Celebrating Excellence at the NHLA Inspector Training School: NHLA Commemorates the Graduation of the 206th Inspector Training School Class

The National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) is proud to announce the graduation of the 206th class of its esteemed Inspector Training School (ITS). The ceremony celebrated the achievement on August 2, 2024, at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center.

Brant Forcey, President of Forcey Lumber & Veneer, delivered an inspiring address emphasizing the graduates’ significant contributions to the hardwood industry. His speech resonated deeply, mainly because some graduates had already secured job offers before graduation, a testament to the high demand for their skills and expertise and a promising sign for the industry’s future.

Outstanding individual award recipients were as follows:
• Mahlon Kuhns – Highest Overall Average
• Matthew Nyemscek – Class President and Second Highest Overall Average

The ceremony also featured speeches from prominent leaders and educators, including Russell E. Redding, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, and Michael J. Reed, President of Penn College. Their words of wisdom and encouragement stressed the critical role these newly minted inspectors will play in advancing the industry.

In his address, Reed underscored that this 8-week course “strongly aligns with the instruction we offer here at Penn College.” This alignment is further strengthened by NHLA’s collaboration with various Pennsylvania partners, including the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council, Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group, Keystone Wood Products Association, Northern Tier Hardwood Association, Pennsylvania Forest Products Association, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and Pennsylvania Forestry Association.

A special acknowledgment goes to Lewis Lumber for their generous donation of lumber for this course. Their support was integral to the students’ hands-on learning experience and is greatly appreciated The NHLA is excited to see the positive impact these graduates will have on the hardwood industry and congratulates the 206th class on their remarkable achievements.

The graduates of the 206th class include:
• Jordan Fitch, Wheeland Lumber Co., Inc.
• Ian Charles Oakley Greenaway, Independent
• Mahlon Kuhns, Independent
• Andrew Massing, Independent
• Matthew A. Nyemscek, Independent
• Samuel E. Rishel, Rishel’s
• Kathryn Smith, Westbury Lumber Company
• Jacob Stone, Wheeland Lumber Co., Inc.