From the Field: Mark Bear

Hardwood Matters is proud to reintroduce our National Inspectors, now formally known as National Inspectors & Technical Services Advisors, to highlight who they are as people and to spotlight their specialized skills. These professionals are more than graders; they are technical advisors, consultants, and problem solvers dedicated to helping NHLA members optimize their operations.

This month, we’re featuring our Southern representative: Mark Bear. Mark was born and raised in Gurdon, Arkansas, a town with deep hardwood roots and plenty of personality.

Gurdon’s character runs deep, from the local high school mascot—the Go Devil, a one-horse sled used by loggers in the early 1900s—to the historic Hoo Club, part of the Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo, a fraternal organization founded by lumbermen to promote fellowship in the industry. It’s no surprise Mark turned out to be such a character himself. He’s full of stories and has an encyclopedic knowledge of hardwood mills.

When I asked Mark what he enjoys most about his job, he didn’t hesitate: “Helping people.” He’s proud to represent the South, a region he knows intimately. “I speak their language,” he says—a statement both literal and figurative. Mark is a proud Southerner who also speaks fluent Spanish and has taught NHLA’s Introduction to Hardwood Lumber Grading course in Spanish many times. He’ll be leading the next two-week course this August at the University of Kentucky.

Mark’s expertise goes beyond grading.

According to Chief Inspector Dana Spessert, “Mark can understand the inner workings of a mill by smell, hearing, seeing—even the vibration of the machinery.” Whether it’s time management, safety training, equipment downtime, or operational inefficiencies, Mark diagnoses and resolves problems quickly. Mark can identify any problem in a mill. Mark stated, “If I don’t know how to fix it, I have a list of people who can.”
His sixth sense for mills makes him an essential part of NHLA’s evolving role in supporting operational excellence across the industry. One way this is now taking shape is through the expanded Yield Study Program, which, thanks to a U.S. Forest Service Grant, has become more accessible than ever with a 75 percent reduction in cost.

The Yield Study is a detailed, hands-on evaluation of mill performance, designed to pinpoint areas where efficiency can be improved and waste minimized. From analyzing log utilization and recovery rates to optimizing machinery, the study offers a practical roadmap to boost profitability and extend the operational life of mills.

For businesses facing rising costs, labor shortages, or even the threat of shutting down, the insights provided through a Yield Study could mean the difference between holding on and closing up. Mark and his fellow National Inspectors & Technical Services Advisors are on the front lines of this effort, bringing not only data but decades of experience and intuitive knowledge to each site they visit.

In a time when so many mills are balancing on a knife’s edge, this isn’t just a helpful service, it’s a vital one. Taking advantage of the reduced cost, the Yield Study now could provide the clarity and course correction needed to stay in business and thrive.

As we continue this new column, From the Field, we’ll bring you more stories of the people behind NHLA’s technical services, starting with Mark Bear, who reminds us that experience, insight, and a genuine desire to help are often the most valuable tools in any mill.