’17 LBOY, ALC Master Logger Action, Eric Johnson Tribute, Hard Helmets

Article by Article by DK Knight Executive Editor/Co-Publisher, Timber Harvesting October 2017

Congratulations to all those who make G. Ikola, Inc., Timber Harvesting’s 2017 Logging Business of the Year, a leading light in Idaho and the intermountain West. Led by Gerry Ikola and his wife of 40 years, Capella, the business involves their three children—Erica, Gerry Jr. and Gabe—who are preparing to assume eventual responsibility for keeping the wheels turning.

Two decades ago, when the Timber Harvesting editorial staff was refining qualifications for candidates for its inaugural Logging Business of the Year Award (LBOY), it determined the honor should symbolize leadership excellence, professionalism, integrity, business acumen and management, community and industrial service, harvesting know-how, innovation, safety, and environmental soundness.

Gerry, his family and their organization score high in all these categories, as revealed in Dan Shell’s account, which begins on page 10. What strikes me most about Gerry is his willingness to contribute freely to the forest products industry, as Dan puts it, “through extensive involvement outside his business,” over the years developing “a reputation as an industry leader with a calm demeanor and collaborative way of communicating and problem solving.”

TH received numerous nominations for the award this year and our team is grateful to all those who took the time to participate. Nominees included Jerry Gray of Florida; James Stu-pack of Montana; Brent, Scott and Brian Day of Maine; Phillip Hankins of Tennessee; Dennis Williams of Texas; Chris Langley of Alabama; and Frankie Arrants of North Carolina, the LBOY honoree in 2012. All except Arrants will be in the running for the honor next year, and additional nominations are welcomed.

Since this year marks the 20th anniversary of the award, it is fitting that we publish a list of all previously honored companies, beginning with 1998: Circle B Logging, Inc./QSDC, Inc., Arkansas; St. John Forest Products, Michigan; Hanson Logging, LLC, Washington; Quality Forest Products, Inc., Georgia; B&W Contractors, Inc., Texas; Wheeler Logging, Inc., California; Hanington Bros., Inc., Maine; Dick Walsh Forest Products, Minnesota; Emerald Valley Thinning, Oregon; Parnell Inc., Alabama; Castleberry Logging, Inc., Alabama; Jack Buell Trucking, Idaho; Max Ericson Logging,, Wisconsin; Arrants Logging, Inc./Frankie Arrants Trucking, Inc., North Carolina; Fort Mountain Companies, New Hampshire; Caudill Chipping, Ohio; Quiram Logging, Inc., Montana; and M.M. Wright Inc., Virginia.

ALC To Stimulate MLC

Following up on a proposal made at its spring board meeting, leaders of the American Loggers Council at its summer board meeting in July voted overwhelmingly to invest some $50,000 in coming months to revitalize its Master Logger Certification (MLC) program. The idea is that the MLC program can potentially build an effective marketing brand and elevate timber harvesting professionalism via a third-party chain of custody auditing process. (See article on page 6).

Adopted by the ALC in 2000 and based on a model created by the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine (PLC), the MLC program is recognized in 18 states and has been activated in only a few states, but proponents in some states contend it is working in their favor and is the wave of the future in a globally competitive setting. Proponents envision a time when global trade accord will stipulate third-party certification of timber harvesting and believe the time has come to get ahead of that curve with a logger-designed program that they see as far superior to current SFI training requirements.

They may be correct. It seems to me that currently mandated SFI logger training is of little, if any, value—mostly repetitive wheel spinning—and the program typically imposes no penalty against loggers who don’t follow Best Management Practices.

Remembering Eric Johnson

Along with countless others, I was saddened when I learned of Eric Johnson’s death on July 19, the day after he died while back home in Wisconsin visiting with family and friends. He had courageously battled cancer for many years.

For 35 years Eric wrote and edited stories and copy as Executive Editor of Northern Logger and Timber Processor magazine, headquartered in Old Forge, NY. He also helped the parent Northeastern Loggers’ Assn. stage trade shows and conduct meetings. He was an avid spokesman for the forest products industry and interacted well with the people and businesses involved.

I didn’t see Eric all that often but we communicated occasionally via email or phone. When I did see him at shows, meetings or other events, he was always a pleasure to be around. He liked to smile, and was gracious and honorable. He had lot of followers. I always enjoyed reading his editorials and he was good at what he did. He really loved the industry.

Last May the Northeastern Loggers’ Assn. fittingly presented Eric with its 2016 Outstanding Service to the Industry Award at the annual loggers’ banquet, and at its summer board meeting in July, the American Loggers Council board of directors paused for a moment of silence in his honor.