The Michigan Association of Timbermen

2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT

And Awards Recognition

7350 South M-123, Newberry, MI 49868

Phone: 906-293-3236; Fax: 906-293-5444 Website: www.timbermen.org

Email: timbermen1972@gmail.com

2

2016 Logger of the Year – UP

M.V.A. Enterprises, Inc.

M.V.A. Enterprises, Inc. is owned by Mark and Tina Anderson of Felch, MI, which is in Northern Dickinson County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Mark is President of the company and his wife, Tina,

and daughter-in-law, Fawn Anderson, run the office. Mark began logging in 1981 with a John Deere 1010 with a Gafner 30 loader and a Husqvarna Power Saw. The business has grown over the past 36 years and

it now runs 7 harvesting crews which include his 3 sons’ businesses; Steve Anderson Forest Products, who operates a John Deere 1270 Harvester and a Komatsu 840.4 Forwarder; David Anderson Tree Harvesting,

who operates a Komatsu 931 Harvester; and Jim Anderson Timber Harvesting, who also operates a

Komatsu 931 Harvester. Mark owns three Komatsu harvesters, three Komatsu forwarders, a logging truck, one bull dozer, an excavator, and a couple dump trucks. In addition to hard working, dedicated

family members, Mark has 9 other employees who work very hard and are the backbone of our company’s success. M.V.A. is dedicated to running an honest, reliable company. Mark is a man of his word. He

meets with landowners and foresters in person to make sure the timber harvesting contracts are clear, accurate, and understood by both parties. M.V.A. Enterprises believes in harvesting timber so the land

owners can prosper from their property, while maintaining a healthy thriving forest. Mark would like to

see M.V.A. Enterprises, Inc. continues to grow and keep up with the times and new harvesting technology. After Mark’s three sons showed an interest in harvesting timber, he realized that his business

was not going to end with his retirement, so he began expanding and updating his equipment. He believes that a smooth running operation is a safe and prosperous one. M.V.A. is a family owned operation….a

family that cares about its community and its forests. He hopes his business is around for years to come so

that his grandchildren may someday work to be a part of its success. As Steven Jobs once said, "If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time." No one person can take credit for a

prosperous business. It takes a team of dedicated, hardworking, honest people. M.V.A. Enterprises has been blessed with many who have attributed to its success.

3

2016 Logger of the Year - LP

Low’s Forest Products

The Michigan Association of Timbermen and the Michigan SFI Implementation Committee are pleased

to announce Low’s Forest Products of Falmouth Michigan as the Lower Peninsula Logger of the Year for 2016.

Leon started working in the woods for Willie Outman in 1966 cutting pulpwood and running the skidder. After a lot of hard work started logging on his own in 1973 with his first machine purchase of an Iron

Mule. He sent his wood to Champion at this time. In 1980 he officially formed Low’s Forest Products.

Leon cut shortwood and Carl Baldwin hauled his wood. Leon’s son joined the company in 1986, along with two other employees. Their hard work paid off and in 1987 they got the opportunity to produce

pulpwood for SD Warren in Muskegon and their operation went from shortwood to Slashing. In 1995 Lutke Forest Products started hauling for Low’s and this partnership still remains today. In 2006 Low’s

started shipping pulpwood to PCA in Filer City and still supplies PCA today with pulpwood. Low’s harvest many different products and cuts logs for many small log mills to utilize the tree for the best

return. The company expanded and added its work force to 5 men. In 2008 Low’s expanded again

adding their first loader truck and went to an all mechanized operation.

Leon, alongside his son Dan proudly employees 3 generations. Three of his Grandsons, Jake, David and

Josh now work for the company. Arthur Hunt and Codey Longstreet drive the two loader trucks. Codey’s father Craig also works in the woods for Low’s. Leon’s daughter Charity takes care of the books

for the company.

Low’s Forest Products has used hard work to keep their company successful for over 44 years. Leon’s commitment to family can be clearly seen when you enter his job. The hard work and dedication of a

man that started in 1973 will continue to grow and be successful for generations to come for Low’s Forest Products.

4

2016 Excellence in Manufacturing

DT Fowler Mfg

DT Fowler Mfg is a new and used wood pallet and corrugated box supplier to many industries throughout Michigan and surrounding states. We have 3 locations in Lapeer,

Michigan with a total of 200,000 sq ft. We are in the midst of building a new 24,000sq ft.

expansion for pallet assembly and installing a 200 horsepower dust collection system.

Starting out as a sawmill and wood pallet manufacturer, has evolved into a full service

packaging supplier. DT Fowler is a 3rd generation family owned company. It was started

by Douglas and Kay Fowler in 1950. John Fowler took over control of the business in 1980 after the passing of his father Douglas. Just this year (Jan. 2017) John sold the business to

his children, Christina and Brett Fowler.

We are and always have been dedicated to providing quality wood pallets and boxes delivered on time to our customers.

We have seen a great deal of competitors disappear over the years. We have expanded and

modernized our processes and have adapted to our customers’ needs which has allowed us to remain competitive in the industry.

DT Fowler’s long term goal is to remain dedicated to servicing our customers’ needs. Our

drive to continually expand and keep customer satisfaction will catapult us into the future.

5

2016 Friend of the Timbermen

Bill O’Neill

Bill O’Neill is the chief of the Forest Resources Division. He also serves as state forester for

Michigan.

In his role as chief, O’Neill is focusing on what’s best for the state forest land, and for the industries and people who rely on Michigan’s robust natural resources. He believes that

sustainably managing Michigan’s state forest system has always been a collaborative effort

and that by continuing to communicate and work together, Michigan’s forests can remain the best of the best for current and future generations.

O’Neill has held various positions during his nearly 30-year career with the DNR. He

earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry and a master’s degree in forestry with an emphasis on business management from Michigan State University.

6

2016 Distinguished Service

Lonny Lutke

I was elected to the board of directors for M.A.T in 2010. After calling the office to

complain, so don’t complain unless you’re ready to do something to help.

I have enjoyed my years on the board. M.A.T has a very good board of directors they

all work very hard for the members.

In 2011 I had the privilege to haul the capital Christmas tree from Houghton Lake to the capital. That was an honor.

In 2014 and 2015 I had the honor of serving as president of M.A.T and I can’t thank

the board and members enough for all their help in those years.

When elected president I told the board I didn’t want to wear a tie or go to Lansing. I

wore a tie once and been to Lansing many times but that’s part of the job.

7

2014 Birtcher Scholarship Awardees

Lauren Densmore & Dakoda Lobert

Lauren says, “Ever since I have been

little I have always wanted to be

outdoors.” With her family being in the

timber industry, she has always been

around that kind of work and really

wants to carry on the family tradition

but she also wants to get an education.

She would like to become a wildlife

forester. Lauren plans to start her

general studies at Lake Superior State

University and eventually find a school

that specializes in forestry. She wants to

be able to have a good job, but also love

what she does.

Dakoda said his career aspirations are to

get a decent job in the forest industry

and to gain as much knowledge as

possible to perhaps work towards a

higher position in forestry involving

more of a large-scale operation, such as

managing a national forest somewhere

within the United States. Dakoda also

says that he will continue to apply the

same diligence to his studies as he has

already to this point and will continue to

go above and beyond to learn all that he

can about the challenges that all will

continue to face within the forest

industry.

8

2016 Legislator of the Year

State Representative

Triston Cole

State Rep. Triston Cole was first elected to serve the 105th District in the Michigan House

of Representatives in November 2014. The 105th District encompasses Antrim, Otsego, Charlevoix, Montmorency and Oscoda counties.

Cole is vice chair of the House Agriculture Committee. He also serves on the committees

on Energy Policy, Judiciary, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation, and Transportation and Infrastructure.

Triston followed his passion for the outdoors from an early age, becoming an experienced

hunting guide while a teen and spending 15 years in the hunting and guiding industry. In 2000, he and his wife started a family farm from scratch and became a small-business

owner whose farm provides fruits, vegetables, and shiitake mushrooms for local direct

market sales. When not working the land, Triston was a semi-truck driver and agricultural

teacher.

Triston served as president of the Antrim County Farm Bureau for 12 years, two years on

the Michigan Farm Bureau’s State Policy Development Committee and Antrim County

Republican Party chairman. He has nearly 20 years of executive experience as a member of many diverse boards and committees at the local, regional, and state level.

Triston, his wife, Stacy, and their three daughters live in Antrim County on their farm.

9

2016 Excellence in Trucking

Nathan Hubbard Timber Transport, LLC

The Michigan Association of Timbermen is proud to award the 2016 Excellence in Trucking Award to Nathan Hubbard Timber Transport LLC of Hillman, MI. Nathan and his wife Robin established the

company in 2006. Originally, Nathan wanted to work for his dad, but Howard insisted on selling them a truck to start their own business. Nathan bought his first truck, a 1997 T800 Kenworth, and has built the

business to a fleet of 4 log trucks. In 2013 they hired their first employee, Nathan Torsch and now employ 6 people. Robin takes care of the office and keeps things organized. Kevin Bissland & Lee Brandt are

truck drivers, while their son, Joshua Fuhrman is their full time mechanic and shop foreman. Howard Hubbard, Nathan’s dad has his own trucking business but works closely with Nathan’s team.

Nathan and Robin built their new truck shop in 2015. Joshua works full time in the shop and all the

drivers do their own maintenance and greasing. The drivers help out in the shop when major repairs are needed. According to Nathan, all of the employees are jacks-of-all-trades and work together to keep the

trucks rolling. Nathan is very hands on and has built most of the trucks he runs today. He also designed the Ice-O-Later, a scraper blade which runs off airbags on the pup. The Ice-O-Later keeps the logging

roads smooth in the summer and has a toothed scraper for ice in the winter.

Nathan Hubbard Timber Transport, LLC hauls for numerous logging companies all over the state. They have a number of steady suppliers and works with additional timber producers to move wood as efficiently

as possible, being loaded in both directions when feasible. Nathan is not afraid of hard work and long days, sometimes spending the night in his truck if necessary to get the wood moved. You can look at

Nathan’s trucks and see the pride he and his drivers take in running good quality, well maintained equipment. The company has very little turnover with the employees. They feel treating the employees

well is the key to their successful business.

10

11

12

We want to send out a great thank you and note of appreciation to our

many yearly sponsors of the Michigan Association of Timbermen for

2017. Your willingness to provide financial support assures the

continuance of many great projects that support the members.

THANK YOU 2017 TIMBERMEN YEARLY SPONSORS!