U.S. Lumber Coalition Appoints New Co-Chairs

CONTACT: Zoltan van Heyningen
[email protected] | 703-597-8651

October 25, 2017

U.S. Lumber Coalition Appoints New Co-Chairs

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Lumber Coalition today announced the appointment of Jason Brochu and Joe Patton as Co-Chairs of the Coalition Board of Directors. Jason Brochu is Co-President of Pleasant River Lumber Company, headquartered in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. Joe Patton is Vice President of Wood Products of The Westervelt Company, headquartered in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

“For decades, we have dealt with Canada’s unfair trade practices in the form of substantial subsidies, often in the form of low fees to harvest trees from publicly owned land,” stated Brochu. “This puts U.S. lumber mills at a significant competitive disadvantage. As Co-Chair I will continue the Coalition’s fight for our country, state, workers and the communities our businesses support.”

“The mission of the U.S. Lumber Coalition is to level the playing field against subsidized and unfairly traded imports from Canada,” added Patton. “American mills have the capacity and desire to grow and increase employment, and the United States has the natural resources to support these goals. All we need is fair chance to compete, be it through the enforcement of the U.S. trade laws or through a new trade agreement with Canada on softwood lumber. As Co-Chair, I’m excited to bring both my passion and over 40 years of industry experience to the Coalition as it navigates this pivotal time in history.”

Brochu and Patton succeed Charles Thomas III of Shuqualak Lumber located in Shuqualak, Mississippi. The Coalition expresses its deep gratitude for Mr. Thomas’ years of leadership and dedicated service to the Coalition and the industry. Mr. Thomas will continue to serve as a Member of the Coalition Board.