USDA appoints new members to softwood lumber board for 2025

 Tuesday, December 23, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently appointed six members and four alternates to the Softwood Lumber Board. For 2026, three regional alternate seats and public member and alternate seats have been added.

The appointed Board members are:

• Richard K. Stanley, T.R. Miller Mill Co. (U.S. South, Small, second term).
• Sonja Neiman, Neiman Enterprises (U.S. West, Small).
• Alden Robbins, Robbins Lumber (U.S. Northeast and Lake States).
• Sean Peter McLaren, West Fraser (Canada West, Large).
• Brian K. Chaney, Weyerhaeuser (U.S. South, Large, filling vacant seat through December 31, 2026).

Newly appointed regional alternate members are:

• Mark Alan Richardson, The Westervelt Company (U.S. South alternate, initial term 2 years).
• Steven Hofer, Western Forest Products (U.S. West alternate, initial term 3 years).
• Thomas Alexander Mende, Binderholz Timber (Importer, initial term 4 years).
• Newly appointed public members are:
• Troy Harris, Jamestown (Public member).
• Derek Ratchford, SmartLam (Public member alternate).

“The Softwood Lumber Board applauds Secretary Rollins on her appointment of an accomplished group of directors who reflect the full scope of the softwood lumber industry,” said Cees de Jager, SLB president and CEO. “Their collective experience and regional insights will be invaluable as the SLB continues its work to strengthen and broaden demand for softwood lumber across the United States.” Cees added further.

The public member seat is designed to bring in an individual with expertise in architecture, engineering, construction, development, or related fields, offering a supply chain perspective to the Board. The newly appointed industry alternates will serve staggered terms, while the other appointees will begin three-year terms from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028.

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Tags: Appointment, construction, lumber board, lumber industry, softwood, USDA, west fraser