KFIA Meeting Pre-Registration as of 3.25.25
KFIA Annual Meeting
It Starts with a Seed - Celebrating 60 Years
April 1-3, 2025 - Hilton Lexington/Downtown
FRANKFORT, KY - The Kentucky Forest Industries Association (KFIA) recently completed a successful Annual Meeting in Lexington, Kentucky at the Hilton Lexington/Downtown on April 1-3, 2025. The meeting had great attendance of over 350 people and 38 exhibitors. The KFIA Annual Meeting serves as the premier event for the hardwood industry in Kentucky.
The meeting got underway on Tuesday, April 1 with the John C. Smith Memorial Golf Scramble where 65 participants played a round of golf and enjoyed a nice day on the greens at the popular University Club of Kentucky Golf Course, Lexington, KY. In the afternoon the KFIA Board of Directors took care of association business followed by a Welcome Reception with the exhibitors that was held in the evening.
On Wednesday morning Laura Stephenson, Dean, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture University of Kentucky welcomed everyone to Lexington Kentucky. KFIA Executive Director Bob Bauer followed with a state legislative and association update followed by Dana Lee Cole with the Hardwood Federation discussing federal issues in Washington DC over the past year from government funded projects to the tariffs currently affecting our industry. Long time member and past president Bill Steele provided a look back at how the Association got started and discussed several key milestones over the first 60 years. Dr. Jeff Stringer, University of Kentucky (retired) then gave an update on the state of the wood industry and how KFIA leadership and partnerships have made tremendous progress in the growth of the wood products industry in Kentucky. Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll from Heaven Hill Distillery and Dominic Stelzer with Independent Stave Company discussed the partnership with KFIA and the Kentucky Master Logger program that is educating our logging workforce and supporting the sustainability of white oak for the future.
The opening session was followed by the Kentucky Tree Farm Awards Luncheon with a special presentation for our Executive Director Bob Bauer, who will be retiring at the end of April. Long time friends and family of Bauer held the microphone for brief tales of his 46 years in the wood products industry and his 30 years at KFIA. The luncheon also provided an opportunity to honor individuals that help to make forestry and the wood industry a big success throughout the state. The following people were recognized for their contributions to forestry and the association in Kentucky:
Gary Kinnett, Kinnett Logging & Timber Appraisal, Russell Springs, KY – 2024 Logger of the Year
Mark & Mary Lee, Frenchburg, KY – 2024 Tree Farmer of the Year
Jeffrey F. Lewis, Independent Stave Company, Morehead, KY- 2024 Inspector of the Year
Dr. Jeff Stringer, University of Kentucky Department of Forestry, Lexington, KY – 2024 KFIA Member of the Year
KFIA also recognized the following people for their leadership and service to the KFIA Board of Directors:
Outgoing Board Members:
Brian Johnson, McCord Tie & Timber, Bon Aqua, TN
Justin Nichols, Benton Wood Products, Benton, KY
William “Bill” Perry, Powell Valley Millwork, Clay City, KY
New elected Directors:
Ben Bevins, Havco Wood Products, Arlington, KY
Joe Brown, Kingsford Mfg., Burnside, KY
William Larkey, Cumberland Cooperage, East Bernstadt, KY
Following the luncheon as tradition continues, everyone enjoyed the Robinson Lumber Co. / Houchens Insurance Group Hospitality with great fellowship and networking opportunities with fresh seafood and cocktails. The day ended with the Exhibitor Reception which included plenty to visit exhibitors and see some of the latest technology and services being offered to the wood industry.
Thursday morning the General Session opened with Kentucky Department of Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell and how he plans to continue the partnership with KFIA to advance our industry. and economic development related to agriculture. Additional speakers from the University of Kentucky discussed advancements in the ForestryWorks program which is making great strides as it moves forward to reach potential workers for the industry. Also discussed were Extension projects designed to improve utilization and marketing for hardwoods and funding for a Timber Bridge program at the University of Kentucky underway to supply timber bridges to the logging industry in Kentucky. Bauer also introduced the new KFIA Executive Director James Wright who will be assuming the position on May 1, 2025.
We are pleased to announce the Kentucky Log a Load for Kids Chapter, which benefits the Kentucky Children’s Hospital in Lexington, KY surpassed the $1million dollar mark at the meeting. All money raised by the wood products industry is designated to the KY Children’s Hospital whether it be in cash donations, endowments, event sponsorships, equipment to aid pediatric patients in their recovery process.
The meeting was a tremendous success with many positive comments and showed real excitement for the future of the wood industry. Those in attendance gained valuable information while having time to network with others in the hardwood industry from throughout the country. KFIA is pleased to announce that the 2026 Annual Meeting will be in Lexington, Kentucky at the Hilton Downtown on April 7-9, 2026.
KFIA is a trade association dedicated to serving and promoting the forest products industry of Kentucky. Founded in 1965, it has over 950 members in the areas of primary and secondary wood industry, supplier and service industries, wholesale, loggers, and landowners. For more information about the association contact Bob Bauer at 502/695-3979.
KFIA is a trade association dedicated to serving and promoting the forest products industry of Kentucky. Founded in 1965, it has over 950 members in the areas of primary and secondary wood industry, supplier and service industries, wholesale, loggers, and landowners. For more information about the association contact Bob Bauer at 502/695-3979.
Agenda
TUESDAY, APRIL 1
