The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of six members to serve on the Softwood Lumber Board. These six appointees will serve three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and ending Dec. 31, 2028, unless otherwise noted.
Newly appointed members appointed are:
U.S. South, small seat: Richard K. Stanley, Brewton, Alabama
U.S. South Alternate, any size (two-year term): Mark Alan Richardson, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
U.S. West, small seat: Sonja Neiman, Hulett, Wyoming
U.S. West Alternate, any size: Steven Hofer, Vancouver, Canada
U.S. Northeast and Lake States, any size: Alden Robbins, Searsmont, Maine
Canada West, large seat: Sean Peter McLaren, Vancouver, Canada
Importer Alternate, any size (four-year term): Thomas Alexander Mende, Atlanta, Georgia
Public Member: Troy Harris, Atlanta Georgia
Public Alternate: Derek Ratchford, Dothan, Alabama
U.S. South, any size (one-year term): Brian K. Chaney, Seattle, Washington
The Softwood Lumber Board has 14 members, including 10 domestic manufacturers and four importers. Members can serve up to two consecutive three-year terms. After this nomination cycle, the board will have 15 members and four alternates.
More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Softwood Lumber Board webpage: https://softwoodlumberboard.org/.
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.
