Don Finkell, retiring CEO of Shaw Hardwood and Anderson Hardwood Floors (Greenville, SC), has been unanimously elected Chairman of the Board of the Washington, DC-based Hardwood Federation.  The Hardwood Federation is the only national trade organization representing all sectors of the hardwood business, all the way up the supply chain from the land right to consumers.

“I’m honored my colleagues have put their faith in me and I’m looking forward to carrying on the great work my predecessors have been doing,” said Finkell.  “My main goal for the Federation is to broaden its base of support within the hardwood associations and their member companies. The Hardwood Federation does incredible work on behalf of the entire American hardwood industry, however, support has always been centered among a handful of big producer associations.  I want to get more organizations and companies that directly benefit from our work to support us.  The more voices are heard, the more effective the Federation can be for everyone.”

The Hardwood Federation works with Congress and the Administration on a host of issues that impact the hardwood community that is mostly made up of small businesses.  Tax and trade policy, government regulation, and green building are some of the larger policy issues the Federation has been working on in recent years.  Finkell sees no change in the future.

“The key issues before the Federation at this time are heightened government regulation, insuring global competitiveness of our industry on the world stage, and promoting the environmental and performance attributes of American hardwood before the buying and specifying community,” Finkell offered.  “And, of course, responding to the ‘Crises-of-the-Month’ that seem to come with the DC territory.”

“I’m looking forward to working with Don in his new role on the Board, although the truth is, he’s always been a very active, dependable Federation leader,” said Hardwood Federation Executive Director Dana Lee Cole.

“There’s a significant amount of sacrifice you make taking this job,” said outgoing Federation Chairman Brad Thompson, CEO of Columbia Forest Products (Greensboro, NC).  “Don’s a great force in the industry, and assuming this leadership position on behalf of everyone in the industry – whether they realize it or not – is great for him and great for us.  I’ve had a wonderful experience and lots of success, but now it’s Don’s turn, and I know we’ll be in capable hands with him at the helm.”