Member SpotlightOur Member Spotlight provides the opportunity for ESFPA to highlight members who have contributed greatly to our organization and to the overall forest products industry. These members are chosen quarterly in conjunction with our envoy publication. If you know someone who you think may be a good candidate to be featured in one of our Member Spotlights, please give us a call at (518) 463-1297 or email us at [email protected].
October 2024: Hugh Canham Dr. Hugh Canham is Professor Emeritus at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, where he taught and conducted research in forest and resource economics for over 30 years. At SUNY ESF he earned B.S., M.S., and PhD degrees in Forestry, Photogrammetry, and Forest Economics. He has done research in forest land ownership, regional economic impacts, forest taxation, and forestry practices. His dissertation was a landmark study which was then adopted as the model by the U.S. Forest Service for its now ongoing nationwide forest owner studies. His teachings embraced land use economics, the economics of non-market goods and integrated forest management. He is the author of five articles in the Encyclopedia of New York and has several entries in the Encyclopedia of American Forest and Conservation History. In addition, he has a long list of published articles in the field of forestry economics. He has served as consultant to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Northern Forest Lands Council, Tug Hill Commission, US Department of Agriculture, and NYC Catskill Watershed Agriculture Council. Dr. Canham is an active member of the NY Forest Owners Association (NYFOA), Society of American Foresters (SAF), and the Empire State Forest Products Association (ESFPA). He is the author of ESFPA’s “The First 100 Years”, published in 2006 highlighting the history, key issues, and events of ESFPA in the 100 years since its formation in 1906. He also wrote “Just the Facts: The Past, Present, & Future of New York’s Forest & Forest Products”, which has been a crucial educational resource for the industry. ESFPA Executive Director, John Bartow, notes that “Hugh has been a tremendous contributor to ESFPA’s work throughout the years.” As a long-time member of both NYFOA and ESFPA, Dr. Canham has helped challenge the notion that the two organizations cannot work together due to a difference in objectives. Through collaboration on events such as Forestry Awareness Day, Dr. Canham remains committed to working with both organizations. He states that “ESFPA is a great organization, and I have been happy to work closely with them over the years; I hope to continue working with ESFPA for years to come.” Dr. Canham is a dedicated educator and an inspiring advocate for the forest products industry with an unparalleled passion for his work. At ESFPA, we would like to honor his exceptional achievements and express our gratitude for his many years of contributions
July 2024: Vestige At Vestige, we are proud to partner with the Empire State Forest Products Association and offer a reduced rate on our comprehensive Camera & GPS solution. We work exclusively with the Logging/Forestry industry and believe in providing better visibility to improve safety and control, enhance performance, increase productivity, and improve peace of mind that your trucks and drivers are protected. We have a modern and flexible SaaS Telematics platform that delivers an ROI by reducing operational costs, increasing loads per week, improving safety with maximum visibility, and reducing insurance premiums by reducing fraudulent claims. We are unique in that we can manage up to 8 cameras per truck, offering side and rear visibility down the side of the trailer protecting our customers from liability. VestigeView is your defense against the hazards your drivers face every day with our customizable camera system and comprehensive GPS software. With Vestige, you can access live video feeds or view historical events anywhere, anytime from any truck because the system is constantly recording from ignition on until 1 hour after ignition off. Our trainers are here to customize and train you on the solution so that your operation is running at maximum capacity, while protecting your trucks on the road. With Vestige, you have one point of contact and an in-house support staff centrally located at the home office to resolve issues immediately should they arise. Features:
Please reach out to Derek Breedlove at 704-770-8392 or [email protected] to schedule a live demo or speak more about the Vestige Multi-Camera solution that so many loggers are already utilizing. March 2024: Gutchess Lumber - 120 Years in the Hardwood Industry Since 1904, Gutchess Lumber Co., Inc. has produced quality northern hardwood lumber across New York and Pennsylvania. As a fifth-generation family and employee-owned organization, they continue to strive to meet and exceed their customer expectations. George Gutchess built the first mill on his farm in Leeper, NY, back in 1904 with a dream of being the areas go to hardwood supplier. This legacy was carried on by his son, Clair Gutchess, who developed a loyal, dedicated and hardworking team of employees. Now in their fifth generation of Gutchess family leadership, Matthew Gutchess continues to push boundaries. For over 12 decades Gutchess Lumber has carried on as a premier hardwood lumber producer. Today, over 500 employees are on the job working diligently and proudly serving customers in New York, Pennsylvania and around the world. They operate 7 locations (4 of these locations are sawmills), produce over 100 million board feet of lumber annually, and have 5 million b/f of kilns! Matt Gutchess, President of Gutchess Lumber remarks that “Gutchess Lumber is not only a fifth-generation family-owned business, but we’re also an ESOP. ESOP stands for Employee Stock Ownership Plan. As our employees retire, the company repurchases their shares and recycles those shares to new participants, which perpetuates the employee ownership. Our employees are self-motivated employee owners.” John Zemanick, Vice President of Natural Resources for Gutchess and current ESFPA Board member says, “as an employee owner of Gutchess Lumber Co. Inc., a 5th generation family-owned business, I am extremely proud to work for a company that has been a leader in the hardwood products industry for 120 years. Throughout those 120 years, Gutchess has accumulated and sustainably managed nearly 30,000 acres of premium northern hardwood timberland and has grown to 7 production locations across New York and Pennsylvania. Every employee owner of Gutchess works together to manage, purchase, mill and sell a sustainable, high-quality product into the hardwood industry.” John Bartow, ESFPA Executive Director states that “Gutchess has been a stalwart of hardwood production industry. For decades they have been a loyal ESFPA member with a presence on our Board. ESFPA also has an award in the name of Neil B. Gutchess, who served as President of the Empire State Forest Products Association from 1974 to 1977. This award recognizes individuals and/or organizations who make outstanding contributions to the forests and wood products industry in New York State and beyond, just as Gutchess Lumber has done.” On behalf of the ESFPA Board, staff and all our members we extend a hearty congratulations to Gutchess Lumber and may many more years yet be in your future!
December 2023: Tom Gerow of Wagner Lumber Presented Neil B. Gutchess Award At the December 2023 Board of Directors Meeting, the Empire State Forest Products Association was proud to present the Neil B. Gutchess Award to Tom Gerow of Wagner Lumber. The Board had unanimously agreed that Tom would be the perfect recipient of the award, as its purpose is to recognize individuals and/or organizations who make outstanding contributions to the forests and wood products industry in New York State and beyond. The decision to present this award to Tom Gerow came in the wake of his recent announcement that he will soon begin his retirement after 35 years of working for Wagner Lumber as a procurement forester and mill manager. He created their sustainable procurement program and greatly contributed to Wagner’s growth and success throughout the years. He has also been an integral part of ESFPA, serving on the Board of Directors for 18 years and serving as Board Chair for 4 years. Jen DeFrancesco, current ESFPA Board Chair, remarks that “Tom Gerow is the true embodiment of what the Neil Gutchess award is all about. He has consistently been one of the first people to volunteer for extra tasks, responsibilities, and committees. Often challenging others to do the same, truly leading by example.” John Bartow, ESFPA Executive Director, states that “Tom Gerow has been an outstanding representative of the hardwood sector of New York as a forester and mill manager for over 3 decades. He has also been active in many trade associations including ESFPA, Penn York Lumbermen’s Club, and Hardwood Manufacturers Association. We will miss him and his commitment to the forest and wood products industry.” We are grateful for everything Tom Gerow has done for the industry and for ESFPA. We would like to congratulate him on receiving this award and wish him the best of luck in his retirement.
October 2023: Dan Robbins: Logger of the Year At this year’s Woodsmen’s Field Days, ESFPA held a “Logger of the Year” contest through anonymous submissions at our booth. After the Field Days, we tallied the votes and there was a clear majority for one person – Dan Robbins. When we gave him a call to inform him of his victory, he seemed bewildered that so many people would want to nominate him as Logger of the Year. However, after speaking with him and hearing more about his life and extensive connections, it was clear why he was so well respected and how he won our contest by a landslide. Dan Robbins is the owner/operator of Dan Robbins LLC, although this business venture was far from his first experience working in the forest products industry. He actually began his career in the industry at the tender age of only 12, working for his grandfather who owned a wood business. During the day he helped his father work construction and then helped cut wood at night. At merely 16, when Dan was old enough to drive, he took over that business for his grandfather. At 65 years old now, he has maintained his presence in the industry, working for some of the largest wood product manufacturing companies in the state, including Baillie Lumber Co. and Gutchess Lumber Co. He started his logging business in 1984, got into the firewood business in 1986, and sawed for 20 years between 1990 and 2010. Dan has been a member of ESFPA for over 25 years, ever since his time working for Gutchess in the early 1990s. He has also taken many New York Logger Training safety courses over the years and has managed to maintain a record of virtually no injuries at his business. He likes what he does and says his favorite part of the job is being able to work in the woods. Dan has two sons, one of whom is carrying on the family tradition as a 4th generation forest products industry worker by running the felling machine and boring the sugar for his maple syrup facility. That’s right, Dan Robbins also owns his own maple syrup facility, producing 4,000 gallons of syrup per year/ 8,500 taps. Dan considers himself a jack of all trades, but says he is able to maintain a good balance between his two operations. He states that juggling the businesses actually works out nicely for him, since there is a seasonal cycle between logging and maple syrup production. He always keeps himself busy, noting that our brief phone interview was likely his longest idle time in over a week. It is evident that Dan is an exceptionally hard working man who has been able to spend his life pursuing his passions. We are proud to have him in our industry and would like to congratulate him as the 2023 ESFPA/NYLT Logger of the Year!
July 2023: Greg Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick & Weller, Inc. Since its founding in 1895, Fitzpatrick & Weller, Inc. of Ellicottville NY has played an important role in the hardwood lumber and wood components industries. Now in its fourth generation, brothers Dan and Greg Fitzpatrick are running the business together as it continues to thrive and adapt to the times. Fitzpatrick & Weller, Inc. originally specialized in manufacturing shoe lasts, which are a mechanical form shaped like a foot that were popularly used by shoemakers and cordwainers in the manufacture and repair of shoes. In the 1960’s, Fitzpatrick & Weller Inc. was the largest manufacturer of shoe lasts in the country. However, following the sudden rise of plastics in shoe last production, they were quickly unable to keep up with competition. Although they attempted to also make the shift to plastics in their manufacturing, soon they instead got into the sawmill and wood components business where they again excelled. Today, Fitzpatrick & Weller, Inc. is still known for their quality raw materials sourced from New York forests, master crafted production, and customer-oriented management. They provide state-of-the-art equipment, material knowledge, and manufacturing expertise that brings customers the best combination of aesthetic characteristics for optimal value. They ship lumber all over the world to places such as Europe, China, and Vietnam, while producing a variety of products including strips, edge-glue panels, glued up squares, mouldings and CNC parts for furniture, flooring, and musical instruments. They currently employ 93 individuals and consider them to be their “most valuable asset” with a commitment to quality, training, safety, and delivery schedules that allows Fitzpatrick & Weller, Inc. to produce products that meet the most intricate specifications on a timely basis in container-load quantities. After being asked why he chose to continue the family legacy, Greg Fitzpatrick stated that while his father always hoped that he would come back to the business, he also worked in the wood component factory during summer breaks from college and enjoyed working with wood as well as working with his family. After 6 years of working at Price Waterhouse utilizing his CPA, he was ready for a change. He officially started at F&W in 1988 and subsequently became President in 2005. Greg states that when he started in 1988, he “could never have imagined how much this industry and manufacturing in general would change over the next 35 years. Fortunately, we were able to change with the times.” A fitting mantra from their website states “whatever your hardwood needs, we work hard to exceed your expectations.” Fitzpatrick & Weller Inc. has also been a valued ESFPA member for many years, with a history on our Board of Directors. They maintain a close relationship with us as we continue to advocate for businesses like theirs in the forest products industry. Greg describes ESFPA as a “critical” piece of the industry in our political efforts in NY’s capital, especially noting that he “appreciates the work ESFPA did to keep the industry essential during the COVID-19 pandemic.” We would like to extend our appreciation for them as well and thank them for their continued support and for the work they do as a constant pillar of New York’s forest products industry.
March 2023: Dan H. Moore This month, the Empire State Forest Products Association would like to highlight longtime member and beloved logger, Dan H. Moore of Hamilton County, who passed away on Sunday, December 4th, 2022. Dan, the owner of Dan Moore Logging Inc., was a hardworking man who embodied the very heart and soul of the logging industry, loving the work he did and advocating for safety and sustainability practices. Dan came from a line of loggers and his zeal for the industry began at age 7 when he started helping his father with his logging business. “That’s the time to learn” he stated in an interview with the Adirondack Experience. He firmly believed that logging is hereditary and “once it’s in your blood you can’t get it out. You have to have done it to appreciate it.” However, it wasn’t just destiny that led Dan to be a logger. His passion was palpable, and his family states that although the industry is always changing, he was more than willing to change with it. His daughter Kate affirms that his love for the outdoors was so ardent that he never really retired: “He didn’t want to slow down. He was at peace in the woods, aside from when he was with his family, the woods were where he was his most comfortable, most authentic self.” Dan’s sincerity for his work was also evident in his views on logger safety. He was a huge advocate for safety training, and even kept articles pertaining to logger safety in a personal notebook which he was quick to share with fellow loggers. He was a large proponent of attending New York Logger Training workshops and would seek out whatever training was required to maintain his certification. He was one of the first loggers to be certified through New York Logger Training and was on his seventh certification renewal. His family asserts that Dan always took his time and did a good job while having respect and appreciation for both the job sites and landowners. Dan proved that sustainability can be an essential part of logging, and always aimed to put the land first. An Adirondack Life article written in 2007 titled “Log On: Two Lumberjacks Show a Skeptic the Value of Timbering” outlines how the author’s day with Dan Moore completely changed his viewpoint on logging. After speaking to the author, he stated that prior to spending the day with Dan Moore he had no firsthand experience or exposure to the logging industry aside from the tales of deforestation in the Amazon that made him recoil from the idea of logging. However, Dan was so selective, careful, and precise in his methods, explaining his processes so well that the author left with a newfound respect for lumbermen and the work they do, describing Dan as “very down to earth, honest, and straightforward. Like a throwback to the era of the pioneers.” Dan is quoted in this article saying “you’ve gotta do it right so the forest can keep on going. That’s number one with us.” Dan was meticulous with his work, taking every job seriously and planning in advance. He knew the woods better than anyone else and appreciated the solace, saying “I like being out there where there’s no people. Just the bugs and once in a while a snowstorm or two.” After his passing, his family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the Empire State Forest Products Association. ESFPA received a total of $765 and will be utilizing that money to provide more logger safety classes in his honor. In addition, we also received a beautiful card with a message that truly epitomizes Dan Moore and his legacy: “Dan passed from this life way too soon. We were blessed to know his character and love for his family and the land. His pride and joy beside his family was for a job well done. He was a craftsman in the woods and the shop and left the forest in good shape after the job so that the birds still sang and the deer had a place to go- he will be missed!” The following are all the people who graciously donated to ESFPA in Dan’s memory: • Lisa Moore • Kate Kocienski and Jessica Hickman • Ronda Wells • Camile Boden • W. Fish • SUWRFC - Kim Cooney • Mark & Elsa Schisler • James Fullerton • Brian & Julie Moore • David & Ruth Moore • BravoEcho
December 2022: Ed Wright After 25 years with the Empire State Forest Products Association (ESFPA), President and CEO of W J Cox Associates Inc., Ed Wright has announced his retirement from the Board of Directors. His first introduction to the forest products industry happened when Bill Cox, the founder of W J Cox Associates, approached him to build an insurance program for the fire and liability needs of loggers who participated in the New York Lumbermen’s Insurance Trust Fund. Years later, as Bill considered retirement, he chose Ed for a leadership role in his company, and he has now served as President and CEO of the company for over 28 years. Ed was critical to the survival of the New York Lumberman’s Insurance Trust Fund during the self-insurance industry crisis of the early 2000’s. Of the 60 independent group self-insurers, the New York Lumbermen’s is one of only three that remained due to Ed’s incredible foresight and reputation. Ed has also been an essential part of ESFPA. During Ed’s term as Chairman of the Board from 2004-2007, his leadership was integral in the campaign to build the Forestry Resource Center as ESFPA’s new headquarters. Current Board Chair, Jen DeFrancesco, notes “as chair of the Board, Ed was fair and even-tempered. He had a way of diffusing even the most contentious meetings”. In addition to ESFPA, Ed has served in leadership positions for the Center of Woodlands, NYS Wood Products Development Council, and the Northern Woodlands. Furthermore, he currently serves on the Merchants Mutual Board of Directors, and for 20+ years on the Board of Niagara Lutheran Homes and the Sisters of St. Francis. Ed continues to be extremely passionate about this industry and those in it. Ed’s core values are his belief that training and investment in loss prevention are truly the only proactive ways to bring down the frequency and cost of injuries in the logging and forest products industry. He is committed to the people he hires, maintaining high expectations of them while allowing them to make and learn from their mistakes. His longtime friend and coworker, Kevin Brown, describes him as “a charismatic guy and a dynamic leader” who “has a vision for where he wants to take organizations”. This conduct is why a unanimous decision was made to present him with the Neil Gutchess Award, which recognizes individuals and/or organizations who make outstanding contributions to the forests and wood products industry in New York State and beyond. Ed is known as “a good person first, a good president second”. Time passes quickly with him, and he manages to be humorous and entertaining while also upholding his professionalism. He enjoys motorcycle riding and bird hunting in addition to spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ed has been a strong leader for both the organization and for the industry, and his presence will be greatly missed.
August 2022: Tim Burpoe Tim Burpoe is celebrating his retirement as a distinguished member of the forest products industry. From the suburbs of Yonkers, people frequently ask how he ended up living and working in the Adirondacks. He often jests that “his bus broke down”, but the truth is that Tim always had an affinity for the forest. An active member of the Boy Scouts, he knew from an early age that he wanted to be in a profession that fulfilled his dream of working outdoors. After receiving his two-year degree from Paul Smith’s College and his four-year degree from SUNY ESF, he began working as a land procurement forester. He recalls these earlier years of his career as the most formidable, yet also where he was able to learn the most. As his career progressed, so did his achievements. During his last 14 years working at The Molpus Woodlands Group LLC., he was responsible for managing over 280,000 acres of land in the Adirondacks and Pennsylvania. His duties were extensive, notably including overseeing substantial conservation easements as well as the sustainable harvesting of timber. His outstanding contributions to the industry earned him the title of NY Chapter SAF Forester of the Year in 2018, which recognized both his role in the forestry profession and his conservation efforts. Tim also asserts that ESFPA has always been a key proponent for the forest products industry, and he spent the last 5 years on ESFPA’s Board of Directors. Looking back at his career, his advice to young foresters is: “get involved! It doesn’t matter how old you are. There is a lot of outside interest competing with us, so you must use your voice to be heard!” Even in his retirement, Tim continues to do forestry consulting work, and plans on spending much of the future traveling and being with his children.
August 2022: Dennis Phillips Dennis Phillips is one of the most notable names in ESFPA history. His vast knowledge of the industry and the organization largely stems from the fact that he was present at the creation of “modern ESFPA” at its incorporation, now 40 years ago in 1982. However, even since his childhood, Dennis has been drawn to the forest industry. As a boy growing up in Lowville NY, his playground was Tug Hill and the Western Adirondacks, and he spent his entire childhood in the woods enjoying the wilderness. His father worked in the paper industry, and he fondly remembers that every aptitude test he took in high school claimed he would be a forester one day. Although he ultimately decided to pursue a career as a lawyer, after graduating from law school, he knew he wanted to leave the city and get back to nature. He has now spent 48 years as a practicing lawyer and works at the oldest firm in Glens Falls, founded in 1911. He has put forestry at the forefront of his law career and has been involved with multiple major cases involving the transition of forest lands to protected forest lands in the Adirondacks. He also still spends much of his recreational time outdoors and considers the forest and mountains his “happy place”. Dennis speaks ardently about his connection to ESFPA and the forest industry, recounting how the organization has grown and evolved over its 40-year history. He considers himself “a cheerleader for ESFPA”, and when asked about his own accomplishments he states: “my accomplishment is the accomplishment of the people who have manned the organization; the people who have worked to make a difference in the industry: loggers, sawmill owners, vendors, they are amazing people who are so connected to the industry, environment, forest, balance… a group of people who are so passionate about what they do.” Dennis has no plans of slowing down any time soon and fully intends on working with ESFPA for many more years, saying “I get to come in the door and work with people committed to the industry, it’s exciting and I enjoy waking up every day!”
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