Collaboration Is Key: Allen Whitesell Of Troy Lumber.pdf

Allen Whitesell, past Board President and current Chairman of the Board for the NCFA (North Carolina Forestry Association), shares his journey and insights in this interview.

About Allen and Troy Lumber:
- Founded in 1945 by Frederick Leslie Taylor Sr., Troy Lumber Sales Corporation became a family affair with Allen's grandfather, father, and mother all involved.
- Today, Troy Lumber manufactures 3.3 million board feet of finished lumber weekly, primarily for treaters and truss plants.

Joining the NCFA:
- Allen joined the NCFA in 2015, continuing a family legacy as his father and grandfather were members since 1999.
- His primary reason for joining is to promote the NCFA's mission: ensuring healthy, productive, and sustainable forests.

Challenges and Priorities:
- Labor Shortage: The biggest issue facing Troy Lumber is finding skilled labor.
- Sustainability Practices: They manage their timberlands for multiple uses, including wildlife, recreation, and timber production.
- Best Management Practices: Troy Lumber limits annual allowable harvests, uses genetically superior seedlings, and implements best management practices to ensure sustainable forests.
- Community Involvement: The company supports local businesses, schools, law enforcement, and charitable organizations, emphasizing good citizenship in their community.

Personal Reflection:
- Allen shares an interesting side story of Troy Lumber's mill burning down during Hurricane Fran in 1996, highlighting the support they received from Uwharrie Lumber during the rebuilding process.