#USA #West Fraser #AWC #Leesburg #Sean McLaren

West Fraser's New Leadership at AWC

The American Wood Council (AWC) has recently made headlines with the election of West Fraser's President and CEO, Sean McLaren, as the new Board Chair. This significant appointment is set to last for two years starting from January 1, 2026. Sean McLaren will be supported by Derek Ratchford, the CEO of SmartLam, who has been elected as First Vice Chair, and Ashlee Cribb, PotlatchDeltic's Vice President of Wood Products, taking on the role of Second Vice Chair.

Mr. McLaren expressed his gratitude towards the outgoing officers, praising their dedication and industry knowledge. He stated, "I want to thank our officers for their dedication and leadership. They each bring significant industry experience that will help guide and support AWC's future direction. I look forward to working with them as we continue to advocate for the U.S. wood products industry."

In addition to the elections, three new members have also joined the AWC Board. These include Will Lampe, the President and CEO of Lampe and Malphrus Lumber, representing the Lumber Segment, Craig Sichling from LP Building Solutions, who will represent the Structural Panel Segment, and Charles McRae, owner of Rex Lumber, who will sit on the Environmental Committee.

AWC President and CEO Jackson Morrill emphasized the board's unique position to drive the industry forward, highlighting that they represent a diverse range of interests within the wood products sector. "Our board is uniquely positioned to strategically advance our industry, as they represent a wide variety of products from lumber to mass timber to structural panels. As a group, they are ready to tackle today's opportunities and challenges for our sector with enthusiasm and innovation," he said.

The AWC Board is now comprised of a formidable team of leaders, including Sean McLaren from West Fraser, Derek Ratchford from SmartLam, Ashlee Cribb from PotlatchDeltic, and other industry stalwarts from TR Miller Mill Company, Idaho Forest Group, and Georgia-Pacific, among others. This team collectively represents a significant segment of the structural wood products industry, accounting for 87.5% of the market and nearly 465,000 jobs within the sector.

The AWC plays a crucial role in championing the use of wood products in construction and advocating for standards and technology that reflect their sustainability and carbon reduction capabilities. They additionally provide vital educational resources to design, code, and fire officials, reinforcing AWC's reputation as a trusted resource in the industry.

As the new leadership team takes the helm, it is poised to advance strategies that benefit both the members and the broader timber community, ensuring a strong representation for the U.S. wood products industry on various fronts, including environmental advocacy and innovation in wood product development. This new chapter for the AWC and its leadership team signifies a significant step toward addressing contemporary challenges while seizing new opportunities within the wood products sector.