Industry Experts | National Hardwood Lumber Association

MEET THE TEAM

For over 120 years, the title of NHLA National Inspector has stood for integrity, expertise, and commitment to the global hardwood lumber industry. The legacy of the NHLA “National Man” lives on with our current team of NHLA National Inspectors. This team has more than 200 years of combined experience serving our industry in the United States, Canada, and around the world, and their experience goes well beyond lumber inspections.

Dana Spessert

Chief Inspector

d.spessert@nhla.com | 901-399-7551

Read Dana's Bio

Dana began working for NHLA as Chief Inspector in September 2010 and has more than 30 years of industry experience. As Chief Inspector, Dana is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the NHLA grading rules by supervising the association’s National Inspectors. He also serves as the Dean of the NHLA Inspector Training School.

Dana was born into the lumber industry – his father graduated from the NHLA Inspector Training School in 1962. A native of West Virginia, Dana began his career working at his family-owned sawmill and later graduated from the NHLA Inspector Training School in the spring of 1986. Dana worked independently as a Lumber Inspector for several companies in the areas surrounding Elkins, West Virginia. He also spent five years working as the production supervisor at Colonial Millworks, Ltd. Dana then spent the next nine years working as the Quality Control Manager for Coastal Lumber Company. Dana is a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Leadership Training Course.

Dana can be reached at 901-399-7551, or via email at d.spessert@nhla.com.

Tom Byers

Northern Region – North Central, North East

Specialties: Dispute Resolution, Lumber Inspection, Quality Control, Training, Walnut Inspection, and Operations Management.

t.byers@nhla.com | 814-431-5699

Read Tom's Bio

Tom is a native of Pennsylvania and always knew he wanted to work in the hardwood lumber industry. Upon graduating from West Forest High School in 1984, he began his career with Kinzua Wood Products, pulling lumber and operating the rip saw. He worked several years for Hammer Mill pulling lumber before deciding to begin a career in the hardwood industry. He enrolled in the NHLA Inspector Training School in 1988.

Tom was an impressive student and graduated first in his class (Class #95). After graduation, he immediately took a job with ITL Lumber Company, where he spent the next seven years working as a Lumber Inspector. In 1995, he accepted an offer to be a Lumber Inspector for JT Shannon Lumber and remained there for 11 years. In 2006, NHLA was looking to hire another “National Man,” and Tom came highly recommended by NHLA National Inspector, Barry Kibbey. Armed with a fantastic resume and strong references, Tom was quickly hired by NHLA and began his career as a National Inspector.

Tom can be reached at 814-431-5699, or via email at t.byers@nhla.com.

Mark Depp

Mid Atlantic Region – East, South East

Specialties: Dispute Resolution, Log Scaling/Grading, Lumber Inspection, Quality Control, Sawmill Management/Operations, Training, and Operations Management.

m.depp@nhla.com | 814-246-4941

Read Mark's Bio

Mark began his career as a teenager working in the woods with his father and grandfather. Eventually, they bought a couple of log skidders and trucks. Mark worked as their inspector, graduating from Inspection Training School in 1999. When their mill shut down in 2003, Mark worked as a lumber broker.

Mark can be reached at 814-246-4941 or at m.depp@nhla.com

Kevin Evilsizer

Midwest & Western Regions – North Central, Midwest, West, International

Specialties: International Inspection, Lumber Inspection, Certifications, Quality Control, and Training

k.evilsizer@nhla.com | 417-260-5416

Read Kevin's Bio

Kevin is a second-generation Lumber Inspector. Kevin’s father encouraged him to join the hardwood lumber industry at a young age, helping Kevin get a job pulling lumber off the green chain at (North Pacific Lumber Company) McClain Forest Products before he had even graduated from high school. Kevin worked his way through the sawmill, learning how to operate forklifts, unload trucks, use dry kilns, dip lumber, cut samples, and more. After that, Kevin was ready to become a Lumber Inspector, attending NHLA Inspector Training School and graduating with the 187^thclass.

Kevin can be reached at 417-260-5416, or via email at k.evilsizer@nhla.com.

Simon Larocque

Canada Regions

Specialties: Birch, Maple, and Walnut Inspection, Dispute Resolution, Lumber Inspection, Quality Control, and Training

s.larocque@nhla.com| 819-712-1640

Read Simon's Bio

Simon has a bachelor’s degree in computer programming from College De L’Outaouais in Canada. After graduation, he realized that he wasn’t passionate about computer programming and set out to find a new career. Simon’s uncle helped him to get a job as a lumber stacker at Turpin Forest Products in 1995. He graduated from the Duchesnay School of Forestry in 1997 and was hired by NHLA in 1998.

Simon’s favorite thing about working in the hardwood industry is collaborating with family-owned businesses to help them become as profitable as possible.

Simon can be reached at 819-712-1640, or via email at s.laroque@nhla.com.

Benji Richards

NHLA Industry Services Sales Manager

b.richards@nhla.com | 828-610-3406

Read Benji's Bio

Benji began his career in the hardwood lumber industry in 1993 at Hardwood Sales in Conover, NC, working under owner Jim Smith and General Manager Stuart Clark. He hand-packed lumber for John Oakes and learned the basics of lumber inspection. During his 8 years of service to Hardwood Sales, he also learned kiln operations and became the maintenance supervisor. Benji graduated from the NHLA Inspector Training School in January 1995 as part of the 116^thclass. Benji previously served as an NHLA National Inspector from 2003 to 2017. He loves his family, wife (Summer) and daughter (Darby), bear hunting with hounds, and providing high-quality services to NHLA and our members.

*Time of Withdrawal*	*Refund Amount*
Prior to start of class	Full tuition
Prior to end of 2nd week of class	$1,875
Prior to end of 4th week of class	$625
After 4th week of class	No refund