NRLA elects new chair
The Northeastern Retail Lumber Association (NRLA) announced that Doug Ford, of Curtis Lumber Company, has been elected as its new chair.
Ford was selected during the NRLA’s annual business meeting on Dec. 7, which coincided with the LBM Expo held at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.
Ford assumes the role following the two-year tenure of Nick Kuiken from Kuiken Bros. Inc. as chair.
As a seasoned member of the NRLA and the Lumber and Building Material Dealers Foundation (LBMDF), Doug Ford brings a wealth of experience and understanding of the industry to his new leadership position, the association said.
Ford is vice president of sales and purchasing at Curtis Lumber, based in Ballston Spa, New York. The new chair has been with Curtis Lumber since 1996, starting his run at the company as general manager.
During Ford's inauguration as chair, Rich Keating of Curtis Lumber Company commended Ford, expressing his sincere belief that he is the perfect person for the position. Keating highlighted Ford's participation, engagement, and numerous contributions to the NRLA while on the executive committee.
"It is an honor and a pleasure to serve as your NRLA Chair for the next two years,” Ford said. “I have had an amazing career, and I’m looking forward to giving back to an industry that has given so much to me and my family. I would like to extend a special thank you to the Curtis family and the entire Curtis Lumber organization for allowing me this opportunity to serve as your chair."
Ford added, “I would also like to acknowledge Nick Kuiken for his leadership over the past two years and for positioning this organization for continued growth and service to its membership."
Rita Ferris, president of the NRLA, expressed gratitude to outgoing chair Nick Kuiken.
“Nick, alongside the executive committee and board of directors, has been a driving force behind NRLA’s extraordinary journey over the past two years,” Ferris said. “His dedication to the prosperity of the NRLA will be a legacy for future generations. Combined with this year's record-breaking education initiatives, the expansion of our federal lobbying presence through the American Building Materials Alliance (ABMA), and a steady membership, the NRLA is noticeably stronger.”
In a statement, Nick Kuiken remarked, "While my term may be ending, my commitment to our industry and this mission remains steadfast. I am confident this association is well positioned to thrive in the future, thanks to the collective efforts of our exceptional team and under the leadership of incoming Chair Doug Ford, who will continue a deep-rooted dedication to our LBM industry."
