BTB 50: SOUTHEASTERN WOOD PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION
Published on: Saturday 15th June 2019
Waycross, Georgia, USA
March 7-9th, 2019
The Southeastern Wood Producers Association meeting (SWPA) was held this year at the Okefenokee Fairgrounds in Waycross, Georgia. The SWPA was formed in 1990. Up until this year, the SWPA has given out the Logger of the Year Award. The Logger of the Year award was based on achievements outside of the day to day business focusing on industry and community involvement, as well as individual efforts in promoting timber harvesting and its benefits to the economy and environment.
In an effort to educate the younger generation about the reasons the SWPA was formed, the SWPA has replaced the Logger of the Year award with the Pioneer Award. The first ever Pioneer Award was presented to Charles Johns of Johns & Conner Logging Inc. This award recognizes the early efforts of the SWPA founding fathers. The award offers a history lesson of sorts to the younger generation, demonstrating the need for industry involvement and the formation of new leadership as the SWPA moves forward.

L-R: Grant Somerville, president of Tigercat Industries; Charles Johns, Johns & Conner Logging Inc.; Lena Johns, wife of Charles; Kevin Selby, Tigercat sales manager, USA; Don Snively, Tigercat district manager, USA.