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FOREST RESOURCES ASSOCIATION INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEETING AGENDA

82nd Annual Meeting Cheyenne Mountain Resort Colorado Springs, Colorado

May 6, 2016

9:45 AM (or immediately following the CEO Guest Speaker)

NOTE: Please review this agenda book and bring it with you to the meeting. NOTE: ALL FRA Committee, Foundation, and Board Meetings (except for the

Executive Committee Meeting) are open meetings at this 2016 FRA Annual Meeting. Board members, participating members, guests, and others are encouraged to attend these FRA meetings as observers if the subject matter interests them. Detailed Agendas for all Committee meetings will be e-mailed in advance to all Committee members. Non-Committee members may request advance copies of specific Detailed Agendas by calling the FRA National Office (202-296-3937).

FRA’S VISION, MISSION, AND SUPPORTING STATEMENTS

VISION STATEMENT

The Forest Resources Association represents diverse segments of the wood fiber supply chain,

promoting forest products industry members’ ability to compete successfully in the global

marketplace.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Mission of the Forest Resources Association is to promote the interests of forest products

industry members in the economical, efficient, and sustainable use of forest resources to meet the

needs of the wood fiber supply chain through private enterprise.

Supporting Statements

Forest products industry members include all segments of the wood fiber supply chain,

including landowners, land managers, wood suppliers, wood procurement organizations,

manufacturers, and those who support them with products and services.

FRA will manage, reduce, or eliminate health, safety, security, regulatory, environmental

and economic risks inherent in the harvest, transportation, and processing of wood

products.

FRA will support the transfer of leading edge fiber supply methods and technology to

support members’ outgoing competitiveness and their continuous improvement in

harvesting, transportation, safety, BMP’s, and environmentally sound forestry.

FRA will study and benchmark the capabilities of the wood fiber supply chain’s global

competition.

FRA will promote and proactively ensure the right to continue sustainable wood fiber

harvest.

FRA will coordinate and encourage pro-forestry activism through alliances with allied

associations and outreach to grass roots partners.

FRA will recognize excellence through award programs.

FRA will take the lead in monitoring and intervening with federal regulation or legislation

affecting independent contractor relationships, timber harvesting safety, and in-bound

forest products transportation.

FRA will publish high-quality information that furthers fulfillment of its Mission.

FRA will provide strong, viable, and productive Regional Divisions.

FRA will remain member-driven, results-oriented and cost-effective.

FRA will promote the practice of sustainable forestry.

FRA will encourage the utilization of credible forest certification systems.

April 13, 2008

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Diamond

STIHL Inc.

Gold

Expera Specialty Solutions

Forest2Market

John Deere

Weyerhaeuser

Silver

ArborGen

BITCO Insurance

Davis-Garvin Agency

Future Wood

Georgia Biomass

Glatfelter

Green Bay Packaging

International Paper

Interstate/Newport Timber

Johnson Timber

Prentiss & Carlisle

Sennebogen

Timber Mart-South

Bronze

Baywood Technologies

Drax Biomass

Forest Investment Associates

Huber Engineered Woods

Outdoor Underwriters

The Price Companies

Forest Resources Association 2014-16 Board of Directors

Chair Tom Reed Formerly with Plum Creek Timber Vice Chair Jim Contino Verso Corporation Vice Chair Mark Fryer Davis-Garvin Agency Vice Chair Joseph Parnell Parnell Inc. Immediate Past Chair Tom Norris Interstate Paper/Newport Timber Member Lee Alexander International Paper Member Keith Biggs Forestry Mutual Insurance Company Member Randy Blomberg Blomberg Logging Inc. Member Rusty Booker Drax Biomass Member Rick Breuner Fiber Industry Consultants Member Mark Byal IndusTREE Timber

Member Dennis Carey Pine Timber Wood Production Member Dick Carmical The Price Companies Member Yvonne Caruso Grand Forest Inc. Member David Cawein Green Bay Packaging Member Bud DeLano Expera Specialty Solutions Member Mark Edens LP Member Mike Farris BancorpSouth Member Jim Fendig Fendig & Associates/WSRI Member Andy Ferguson American Forest Management Member Donnie Fleming ArborGen Member Brad Fuller Huber Engineered Woods

Member Aaron Gilland Dendro Resource Management Member Rocky Goodnow Forest Economic Advisors Member Brian Gray Peterson Corporation Member Kent Hall STIHL Inc. Member Tom Hancock Resource Management Service Member David Harrelson St. Joe Timberland Co. Member Tom Harris Timber Mart-South Member Randy Hervey BITCO Insurance Companies Member Kevin Hudson WestRock Member Jeff Jenkins Glatfelter Woodlands Member Bill Johnson, Jr. Johnson Timber Corp/Flambeau River Papers Member Jason Koskinen Formerly with Caterpillar Forest Products Member Dale Lemmons Interstate Wood Products

Member Al Lewis Norbord Member Carl Lockhart John Deere Member Rick Malm Timbervest Member Chris Marsh Rayonier Advanced Materials Member Brent Martin Prentiss & Carlisle Co. Member Ryan McAvoy Sappi Fine Paper Member Matt McCall Canal Wood Member John McNulty Seven Islands Land Co. Member William Miller, III F&W Forestry Services Member Allen Morgan Hunter-Wasson Timber Services LLC Member Tommy L. Norris Tri-State Land & Timber Member John Northey Port Townsend Paper Co. Member Barry Parrish Georgia Biomass

Member William Perritt RISI Member Donald Pope Packing Corporation of America Member Walt Rose Husqvarna Professional Products Member Richard Schwab M.A. Rigoni Inc. Member Ken Sewell Molpus Woodlands Group Member Tom Skaggs Outdoor Underwriters Member Dan Smith Northwoods Management Member Jason Smith Southport Forest Products Member Jim Stemple Enviva

Member Pete Stewart Forest2Market Member Richard Thoms Richton Tie and Timber Member Thomas Trembath Forest Investment Associates Member David E. West KapStone Member Robert Williams Quercus Forest Products Member Joe Young Low Country Forest Products Secretary Deborah Hawkinson Forest Resources Association Inc. FRA Counsel Anthony Macleod Whitman, Breed, Abbott & Morgan LLC

FRA BOARD MEETING AGENDA SUMMARY

Friday, May 6, 2016 Colorado II-III

9:45 AM – NOON Cheyenne Mountain Resort

Colorado Springs, Colorado

AGENDA ITEMS

1) Welcome and Introductions (Tom Reed) Page 1

2) Minutes of the Last Meeting (Tom Reed) Page 1

3) Antitrust Statement (FRA Counsel Tom O’Connor) Page 1

4) FRA Executive Committee Report (Tom Reed) Page 2

5) Report on FY 2015-2016 Projected Year End Financials (Tom Reed) Page 2

6) FY 2016-2017 Proposed FRA Budget (Tom Reed) Page 3

7) FRA National Operations Committee Report (Brad Fuller) Page 3

8) FRA National Supplier/Consumer Relations Committee Report (Randy Blomberg) Page 4

9) FRA National Public Policy/Advocacy Committee Report (Bill Johnson) Page 5

10) THATS Safety Foundation Report (Carl Lockhart) Page 6

11) FRA National Meetings Advisory Group Report on Future Mtgs (Pete Stewart)

12) FRA Nominating Committee Report (Tom Norris) Page 7

13) Installation of New FRA Chair Page 8

14) 2016-18 Committee, Foundation and Task Group Appointments Page 8

15) Additional Items Requiring Board Action Page 8

16) Other Business Page 8

17) Adjournment Page 8

Note:

The Annual Members Breakfast will begin at 7:30 AM in Remington I & II, followed

by our guest speaker, Jim Morgan, at 9:00 AM (Colorado II-III).

The Board of Directors’ Meeting will begin at 9:45 AM - or immediately following the

speaker - in the same location (Colorado II-III).

Forest Resources Association

Detailed Board Meeting Agenda

Colorado Springs, Colorado

May 6, 2016

9:45 AM

Agenda Item One – Welcome and Introductions FRA Chair Tom Reed will ask all Board members, FRA National Committee members, FRA staff,

and guests to provide self-introductions.

Agenda Item Two – Minutes of the Last Meeting Minutes of the October 9, 2015, meeting of FRA’s Board, held in Washington, DC, were

distributed to all FRA Board members. An additional copy of the meeting Minutes is included in

the Appendix (see Appendix Item A).

Action Requested: Approval of Minutes as distributed.

Agenda Item Three – Antitrust Statement FRA Counsel will apprise the Board of the necessity of operating within the nation’s antitrust laws

and provide an update on any current antitrust or other legal issues that may have an impact on

Forest Resources Association members.

The Forest Resources Association supports members’ commitment to full compliance with

all antitrust laws, whether of state or federal jurisdiction, and believes that an active

education program to acquaint members with the requirements of these laws will foster

productive association work while promoting free enterprise. At FRA meetings, there must

be no discussions related to prices, or terms of purchase or sale, of products FRA members

buy and sell or of other matters which might inhibit the competitive workings of the free

market, including actions which may divide markets or create boycotts. The meeting

secretary, or anyone attending the meeting, may interrupt the meeting if at any time he or

she feels discussion is creating the possibility of an anticompetitive situation, or the

appearance of one.

1

Agenda Item Four – Executive Committee Report Chair Reed will present a report on Association finances, membership recruiting (see handout),

and other Executive Committee items.

Tom Reed, Chair Formerly of Plum Creek Timber

Jim Contino, Vice Chair Verso Corporation

Mark Fryer, Vice Chair Davis-Garvin Agency

Joseph Parnell, Vice Chair Parnell Inc.

Lee Alexander International Paper

Randy Blomberg Blomberg Logging Inc.

Dick Carmical* The Price Companies

David Cawein Green Bay Packaging Inc.

Mark Edens LP

Kevin Hudson WestRock

Bill Johnson, Jr. Johnson Timber Corp./Flambeau River Papers

Brent Martin Prentiss & Carlisle Co.

Ryan McAvoy Sappi Fine Paper

Tom Norris* Interstate Paper/Newport Timber

Tommy Norris Tri-State Land & Timber

Donald Pope Packaging Corporation of America

Pete Stewart Forest2Market

Thomas Trembath Forest Investment Associates

David West KapStone

Joe Young Low Country Forest Products

Bill Miller, Ex-Officio F&W Forestry Services

Tony Macleod FRA Counsel

Deb Hawkinson FRA Staff Secretary

* Past Chairman

Notes:

Action Requested: Review, modification if necessary, and Board of Directors approval of the

Executive Committee recommendations.

Agenda Item Five – Report on FY 2015-16 Projected Year End Financials Chair Tom Reed will give report on FY 2015-16 projected Year End financials

(see Appendix B).

2

Agenda Item Six – FY 2016-17 Proposed FRA Budget Chair Tom Reed will present the Executive Committee recommended budget for FY 2016-17.

(See handout).

Notes:

Action Requested: Approval of Executive Committee recommended FY 2016-17 Budget.

Agenda Item Seven – FRA National Operations Committee Report Committee Chair Brad Fuller will present the report from FRA’s National Operations Committee Meeting

of May 5. He will summarize the meeting’s discussions and recommendations on forest operations

challenges and other issues in common to most of FRA’s six geographic regions, including trucking

safety/insurance issues.

Brad Fuller, Chair Huber Engineered Woods

Bud Delano, Vice Chair Expera Specialty Solutions

D.J. Aderman Futurewood Corp.

Gary Beacher Resource Management Service

Ray Berthiaume Wagner Forest Management

Ervin Bielmyer WestRock

Keith Biggs Forestry Mutual Insurance Company

Randy Blomberg Blomberg Logging

Thomas Bosley Glatfelter Woodlands

Bruce Brewer Idaho Forest Group

Mark Byal IndusTREE Timber

Ben Carlisle Prentiss & Carlisle

Matthew Carothers Prentiss & Carlisle

David Cawein Green Bay Packaging

Jim Contino Verso Corp.

David C. Cupp Walsh Timber Company

Ann Hutchinson Duff WestRock

George Edman Edman Company

Donnie Fleming ArborGen

Pete Foley Weyerhaeuser

Kirby Funderburke WestRock

Aaron Gilland Dendro Resource Management

Tom Hancock Resource Management Service

Tom Harris Timber Mart-South

Ryan Hendrix Green Bay Packaging

David Hudnall LP

Jon Lamy J. Carey Logging

Al Lewis Norbord

Carl Lockhart John Deere

Chris Lunde Port Blakely Tree Farms

Rick Malm Timbervest LLC

Chris Marsh Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc.

3

Brent Martin Prentiss & Carlisle

Ryan McAvoy Sappi Fine Paper

Shaney Neuharth Weyerhaeuser

Kip Nichols Seven Islands Land Co.


Joseph Parnell Parnell Inc.

William Perritt RISI

Jay Phaup Greif

Peter Remoy Weyerhaeuser

Dan Smith Northwoods Management

Edward Sontag Enviva LP

Randy Starling Weyerhaeuser

Daniel Stuber Forest2Market

Marshall Thomas F&W Forestry Services

Tommy Thompson LP

Richard Thoms Richton Tie & Timber

Dave Tormohlen Northern Shores Resource Management

Roger Weaver Glatfelter

David West KapStone Paper and Packaging

Rick Meyer FRA Staff Secretary

Notes:

Action Requested: Review, discussion, modification if necessary, and Board of Directors

approval of the Operations Committee recommendations.

Agenda Item Eight – FRA National Supplier /Consumer Relations Committee

Report Committee Vice Chair Randy Blomberg will report on the Committee’s recommendations for

FRA action on building the forestry and logging workforce, including the launch of a Veterans in

the Forestry Workforce Initiative.

Richard Schwab, Chair M.A. Rigoni Inc.

Randy Blomberg, Vice Chair Blomberg Logging Inc.

D. J. Aderman Futurewood Corp.


Rick Breuner Fiber Industry Consultants

Dennis Carey Pine Timber Wood Production

Jim Contino Verso Corporation.

Mark Edens LP

Jim Fendig Fendig & Associates/WSRI

Rocky Goodnow Forest Economic Advisors


Tom Harris Timber Mart-South

Jeff Jenkins Glatfelter Woodlands

4

Al Lewis Norbord

Matt McCall Canal Wood LLC

John McNulty Seven Islands Land Co.

Allen Morgan Hunter - Wasson Timber Services

Tom Norris Interstate Paper/Newport Timber


John Northey Port Townsend Paper Co.

Joseph Parnell Parnell Inc.

Barry Parrish Georgia Biomass

William Perritt RISI

Jim Reavis Enviva LP

Dan Smith Northwoods Management

Edward Sontag Enviva LP

Daniel Stuber IV Forest2Market

Richard Thoms Richton Tie & Timber

Jay Watrous International Paper

David West KapStone Paper and Packaging


Neil Ward FRA Staff Secretary

Notes:


approval of the National Supplier/Consumer Relations Committee recommendations.

Agenda Item Nine – FRA National Public Policy / Advocacy Committee Report Committee Chair Bill Johnson will report the Committee’s recommendations for FRA action on

several public policy priorities, including Forestry Guestworker Access, Northern Long-Eared Bat

Protection, and Independent Contractor Status Determination; and will review FRA’s current use

of grassroots activism tools.

Bill Johnson, Jr., Chair Johnson Timber Corp./Flambeau River Papers

David Harrelson, Vice Chair St. Joe Timberland


Debby Blomberg Blomberg Logging Inc.

Richard Chapman Weyerhaeuser

Ann Hutchinson Duff WestRock

Ryan Hendrix Green Bay Packaging Inc.

David Hudnall LP

Rick Malm Timbervest

Richard Schwab M. A. Rigoni, Inc.


Jay Watrous International Paper

Neil Ward FRA Staff Secretary

5

Notes:


approval of the National Public Policy/Advocacy Committee recommendations.

Agenda Item Ten - National Timber Harvesting and Transportation Safety

(THATS) Foundation Report Foundation Chair Carl Lockhart will present a report and summarize some innovative ways that

the group continues to promote THATS. The production and roll-out of a "Safety App" is front

and center for the group right now.

Carl Lockhart, Chair John Deere

Kent Hall, Vice Chair STIHL Incorporated

Chris Becklean International Paper

Tom Bosley Glatfelter Woodlands

Yvonne Caruso Grand Forest Inc.

Bud DeLano Expera Specialty Solutions

Mike Farris BancorpSouth


Randy Hervey BITCO Insurance Companies

Jeff Jenkins Glatfelter Woodlands

John Lemire Forestry Mutual Insurance Company

Dale Lemmons Interstate Wood Products

Tom Reed Formerly with Plum Creek Timber

Richard Schwab M. A. Rigoni, Inc.

Tom Skaggs Outdoor Underwriters

Robert Williams Quercus Forest Products


Vickie Hoffart FRA Staff Secretary

Notes:


approval of the THATS Foundation recommendations.

6

Agenda Item Eleven – FRA National Meetings Advisory Group Chair Pete Stewart will report on plans for 2016 Fall Board Meeting and the 2017 Spring Annual

Meeting.

Pete Stewart, Chair Forest2Market

Tom Skaggs, Vice Chair Outdoor Underwriters

Mark Fryer Davis-Garvin Agency

Brian Gray Peterson

Kent Hall STIHL Incorporated

Carl Lockhart John Deere

William Miller, III F&W Forestry Services, Inc.

Tom Norris Interstate Paper/Newport Timber


Deb Hawkinson FRA President/Treasurer

Vickie Hoffart FRA Staff Secretary

Sylviene Mason FRA Staff Resource

Future Meetings

September 27-29, 2016 FRA Fall Board Meeting Coeur d’Alene, ID

Coeur d’Alene Resort

May 2017 FRA Annual Meeting Charleston, SC

Francis Marion Hotel

Action Requested: Board of Directors approval of National Meetings Advisory Group report.

Please note FRA’s 2016-17 meeting dates and try to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Agenda Item Twelve – Nominating Committee Report Nominating Committee Chair Tom Norris will report on the recommendation for incoming FRA

Chair and 2016-18 Executive Committee Members.

The Nominating Committee Membership is:

Tom Norris, Chair Interstate Paper/Newport Timber

Lee Alexander International Paper

Randy Blomberg Blomberg Logging

David Cawein Green Bay Packaging

Brad Fuller Huber Engineered Woods


David West KapStone

7

The Nominations Committee presents the following recommendations for the 2016-18 FRA

Officers and Executive Committee. (See handout).

Note: Following the Nominating Committee’s report, the Chair will first call for other

nominations from the floor. If there are none, he will ask for a motion and a second to close the

nominations and to accept the slate as presented by the Nominating Committee. He will then call

for a vote to elect the slate of 2016-18 FRA Officers and Executive Committee.

Action Requested: Election of 2016-18 Officers and Executive Committee

Agenda Item Thirteen – Installation of New FRA Chair The outgoing Chair, Tom Reed, will turn over the chair to the Incoming Chair. The Incoming

Chair will give remarks.

The Incoming (new) Chair will ask if there are any additional items requiring Board action.

Notes:

Action Requested:

Agenda Item Fourteen: 2016-18 Committee, Foundation and Task Group

Appointments Acceptance of Board membership implies the responsibility to accept FRA Committee,

Foundation and Task Group assignments.

The new FRA Chair recommends the following FRA appointments:

Note: Please see handout for list of 2016-18 Board and National Committee members approved at

the Annual Members Breakfast. For a description of each of these committees, please see

additional handout.

Agenda Item Fifteen - Additional Items Requiring Board Action

Agenda Item Sixteen – Other Business The Chair will ask if there is any new or other business that should be brought before the Board.

Agenda Item Seventeen – Adjournment

8

APPENDICES

Item Page

1) Minutes of the October 9, 2015 Board of Directors Meeting A1 – A6

2) FY 2015-16 Year-End Projections B

3) 2016-17 Strategic Plan C1-C5

A-1

MINUTES OF MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FOREST RESOURCES ASSOCIATION INC.

Executive Room

Friday, October 9, 2015 Washington Court Hotel

1:10 PM – 1:44 PM Washington, DC

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS FRA Chairman Reed opened the Board Meeting and thanked the meeting sponsors for their

support: Caterpillar, John Deere, Plum Creek, Tigercat, Davis-Garvin, STIHL Inc., Glatfelter,

International Paper, Interstate Resources, Forest2Market, Sennebogen, Forest Investment

Associates, F&W Forestry, and Timber Mart-South.

He explained that the Meeting’s attendance did not constitute a quorum and that staff would be

sending an e-mail message to all Board members to vote on whether to approve the Meeting’s

decisions.

He invited all present to provide self-introductions.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

Chairman Reed noted that the Minutes of the April 29, 2015 had been distributed to all Board

members and asked if there were any corrections. There was none.

It was moved, seconded, and voted to dispense with the reading of the Minutes and to approve

them as distributed.

ANTITRUST STATEMENT

Chairman Reed called upon FRA Counsel John Shaban to deliver an antitrust reminder. Shaban

reviewed antitrust compliance guidelines. He advised members to adhere to the agenda, not to

discuss prices in hard figures, and to be careful about making statements that might give rise to

inferences of anticompetitive behavior.

Reed thanked Shaban. Reed also thanked staff for their work organizing the Fly-In.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT

Chairman Reed noted that the Executive Committee had met on October 7 and had reviewed

FRA’s membership promotion campaign, and he asked Deb Hawkinson to report on the

campaign’s progress. She stated that the staff had worked with membership consultant J.P. Moery

on monthly conferences to discuss national and regional member prospects outreach and processes

to grow the association and carry out our mission of representing the supply chain. The program

involves direct sales, emarketing and referrals – what has shown to be the three most effective

forms of recruitment.

Processes have also been put in place to ensure the association is tracking each interaction about

membership. To date, Moery has measured a strong response rate from e-mails with a high

percentage clicking on links to follow association news.

Reed stated that the Executive Committee had agreed to ask Board members to send customers’

and contractors’ contact information to Hawkinson, so FRA would have additional prospects to

reach out to.

Reed asked Hawkinson to report on the recent financial audit. Hawkinson stated that FRA had

contracted with Rogers and Company to conduct a financial audit, the report of which staff had

distributed to the Board (Appendix 1). This consolidated audit, she said, included an audit of the

Timber Harvesting & Transportation Safety Foundation, since FRA and THATS used the same

administrative support system; and that the Report represented an “unqualified opinion” validating

the fiscal soundness of both organizations. She stated that the auditor found FRA to be a “very

efficient organization,” that FRA had ended fiscal year 2015 in good shape, with $974,292 in total

assets and $263,681 in total liabilities, the difference being $710,611 in net assets. She noted that

the Audit displayed a fiscal year surplus, compared to the previous fiscal year.

Hawkinson noted that the financials for THATS were displayed on pages 15-19 of that Report.

Hawkinson drew the Board’s attention to FRA’s August 31, 2015 Statement of Financial Position

(Appendix 2), summarizing assets, liabilities, actual and anticipated revenues, and actual and

anticipated expenses, providing a forecast for the remainder of the current Fiscal Year. She noted

that FRA had contracted with Jason Cutshall to support Rick Meyer’s work in the Southcentral

Region. She noted that FRA had committed funds to support the Biomass101 project, to intervene

in a Northern Long-Eared Bat lawsuit, and to support the Coalition for Transportation

Productivity’s truck-weight advocacy, using funds from existing accounts, rather than making new

solicitations. She pointed out that revenues were higher and the financial position better than

forecast.

Reed noted the contracts FRA had entered into for the services of Fred Souba and Eric Kingsley;

and pointed out that Jason Cutshall was also a contractor, not an employee.

Reed expressed the Executive Committee’s interest in FRA’s financial reserve to be maintained at

$700,000 which equals slightly more than 4 months of annual expenses which is in alignment with

association best practices for an organization the size of FRA. The Committee will be reviewing

the reserves and preparing for discussions at the 2016 Annual Meeting.

It was moved, seconded, and voted to approve the audit report.

Chairman Reed then briefly reviewed FRA’s public policy priorities as addressed in the previous

day’s Fly-In and praised the organization and conduct of the Fly-In, noting the important roles

played by Bill Johnson and the Public Policy / Advocacy Committee, as well as by the FRA staff.

Hawkinson reminded Fly-In participants to fill out and turn in their Fly-In meeting reporting forms

to FRA staff, and to take time to give FRA staff feedback on their impressions of the Fly-In and

suggestions for improvement.

A-2

Reed invited Bill Miller, Vice Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, to report on progress in

revising the FRA Strategic Plan, the current version of which is to expire on December 31, 2015.

Miller stated that the Committee had decided to move the larger Planning cycle to a three- to five-

year term, and to submit an adjustment or revision of the current Plan to the Board during the

coming weeks, rather than conduct a ground-up drafting of an entirely new Plan. A copy of the

draft 2016-2017 Strategic Plan was included in Board handouts.

It was moved, seconded, and voted to approve Executive Committee report.

FRA NATIONAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT

Chairman Reed noted that all present had attended the same morning’s meeting of the National

Operations Committee, noting that the Committee had met that morning and focused on trucking

issues; that the American Trucking Associations’ Bob Costello had spoken on the broad driver

shortage confronting the whole trucking industry, the reasons for this shortage, and possible

approaches to take in addressing it. He stated that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety

Administration’s Dee Williams had provided the Agency’s view of the Hours-Of-Service and CSA

rules, and what kinds of flexibility or adjustments drivers and firms may expect in administration.

He stated that the Committee had reviewed activity reports from each of FRA’s six regions and

had evaluated proposed topics for presentations at the Committee’s spring meeting.

It was moved, seconded, and voted to accept the Operations Committee’s Report.

TIMBER HARVESTING AND TRANSPORTATION SAFETY FOUNDATION REPORT

Chairman Reed explained that the Timber Harvesting & Transportation Safety Foundation had

conducted its business at the opening section of the Supplier / Consumer Relations Committee’s

meeting that morning. He called on THATS Chair Carl Lockhart to report on the Foundation’s

actions.

Lockhart described the proposal to fund an application, accessible by smartphone or tablet,

enabling a logger to download materials for, conduct, and document a crew safety training

meeting. He noted that the $25,000 price—established by separate bids from two firms—did not

include connectivity away from phone- or wifi access, and that the price of the app would

approximately double if such connectivity were deemed necessary. Since, he said, there was

consensus among participants in the meeting that such connectivity would be very important, at

least as a long-term goal, there was consensus to accept a $25,000 bid only on the condition that

such a “build-out” could be added on to it at a later time without losing the value of the initial

investment, once funding for that improvement should be approved.

David West asked Lockhart whether THATS had determined which of the two bids to accept.

Lockhart stated that the Foundation would meet by conference call to decide which provider to

contract with.

Bill Miller suggested that THATS should consider raising the funding in short order to get full

cell-range coverage. There was consensus on the Board to endorse reviewing that option;

Lockhart stated that THATS was considering reaching out to additional sponsoring organizations,

including JD Link, to provide funding to enhance the value of the app.

It was moved, seconded, and voted to accept the THATS Report.

A-3

SUPPLIER / CONSUMER RELATIONS

Chairman Reed invited Richard Schwab, Chairman of the Supplier / Consumer Relations

Committee, to report on that Committee’s recent business. Schwab stated that the Committee had

met that morning and had reviewed the results of the survey of supply chain “stresses” it had

identified in April, observing that “manpower issues” were clearly a priority, as were concerns

about “systemic inefficiencies.” He stated that the Committee understood “systemic

inefficiencies” to refer to a need to improve communications and logistical information between

suppliers and mills, and that the survey suggested that addressing this area could be an action area

for FRA.

However, he said, “the need for new workers” emerged as the top “stress point,” and that the

remainder of the meeting had focused on that issue, and opportunities for FRA to address it. He

stated that the Committee had heard an update from Chris Isaacson about the Alabama Forest

Workforce Initiative and a presentation from the Manufacturing Institute’s Jennifer McNelly on

the Institute’s initiative to build workforce participation in the manufacturing industries.

He stated that the Committee had observed that these two programs are well-aligned, with their

common emphasis on building sensitive mentoring programs, educational resources, outreach

systems, and other support systems that have more than a superficial impact on potential workers.

He stated that the Committee had voted to approve the following recommendation to the Board:

“FRA should make a commitment to put some of the action steps that Chris and Jennifer

have presented into a program that FRA can develop further and that FRA can get our

companies to support and implement.”

It was moved, seconded, and voted to accept this recommendation.

Schwab also stated that McNelly had agreed to make herself available for future dialogue with

FRA and to work with FRA on program development; and that McNelly had exhorted FRA

members to provide financial and other support to the Alabama Forest Workforce Initiative.

It was moved, seconded, and voted to approve the Supplier / Consumer Relations Committee’s

report.

Deb reminded those present that although the Board meeting did not have a quorum, all votes

would be sent out to the entire Board for e-mail approval.

A-4

PUBLIC POLICY / ADVOCACY COMMITTEE REPORT

Reed invited David Harrelson, Vice Chairman of the Public Policy / Advocacy Committee, to

report on that Committee’s recent actions. Harrelson reported that the previous day’s Fly-In had

comprised 67 office visits, at least 40 including members of Congress, with 44 FRA members

participating (in addition to staff and guests of members).

Harrelson stated that the Committee had guided and monitored Fly-In planning through two

conference calls and would hold another call in the coming weeks to evaluate the event. He urged

Fly-In participants to send in any comments, praise, or criticism of the Fly-in to Neil Ward or Deb

Hawkinson as soon as possible. He also asked members to send to Ward any photos of Fly-In

participants with members of Congress, for use in publication, publicity, and promotion.

It was moved, seconded, and voted to approve the report.

FRA NATIONAL MEETINGS ADVISORY GROUP REPORT

Chairman Reed called on Bill Miller to present the National Meetings Advisory Group’s report.

Miller stated that FRA’s 2016 Annual Meeting would be held May 4-6 in Colorado Springs,

Colorado; and that FRA’s 2016 Fall Board Meeting would be help September 27-29, 2016 in

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in conjunction with the Western Region’s Fall Meeting.

Miller stated that the Advisory Group was considering Charleston, South Carolina and Asheville,

North Carolina as locations for the 2017 Annual Meeting. The Executive Committee has

requested locations that have easy airport access. Board members were urged to contact staff or

Advisory Group members about their preferences. He stated that any decision on a meeting

location for the 2018 Annual Meeting was still “wide open” and that the Advisory Group

welcomed suggestions.

It was moved, seconded, voted to approve the Advisory Group’s report.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Chairman Reed asked if there were any other items requiring Board action. There was none.

Chairman Reed encouraged Fly-In participants to produce video interviews by themselves, once

they were back home, presenting their impressions of the Fly-In and to provide any such videos to

the FRA staff to use as promotional materials. Reed also noted that many people from his

organization, Plum Creek, had participated in the Fly-In, and he urged other Board members to

continue to get new people involved.

FRA Appalachian/Southwide Region Manager Rick Meyer encouraged members, likewise, to

involve new people in FRA Region meetings, as well.

Reed praised the speakers at the morning’s sessions and asked Board members to submit

suggestions for future speakers or presentation topics.

A-5

OTHER BUSINESS

Chairman Reed asked if there was any other business to come before the FRA Board.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no other business, Chairman Reed adjourned the meeting at 1:44 PM.

Neil A. Ward

Secretary

Reviewed by:

Deb Hawkinson, FRA President

Tony Macleod, FRA Counsel

ATTENDANCE

NAME ORGANIZATION LOCATION

Board Members

Bay Berthiaume Wagner Forest Management Errol, NH

Rusty Booker Drax Biomass, Inc. Atlanta, GA

Yvonne Caruso Grand Forest Inc. Summerville, SC

Peter Coutu (for Pete Stewart) Forest2Market Charlotte, NC

Mark Edens LP Hanceville, AL

David Harrelson St. Joe Timberland Panama City, FL

Carl Lockhart John Deere Ontonagon, MI

Bill Miller F&W Forestry Fernandina Beach, FL

Christopher Nichols Seven Islands Land Co. Bangor, ME

Tom Norris Interstate Paper Riceboro, GA

Joseph Parnell Parnell Inc. Maplesville, AL

Don Pope Packaging Corp. of America Valdosta, GA

Tom Reed Plum Creek Timber Athens, GA

Richard Schwab M.A. Rigoni Inc. Perry, FL

David West KapStone N. Charleston, SC

Guests

Sheli Derato Plum Creek Timber Athens, GA

FRA Staff

Deb Hawkinson FRA Staff Washington, DC

Vickie Hoffart FRA Staff Kennewick, WA

Eric Kingsley FRA Coordinator Portland, ME

John Shaban FRA Counsel Greenwich, CT

Rick Meyer FRA Staff Roanoke, VA

Fred Souba FRA Coordinator Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Neil Ward FRA Staff Washington, DC

A-6

forest resources association inc. board of ...5) report on fy 2015-2016 projected year end...

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