International Wood Products Distinguished Service Award Presented Thomas E. Wilson (International Specialties, Inc.), Recipient

Furniture World Magazine

Thomas E. Wilson was honored recently by the International Wood Products Association (IWPA). He was presented during World of Wood 2001, the group's 45th Annual Convention & 13th International Forest Products Exhibition, in Puerto Rico with the organization's prestigious Distinguished Service Award in appreciation of his tireless efforts and dedication to the Association and the industry. His involvement in IWPA has helped the organization to gain the recognition it has today as spokesgroup for the imported wood products industry. Wilson has been involved in the wood product industry for over 30 years. He graduated from Marist College (1971) with a BA in Economics (international emphasis) and received an MBA in International Finance from Adelphi University. Tom 's previous work includes Manager, Price and Pierce International, USA Timber Office; Salesman/Vice President of Newton International Corporation; and Assistant Manager of Macrose Lumber. In 1982, Wilson founded International Specialties, Inc. (Germantown,TN), importer of wood and solid wood parts sourced primarily from South America and Asia, and has since served as President. The Company has been a member of IWPA since 1984. Wilson is a highly respected leader in the international wood products industry. He recognizes the value of associations, and has always found time to lend his leadership abilities to support IWPA's programs. Having the foresight to understand the value of setting forth the future direction of an association through perception of current and evolving challenges to the industry environment, Tom initiated the IWPA Long Range Plan Committee under his tenure as President in 1992/1993. The Committee is still active today with the mandate to continuously review the Association's direction, and to develop a long-term strategic plan that allows the Association to be more effective and aggressive on its members' behalf. In addition to his term as IWPA President, Wilson has served as Chairman for numerous Association Committees including: Lumber, Lumber Products, Transportation, Market Research and Membership. Tom has been an active participant on IWPA's Board of Directors since 1988. He continues to represent industry through participation in a number of industry trade groups. Wilson is also a member of the Board of the Tropical Forest Management Trust and CADEFOR (Amazonian Center for Sustainable Enterprise Development), is a member of the National Hardwood Lumber Association, and a member and past Vice President of the Memphis Lumbermen's Club. Also a strong advocate for sustainable forest management, Tom has dedicated a great deal of time speaking at numerous forums addressing the importance of sustainable forest management and industry's positive role in the forests. Wilson has in the past, and today represents industry on IWPA's behalf at international levels through active participation as industry Advisor to the U.S. government delegation to the ITTO (International Tropical Timber Organization). The International Wood Products Association is the only group organized in the United States to represent the interests of companies active in the import of all wood and wood products. Membership also includes companies with interests allied to the trade (including manufacturers, sales representatives, steamship lines, customs brokers, and port authorities), overseas producers and exporters of wood products to the U.S., and the major organizations to which these producers belong. The IWPA Distinguished Awards Program recognizes and honors leaders who in their careers have made outstanding contributions to their Association and to the industry. e-mail: info@iwpawood.org&nbs