time recipient of the American Museum of Science & Energy Emerging Technology Award. He was awarded a U.S. patent for development of an optical system for thickness swell measurements in wood composites. He has published over 40 peer reviewed publications associated with his research in wood composites and generated over $2 million in support of his research program.. He was recognized as the outstanding teacher in the College of Agriculture at the University of Tennessee. He is past president of the Forest Products Society and WoodLINKS USA. He was elected a Fellow in the International Academy of Wood Science in 2004. He previously held faculty positions at the University of Georgia and the University of Tennessee prior to joining Virginia Tech in 2001. He holds the B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Iowa State University.
HONORARY (Non-Voting Members):
Gerald E. Finch (JERRY)
(Fox Valley Technical College-RET)
Finchworks
405 Wyman Street
New London, WI 54961
Tel: (920) 982-6210
Fax: (920) 424-1364
finchworks@charter.netAge: 64
Married: Lynne (Lehto) since 1/27/68
Children: Sarah (34), Abigail (32) 3 Grandchildren: Henry, Lucy, ZoeEducation:
Graduate of Iola-Scandinavia High School, 1962
BS in 1967 from Univ. of Wis. - Stevens Point (History, Physics)
MS in 1978 from Univ. of Wis. - Stout (Industrial Education)Wood Manufacturing Technology instructor( retired) at Fox Valley Technical College — Oshkosh (S.J.Spanbauer campus.) Founder of the program in 1982. Work experience: Supervisor at Simmons Juvenile Products (children's furniture); shop manager for Ronald Wahl — Organbuilder (pipe organs); taught high school Industrial Arts at Sun Prairie HS; salesman/application engineer (3 years) for Honeywell, Inc. (commercial temperature controls); worked several years as a painter and interior finisher, starting at age 12 (father was a painting contractor).
Under Jerry's direction, the Wood Manufacturing Technology program at Fox Valley Technical College has been recognized as among the best. It received the Wisconsin Exemplary Educational Service award in 1990, and was named national Woodworking Educator of the Year for 1996 by the Woodworking Machinery Industry Assoc. (also nominated in 2003 and 2004) Its success in training shop floor workers has been featured in articles and editorials in such trade publications as Wood & Wood Products, Custom Woodworking Business, Wood Digest, and Furniture Manufacturing Management.
Jerry's efforts to improve the quality of woodworking education and training have included: founding member of the Institute for Woodworking Education(defunct); member AWI Educ. Planning Comm., Careers Task Force, and past member of the Board of Directors of the Architectural Woodwork Institute; WMIA Industry/ Education Forum; Advisory Board-Grinderman's Association; Advisory Board-Willow Creek Productivity Center.
He has presented at technical seminars for: the National Assoc. of Store Fixture Manufacturers; the Natl. Labor-Management Committee for the Custom Woodworking Industry; the Custom Woodworking Business Conference; Willow Creek Wood Productivity Center. He served on a US Forest Service team to assess the Robert C. Byrd Hardwood Productivity Center in Princeton, WV (now renamed the Wood Education & Resource Center.) His efforts secured funding for a complete re-write and update of the Wisconsin Cabinetmaking/Millwork Apprentice curriculum, done at Fox Valley Technical College in 1997-98.
He is a judge for the annual design contest sponsored by Custom Woodworking Business magazine. He was an advising member of the Secondary Wood Products Manufacturing Industry Skill Standards Project, sponsored by the Univ. of Washington and Bates Technical College, and was a member of the committee to rewrite the Arizona Woodworking Program Curriculum. Jerry is an honorary/retired Board member of WoodLINKS-USA and has been actively involved since 1996 with this non-profit industry organization dedicated to improving woodworking education in high schools. He is the coordinator for the WoodLINKS teacher education programs at IWF in Atlanta and the AWFS show in Las Vegas. He is a Board member of WoodLINKS — Wisconsin.
He is Board member of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America, a non-profit corporation founded to develop national skill standards for the woodworking industry. This initiative is supported by AWI, WMMA. WMIA, AWFS and the US Forest Service.
In 2000, he received the very first H. Victor Baldi award for Excellence in Teaching. This award, carrying a $1000 stipend, is given annually to an outstanding teacher at Fox Valley Technical College. Jerry is a member of the Assoc. for Career and Technical Education.
Jerry retired from FVTC on July 1, 2006 and is continuing to teach woodworking safety and machine operation as a contracted consultant for several companies in the woodworking industry.
Steve Finnessy
Endever Hardwoods
1250 St. Agustine Road
Hubertus, WI 53033
Tel: (888)434-7957
Fax: (262)623-8728
Cell: (262)623-8782
steven@endeavorhardwoods.comSteven Finnessy is an Account Executive for Endeavor Hardwoods Inc. in Lyndon Station WI. Beginning his venture into the Architectural woodwork industry in 1978, while in high school, he has worked in both manufacturing and distribution.
He is a past President of the AWI WI chapter and has served on the board from 1993-2007. From 2007-present he has chaired the education committee.
In 1999 along with Jerry Finch they organized a meeting of industry people and started the WoodLINKS USA (WLUSA) program in Wisconsin. He currently is Treasurer of the WI board.
2000-present he has served on the board of directors for WLUSA. He currently Treasurer of WLUSA board.
2008-Present he has served on the Technology and Engineering Education advisory committee for Hartford Union High School.
L. Duane Griffiths
Manager of Educational Services
Stiles Machinery Inc.
3965 44th Street, SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Tel: (616) 698-7500
Fax: (616) 698-9411
dgriffiths@stilesmachinery.comDuane is currently the Director of Educational Services at Stiles Machinery, Inc. There he manages a staff of faculty and support personnel to develop and deliver training courses for the panel processing industry. Stiles Education is internationally known for providing accredited hands-on training for machine operators, maintenance technicians, programmers and others. Stiles Education remains the only training institution in our industry that has been accredited by the prestigious International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET). Under Duane's leadership, Stiles Education has been recognized as "Educator of the Year" by the Woodworking Machinery Importers Association. Duane's knowledge and expertise in solid wood and panel processing resulted in his peers selecting him for induction into the Furniture Hall of Fame.
Duane previously held the position of professor in charge of the highly recognized Wood Technology program at Pittsburg State University, and was named Director of their National Wood Technology Center.
Duane has written numerous papers and journal articles, and published several technical textbooks and references. He is active in trade associations and was named the first "Educator of the Year" by WMIA. Duane with Stiles Machinery continues to be a strong supporter of Woodwork Manufacturing Skill Standards, WoodLINKS USA and promote the growth and education and training in the woodworking industry.
Jerry Hicks
Creative Marketing
137 Lamplighter Circle
Winston Salem, NC 27104
Tel: (336) 768-7327
Cell: (336) 918-8618
jhicks9@triad.rr.com
Keith Malmstadt
Great Lake Woods, Inc.
3303 John F. Donnelly Drive
Holland, MI 49424
Tel: (616) 399-3300
Fax: (616) 399-3679
kmalmstadt@greatlakewoodsKeith holds a BA and MBA in Business, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and is a Certified Management Accountant.
After graduation he joined Keamey and Trecker in Milwaukee, a large manufacturer of machine tools, as a cost accountant. Displaced by an economic slow down, Keith accepted a position with Haworth, Inc. in Holland, MI as a cost analyst in 1983. Through the experience gained at Haworth, and the opportunity to grow, Keith accepted a position in 1985 as Controller of Vista Business Forms of Oshtmo, MI, and later Controller/Treasurer in 1987 at Lippert Furniture in Zeeland, MI. This experience and his own drive to become a business owner, lead him to purchase a 33% interest in Great Lake Woods, Inc. in 1993. In 1996, he expanded his ownership to 50%, and in 2005 purchased a majority of the outstanding stock.
Under his leadership, Great Lake Woods, Inc and GLW Finishing, LLC have grown from a small residential moulding and millwork company with 35 employees and $4MM in sales to 160+ employees with sales exceeding $25MM.
In 1999 Keith became involved with WoodLINKS. Keith has committed significant time, and resources to the WoodLINKS Program by serving on the Board of Directors, as Secretary, Treasurer, and 2004-2005 as President.
Keith has also been the recipient of several awards;
- 2004 Top 100 Fastest Growing Woodworking Firms, Wood 100
- 2005 Top 100 Fastest Growing Woodworking Firms, Wood 100
- 2005 Small Business of the Year, Holland Area Chamber of Commerce
- 2006 Top 100 Fastest Growing Woodworking Firms, Wood 100
- 2006 Small Business of the Year, State of Michigan
- 2007 Top 100 Fastest Growing Woodworking Firms, Wood 100
- 2007 Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies in the U.S.
- 2007 Distinguished Alumni of the Year UW-Eau Claire
- 2008 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist
- 2008 Jerry Metz Award, Wood and Wood Products
John Schultz
President, Super Thin Saws
Waterbury, VermontJohn Schultz is founder and president of Super Thin Saws of Waterbury, Vermont, a manufacturer of high-tech circular saws. Currently that is primarily owned by UCT Coatings. Upon graduation from MIT, and before starting STS, John started several other businesses, including Green Mountain Valley School, a small private school with ski racers as its intended market.
Always interested in education, John served for years on the local school board, and various other boards as well. He has also been a frequent presenter at university colloquia and practical symposiums dealing with sawblades and tooling for woodworking. He has also contributed numerous articles on the subject to woodworking journals.
His current responsibilities with Super Thin Saws include development of overseas markets and coordinating research with product development. He also current Treasurer of WMMA.
