The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the appointment of four members to serve on the Softwood Lumber Board. The appointees will serve three-year terms, effective Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2026.
The newly appointed members are:
- Keith O’Rear, Prosper, TX (U.S. South, Large Seat)
- Fritz R. Mason, Atlanta, GA (U.S. South, Large Seat)
- Ashlee Cribb, Spokane, WA (U.S. West, Flex Seat)
- Craig Johnston, Portland, OR (Importer Any Region, Small Seat)
The Softwood Lumber Board has 14 members, including 10 domestic manufacturers and four importers. Members can serve up to two consecutive three-year terms.
More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Softwood Lumber Board webpage.
Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 22 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.
AMS policy is that diversity of the boards, councils and committees it oversees should reflect the diversity of their industries in terms of the experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies and other distinguishing factors, including but not limited to individuals from historically underserved communities, that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. Throughout the full nomination process, the industry must conduct extensive outreach, paying particular attention to reaching underserved communities, and consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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