American Loggers Council Gathers In California 

The American Loggers Council marked its 30th anniversary with its 2024 annual meeting on October 1-4 in Sonora/Jamestown, Calif. The theme of the meeting was “The American Logger: A Legacy of Achievement.” Veteran California logger Mike Albrecht, who has served as ALC President since October 2023, hosted the event in his home state in a cooperative effort between ALC and Associated California Loggers (ACL). Loggers, state association representatives and other industry allies came in from all over the U.S., many taking advantage of the event’s location in the Sierra Nevada foothills to visit the (relatively) nearby scenic beauty of Yosemite National Park or the ancient Giant Sequoias at Big Trees State Park.

Attendees had the opportunity to tour a wood biomass facility and meet industry legend Archie Aldis “Red” Emmerson of Sierra Pacific Industries. There was also a demonstration of Kodama Systems’ remote operated skidder that is currently in testing.

The seminar agenda included presentations on the wildfires that have ravaged the West Coast, and on developing new logging technologies and emerging new wood fiber markets like mass timber and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Speakers included California Congressman Tom McClintock and Arkansas Congressman Bruce Westerman.

ALC recognized the Southern Loggers Cooperative as its 2024 Activist of the Year. Since 2005 that organization has grown to include 35 stations across the greater South and has returned more than $200 million to its members. SLC President Todd Martin, who has been with the group since 2012, accepted the award alongside VP/COO Jason Slatten and Associate Director Bill Jones.

During its annual Log a Load for Kids auction, ALC raised more than $127,000 for UC Davis Children’s Hospital. California Log a Load coordinator Lisa Medici and UC Davis Assistant Director of Development Charlie Albertalli accepted the big check.

At the President’s Farewell Banquet, Timber Harvesting managing editor Dan Shell presented the 2024 Timber Harvesting Logging Business of the Year award to Shamco, Inc. of Iron River, Mich. Members of the Shamion family were on hand to accept the honor. The keynote speaker for the evening was Bruce Vincent, author and third-generation logger from Libby, Mont. President Albrecht kept with tradition by ceremoniously passing the President’s gavel…to himself, after the ALC board at its executive meeting voted for Albrecht to serve a second year term until October 2025.