New Leader From the Old School

As a graduate of the NHLA Inspector Training School’s 71st class in 1980, I am one of the few remaining folks working in the industry who attended the “old school” on Tutwiler Street in Memphis. Our class was the last class held at that facility prior to moving into our beautiful new headquarters at Raleigh Lagrange later that same year. As a wide-eyed year-old kid, I never imagined that 44 years later, I would have the honor and responsibility of serving as the Chairman of the Board for this amazing association, with the bonus of being sworn in at the convention in my own home state. What a thrill!

I grew up in a sawmill family, and the hardwood lumber business has been my passion all my life. Following in my father’s and grand-father’s footsteps, there was never any question about what I wanted to do for a career. Today, I serve as President of MO PAC Lumber Co., and I am blessed to be able to work with all three of my boys at our mill. I am more passionate than ever for the continued suc-cess of our industry and this association because now my boys are depending on it, too. 

As a lumber inspector, I learned the importance of the grading rules that our association was founded upon. Understanding and having a working knowledge of these rules has given me the best foundation for success in this industry, and I owe a great deal of gratitude to the NHLA and the Inspector Training School. Volunteering to serve on this Board is a small way of giving back to an industry that has been so good to me and my family. 

As I look ahead to the next two years, I want to take a moment to thank the past NHLA leadership, under whom I had the privilege of serving on the Executive Committee. Darwin Murray was an amazing leader during one of the most difficult times in our association’s history. He made some very tough decisions, and I learned a lot from watching him lead. Jeff Wirkkala led us through a change of Executive Directors and challenged us to “Grow and Stabilize” our industry. His passion and outside-the-box thinking served me and our association very well. Most recently, we were led by one of the smartest and most amazing people I have ever met, Jon Syre. He has left some very large shoes to fill, but thankfully, he is going to continue to provide me with a lot of council over the next two years as our Immediate Past Chairman. 

Although I am from the “old school,” your Board of Directors and NHLA staff are some of the brightest and most innovative thinkers in our industry. Together, we will honor the past but focus on the future.
 
Thank you, members, for your confidence in me to serve as your association Chairman.

Bucky Pescaglia
NHLA Chairman | Missouri-Pacific Lumber Co., Inc.