February 2014

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is now accepting nominations from eligible industry members to serve on the Softwood Lumber Board for a 3-year term of office beginning January 1, 2015.  This Board administers a national research and promotion program for softwood lumber with oversight by USDA.  The Board meets throughout the year to review marketing and research activities and makes recommendation to USDA regarding its programs.  The national program is funded by assessments on U.S. manufacturers and importers that ship softwood lumber to the United States.  The purpose of the program is to increase the demand for softwood lumber within the United States.

Are you interested in serving or do you know someone who may be qualified to serve?
The Board is composed of 19 members appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.  Eighteen members represent three U.S. geographical regions and two Canadian regions.  One member represents other importing countries besides Canada.  The Board will be holding elections to fill seven seats whose terms expire on December 21, 2014.  U.S. manufacturers will fill four seats representing large companies – two in the South region and two in the West region.  Three seats will be filled by importers – two representing the Canada West region (one large and one small company)  and one small company representing the Canada East region.  Board members will serve a 3-year term ending December 3, 2017.  To be eligible, nominees operating within the regions must manufacture and ship within the United States, or import, at least 15 million board feet of softwood lumber annually.  Interested candidates may nominate themselves, or nominate someone else – either is acceptable.  Ballots will be mailed to eligible companies and votes will be tabulated for each region.  The top two candidates for each position will be submitted to the Secretary.  The Secretary will then appoint members from the pool of applicants receiving the most votes.  Nomination applications are due to the Board by March 14, 2014.  

Board member duties include:
- Participate in 4-5 Board meetings throughout the year, either in person or via teleconference
- Periodically meet with designated work groups, either in person or via teleconference
- Have the ability to work effectively within a group setting

*Members of the Board are reimbursed by the Board for reasonable travel and associated lodging expenses as approved by the Board.

If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, you may be eligible:
You are actively working within the softwood lumber industry and your company:
- Manufactures and ships within the United States at least 15 million board feet of softwood lumber annually from the U.S. South or the U.S. West
- Imports at least 15 million board feet of softwood lumber annually from Canada into the United States
- You are not registered as a lobbyist with the federal U.S. or state government

Visit www.softwoodlumberboard.org for a copy of the application, or contact the Board’s CEO, Steve Lovett, at (312) 321-5131 or e-mail lovett@softwoodlumberboard.org.  You may also contact Maureen Pello, USDA Marketing Specialist, by phone (503) 632-8848 or e-mail maureen.pello@ams.usda.gov, for more information.

Executive Order No. 13490, 18 June 2010, prohibits an individual who is registered with the federal government or with a state government as a lobbyist from serving on a federal advisory committee.