NHLA names new chief inspector

Dana Spessert, formerly with the Coastal Lumber Co., was named chief inspector of the National Hardwood Lumber Association.

"Dana Spessert is an enormous asset to the NHLA team," says Mark Barford, the trade group's executive director, in a news release. "His extensive lumber inspection and training experience prepares him well to take on the important role of chief inspector. We are very excited to have him with us and look forward to introducing him to the members in Vancouver during the 2010 NHLA Annual Convention & Exhibit Showcase."

As chief inspector, Spessert is charged with maintaining the integrity of the NHLA grading rules by supervising the association's field staff of six full-time inspectors. Spessert will also guide the overall strategy of expanding the use of the NHLA grading rules globally as the chief inspector position will now carry a greater international focus as the NHLA grading rules become the standard around the world for grading hardwood lumber. Spessert brings more than 25 years of experience in the areas of lumber inspection, management, program development, quality assurance and customer service.

Spessert was the northern division quality control manager for Coastal Lumber Co., where he hired and trained technicians at remote locations; instructed lumber inspectors on proper interpretation of NHLA grading rules and established an effective quality-control program resulting in increased revenue. Prior his time at Coastal Lumber Co., Spessert was production supervisor at Colonial Millworks Ltd. and a lumber inspector at Tygart Moulding Corp.