Three members of the wood products industry with close ties to the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America were among those honored in this year’s 40 Under 40 awards program presented by Woodworking Network.

They include:

• Luke Barnett, founder and owner of the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute based in Adrian, MI.  The institute is an EDUcation member of the WCA.
• Alex Staalner of Brookhuis America, a supplier of wood moisture meters based in Suwanee, GA. Brookhuis is a Silver sponsor of the WCA.
• Tara Whitlock of Häfele America, a supplier of hardware and accessories for cabinets and furniture, of Archdale, NC. Häfele is a Gold sponsor of the WCA.

The WCA joins in celebrating the achievements of these and the other deserving members of Woodworking Network’s 40 Under 40 class of 2021.

The 2021 honorees will be celebrated at Woodworking Network’s Leadership Reception on July 19 during the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas. They will be profiled in the October 2021 issue of FDMC magazine.

Learn more.

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa – Honorees of the 2021 Wood Industry 40 Under 40 have been announced by Woodworking Network. This year marks the sixth annual awarding of the 40 Under 40, which celebrates the next generation of industry professionals who are making an impact on wood products manufacturing in North America.

Those selected have been recognized by their peers for their achievements and innovations in the categories of: productivity, profitability, social good, ingenuity, peer inspiration, product development, organizational leadership, or another area. A total of 151 submissions were received and evaluated by a team of Woodworking Network editors.

“It’s always hard to narrow down the list to 40 honorees and 2021’s entries were no exception.  Among the entrants are highly successful entrepreneurs, marketing specialists, extraordinary woodworkers, educators and almost-rookie team members,” said Harry Urban, FDMC publisher. “While dealing with COVID personally and professionally, this year’s nominees have successfully navigated supply chain volatility, led and motivated team members and contributed to their communities.  Cheers for the Class of 2021!”

“It is our distinct pleasure to again recognize some of the best and brightest contributors to wood products manufacturing in North America with our sixth annual class of 40 Under 40 honorees. This year’s inductees join the 200 alums from prior years, forming a group of enterprising individuals destined to advance our industry to meet the everchanging challenges of the future,” said Tim Fixmer, CEO of CCI Media, the parent of Woodworking Network.

“Please join us in congratulating each of them and celebrating their commitment to excellence. We also hope that many of you will take the opportunity to meet some of this stellar group at the Executive Briefing Conference in September at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs,” he added.

This year marks Woodworking Network’s sixth annual awarding of the 40 Under 40, which celebrates industry professionals who are making an impact at their jobs, in the community, and on the North American wood products manufacturing industry. Through innovation, motivation or inspiration, honorees are contributing in the areas of productivity, profitability, social good (locally or globally), ingenuity, innovation, peer inspiration, product development, organizational leadership, or another facet.

Entries were solicited in print, email and online at WoodworkingNetwork.com, with a total of 151 nominations submitted in 2021. The candidates were judged by a team of editors, and the votes tallied.

The 2021 honorees will be profiled on WoodworkingNetwork.com and in the October issue of FDMC magazine. They will also be recognized at industry events including the Leadership Reception, July 19, the day prior to the AWFS Fair, and a reception at the Executive Briefing Conference, Sept. 8-10, at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado; 2021 honorees also will receive a complimentary registration to EBC.