Hardwood Floors December 2024/January 2025

By Reid Lambright

Beyond mentorship, the ELC also offers amazing opportunities to build relationships with peers who are equally passionate about the industry. These connections have expanded my professional network and deepened my understanding of the different facets of our trade. Whether it’s collaborating on NWFA initiatives, discussing industry trends, or brainstorming ways to innovate, these relationships have been invaluable. WHAT MAKES A GREAT ELC MEMBER? The ELC's success hinges on its members’ active participation and enthusiasm. The best members of the ELC are those who: • Take initiative: They seek out opportunities to contribute to NWFA initiatives, whether through participating in committees, helping organize events, or sharing their insights with peers. • Engage in mentorship: They understand the importance of mentorship for their growth and the development of others. These members actively seek guidance from industry leaders while mentoring those newer to the field. • Foster collaboration: Collaboration is key to innovation in our industry. ELC members excel when they work together with peers and colleagues, bringing fresh ideas and diverse perspectives to the table. • Advocate for the industry: The best members are passionate ambassadors for both the ELC and the NWFA, sharing their experiences and promoting the importance of industry involvement among their networks. • Embrace lifelong learning: Hardwood flooring is a craft rooted in tradition, but it is also a field that continues to evolve with advancements in technology and design. The most successful ELC members are those who are committed to continuous learning and remain open to new ideas and innovations. SHAPING THE FUTURE TOGETHER As the hardwood flooring industry evolves, so must our leadership. The Emerging Leaders Council plays a critical role in preparing young professionals for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. By fostering leadership skills, encouraging innovation, and building strong relationships within the industry, the ELC is helping to secure a bright future for hardwood flooring. If you’re a young professional in the wood flooring industry and are looking for opportunities to grow, connect, and lead, I encourage you to consider applying for the NWFA Emerging Leaders Council. Not only will you gain access to valuable resources and mentorship, but you’ll also become part of a community shaping our industry's future – one plank at a time. Together, we can ensure that the wood flooring industry remains vibrant, innovative, and resilient for future generations. Reid Lambright is chair of the NWFA Emerging Leaders Council and president of Lambright Flooring in Charlotte, Michigan. He can be reached at reid@lambrightflooring.com.

NWFA WOOD STUDIES SCHOLARSHIP HIGHLIGHT

Aidan Eckles Westminster, Maryland

Aidan Schleutermann Woodstock, Illinois The NWFA Education & Research Foundation (NERF) Wood Studies Scholarship promotes the post-secondary study of forestry and forestry-related sciences. This nonrenewable scholarship for $1,000 each is awarded to one high school senior and one current college student who will study forestry to advance and improve forestry practices for generations to come. This year’s high school scholarship recipient, Aidan Eckles, will attend the University of Maine in Orono, Maine, majoring in forestry.

Aidan Eckles

“The biggest benefit of forestry for the wood flooring industry is sustainable forests. Foresters need to monitor the forests, ensuring the planting of new trees, and preventing the spreading of invasive species,” says Eckles. The college student scholarship recipient is Aidan Schleutermann. He majors in forest management at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. “Through sustainable resource management, quality assurance, innovation, environmental stewardship, and economic development, forestry contributes to the success of the wood flooring sector,” says Schleutermann. NERF was established to provide industry research and educate future generations of wood flooring professionals. Thanks to the generosity of its members, NWFA has conducted such research as the Life Cycle Analysis of Wood Flooring and awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships since its creation. Aidan Schleutermann

To learn more about this scholarship opportunity and others offered, visit NWFA.ORG/SCHOLARSHIPS

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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