Turning the Page

?Although I don’t have as much time to do it as often as I would like, I enjoy reading.?I like current news events, historical accounts, biographies, and David Baldacci fiction.?One thing that anyone who enjoys reading realizes is you have to turn the page to see what happens next.?

Metaphorically, turning the page applies to life too.?Collins and I find ourselves at one of those moments where we have reached the end of one page and are ready to turn to the next.

?I have been in the hardwood business for 27 years.?I started with Koppers treating railroad ties in 1995 before moving to Coastal Lumber Company for the longest stint of my career.?In the 16 years with that company, I experienced highs and lows that accompany any business, but seem to have more prominent peaks and valleys in the hardwood lumber industry.?I learned how lumber is manufactured from the forest through the mill onto the green chain through kilns and out to customers.?I came to appreciate the uniqueness of the lumber business and fell in love with this industry and the people in it.?I came to Collins in 2016 voluntarily and, as many opportunities in this business arise, because of a reference from a customer that I had the good fortune of establishing a relationship and friendship with.?Collins is a great company, family owned, operated with integrity, compassion and an appreciation of conservation versus preservation.?Collins practices the proper use of the natural resources of the forests, rather than setting them aside for non-use.?It is a perfect example of the type of compromise that has become undervalued but desperately needed today in so many arenas.

?Collins’ value as a company in an industry I love is why it is with a heavy heart that I am leaving Collins and the hardwood lumber industry to pursue a new opportunity.?As both Collins and I turn the page, I want to thank the amazing people I have had the privilege to work with as fellow employees, customers and competitors.?I am fortunate to be able to reflect on my time in this industry and smile.?Of course, not every moment was great, but the positive far outweighs the negative, and I consider myself blessed by my time in this industry.?

?And Collins, as the great company they are, is more than ready to continue its legacy of excellence without me.?The crew that Jason Stanley, GM Collins-Kane, has put together and the emphasis they are putting toward optimizing the productivity and quality of the hardwood resource produced in Kane will keep Collins’ hardwood customers beyond satisfied.?And the team that supported me is more than ready to step up and maintain continuity for the hardwood customer base.

?My last day with Collins will be August 12, 2022.?Until then my contact info remains the same and Laurie Burt remains the transportation and sales support she has always been.?Stepping into the lead sales role initially will be Paul Eastman.?Paul is one of Collins’ stalwart employees.?He has supervised the dry end, shipping department, a dimension mill, sawmill and was a salesman prior to my coming on board.?This transition will ensure continuity and consistency for Collins’ valuable customer base.?Paul’s contact info is 814-366-1314 & [email protected].?I will begin working with Paul on this transition and he will be reaching out to our customers in due time.?

?Thank you for your support of Collins and me, and I look forward to crossing paths with many of you at some point as the next page is turned.