The Michigan Association of Timbermen

2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORT

And Awards Recognition

7350 M-123, Newberry, MI 49868

Phone: 906-293-3236; Fax: 906-293-5444 Website: www.timbermen.org

Email: timbermen1972@gmail.com

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2018 Logger of the Year

Harmon Logging, Inc.

The Michigan Association of Timbermen and the Michigan SFI Implementation Committee are pleased to announce Harmon Logging, Inc. as the recipient of our 2018 Logger of the Year.

As a 4th generation logger, Greg Harmon has a lifelong love of the industry. Greg graduated with a heavy equipment technology degree from Ferris State University and worked in the Oil field for two years. With logging in his blood, he came back to partner with his father, Chuck, in 1994. Having been raised in and around logging his entire life, he was engrained with a strong work ethic and love for the woods. Stewardship has always been a major part of Harmon Logging, Inc. Mary Harmon, Greg’s mother, led the Michigan Forest Resource Alliance in the 90’s with a drive to educate people on the facts about logging and forest management. In 2012 Greg bought out his parents after a decline in his father’s health. He implemented changes to increase efficiency and production with fewer employees due to lack of skilled labor in the industry. Greg has high expectations for both quality and production from his crews and has dedicated employees that understand these expectations.

Harmon Logging currently runs two harvesting crews with John Deere harvesters and forwarders and produces chips using a Morbark chipper and John Deere grapple. Greg’s son Kyle runs one of the harvesters and daughter Brooke runs one of the Forwarders along with operators Isaiah and Eric, while his wife Anne takes care of the books and finances for the company. Greg runs a John Deere buncher

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which, with Bluetooth, is now his mobile office.

Harmon Logging hauls the majority of their logs and chips using three Internationals operated by drivers Mike, Doug and Ryan with Nathan Hubbard Timber Transport helping with the overflow. With mill production expectations continually increasing, Harmon Logging is looking forward to the expanded opportunities that the industry is experiencing in Michigan.

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2018 Excellence in Trucking

Tuffy & Son, LLC

The Michigan Association of Timbermen would like to announce Tuffy & Son, LLC as the recipient of the Excellence in Trucking award for 2018.

Tuffy started driving truck in 1972 right out of high school. After marrying Jodee in 1975 he drove over the road until 1978, with the second child on the way, he started driving 4 axle trucks for Louisiana Pacific on Beaver Island and the eastern U.P. In the spring of 1980 L.P. closed in Newberry which led to a lay off. After a few months driving a log truck for someone else, he decided to start a logging crew. After 4 years of building that business along with help from Jodee managing the books and a home, he was producing enough wood to buy a truck of his own. He has been back in the driver’s seat ever since.

Along with driving truck full time for 35 years, he has found time to give back to the industry and community. 20+ years on the local school board, 10 years on the MAT board, 8 years on the Forest Insurance Center and Mauck Insurance Agency boards, 5 years on Loggers Insurance Agency board, 12 years on GLTPA board and 6 years as a county road commissioner.

Many trucks, many ups and downs, one wife, three kids and six grand kids have led to a very full life and career and he’d do it all over again.

When asked about the future of the business he said, “I’m 65, my son might want to think about buying a couple trucks”.

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2018 Excellence in Manufacturing

Biewer Sawmill, Inc.

The Michigan Association of Timbermen would like to announce Biewer Sawmill, Inc. located in McBain, Michigan as our 2018 Excellence in Manufacturing recipient.

Biewer Sawmill is the first sawmill in the Biewer Lumber family of companies built in 1984 by Richard Biewer. Biewer is a fourth-generation family owned business and is now led by Tim Biewer. Biewer Sawmill produces dimension lumber, mainly from red pine timber. The McBain sawmill recently expanded in 2018 with the addition of a new saw line and the addition of a continuous kiln to its operations. These improvements will increase production by more than 60 percent. This expansion was driven by increasing demand for softwood lumber in the Midwestern US. The sawmill now employs over 140 people at its McBain location and also has its own Forest Management Company working with landowners to ensure the sustainability of our resource.

Tim’s sons, Biewer’s fourth generation, are now actively involved with all aspects of Biewer Lumber and continue to push the company’s growth moving forward. Tim Biewer recognizes that people are the key to his company’s success and that his many long-term employees have led to Biewer’s achievements in the lumber business. Biewer does business with over 120 local log suppliers and truckers. The company also understands the value of these relationships and how we must all work together to succeed in the Forest Products business. Tim Biewer and his family see more growth on the horizon, and with over 600 employees company-wide, they are always looking for new ways to expand their business by building on its foundation of quality and relationships.

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2018 Friend of the Timbermen

Denise K. Pallarito

The Michigan Association of Timbermen would like to announce Denise K.

Pallarito as the recipient of the 2018 Friend of the Timbermen award.

Denise K. Pallarito is Chief Legislative Advisor to Majority Floor Leader Triston Cole Legislator for the 105th District. She began her state career when Majority Floor Leader Cole was sworn into office, January of 2015. Previously, Denise served as a Special Assistant to Congressman Dan Benishek who represented Michigan’s First Congressional District. In this position she mastered the art of navigating the Veterans Affairs system.

Denise has a passion for assisting the hard working people of Michigan by managing the bureaucratic governmental processes. In addition to caring for the people, Denise discovered she has a flair for crafting legislation that removes the burdens on business owners in our fine state. At the direction of Rep. Cole, She worked on legislation such as PA 17 of 2018, the permitting legislation and PA 35 of 2018, the movement of the King pin bill, as well as a number of other business friendly bills.

Denise is the mother of 3 daughters and wife to Otsego County Commissioner, Robert Pallarito. Her family resides in Waters, MI.

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2018 Birtcher Scholarship Awardees

Mikaela Muma & Trent Hibner

I am currently attending Gogebic Community College to earn my forestry technology degree. When I am not in class or working, I enjoy hanging out with friends, skiing, and being outside. I am a member of Gladwin County 4-H where I showing a steer each year. I also enjoy my summers at home in Gladwin working for the local DNR. I am looking forward to graduating next spring with my associate's degree and starting my career as a forester.

I am a fourth year forestry student at Michigan Technological University and will graduate in May. I will be starting my Master of Forestry degree in the fall of 2019. I am the vice president of the Michigan tech forestry club and have attend a variety of forestry meetings around the county. Over the past summers I have worked for the State of Michigan, a consulting forester, and Hibner and Son Forest Products. In my free time I enjoy hunting, fishing, and just being out in the woods.

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2018 Legislator of the Year

State Rep. Sara Cambensy

State Rep. Sara Cambensy is serving her second full term representing the 109th

House District, which comprises Alger, Luce and Schoolcraft counties and part of Marquette County. Rep. Cambensy previously served on the Agriculture, Local Government, and Natural Resources Committees.

Before serving in the Legislature, Rep. Cambensy worked for Marquette Public Schools as the Director of Adult Education, in addition to serving as a Marquette city commissioner from 2012 to 2017.

Rep. Cambensy graduated with a Bachelor’s in Education and a Master’s in Public Administration from Northern Michigan University where she was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Award for the MPA Program. She has also been working toward a Ph.D. in environmental and energy policy, focusing on water quality and energy reliability issues for the Great Lakes region.

In her spare time, Rep. Cambensy enjoys exploring the Upper Peninsula with her golden retriever, Izzy.

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We want to send out a great thank you and note of appreciation to our many yearly sponsors of the Michigan Association of Timbermen for 2019. Your willingness to provide financial support assures the continuance of many great projects that support the members.

THANK YOU 2019 TIMBERMEN YEARLY SPONSORS!