Michael Snow has been the Executive Director of the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) since 1999, and was previously AHEC's Program Manager with primary responsibilities of Europe, Southeast Asia and Greater China programs.

Prior to joining AHEC, Michael spent six years in Spain teaching International Economics in English and Spanish for a joint University of Wisconsin / University of Seville program, and worked as a consultant on international education outreach programs for the National Geographic Society and the Smithsonian Associates.

Michael holds a Master Degree in International Economics from the George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Developmental Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Scott is currently V.P. of International Sales for Northland Forest Products Inc. located in Kingston, New Hampshire. Scott is in his tenth year at Northland Forest Products and has nearly twenty years of industry experience.

In addition to being the current Chairman of AHEC, Scott also serves the industry on the regional level. He is the current Chair of the Keystone Wood Products Association which supports the forest products industry in eleven counties in Central Pennsylvania through education, promotion and workforce development.

He is a 1992 graduate of Bucknell University, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in German with a minor in International Relations.

Silas Chiow has served as SOM China Director since 2003. In this capacity, he is responsible for steering the firm’s overall strategic objectives in the region in close coordination with U.S.- based managing and design partners. Chiow draws on more than 25 years of experience as an architect, urban planner and project manager to help clients successfully define their goals and requirements for projects ranging from large-scale master plans and mixed-use districts, to high performance buildings in hospitality, cultural and education sectors. As the firm’s chief representative in the region, Chiow is also a proponent for innovative and sustainable design solutions that appropriately address the unique challenges of each site, and deliver long-term value to its surroundings.

Scott is a Professor and Wood Products Extension Specialist in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin. He earned his Ph.D. in Forest Products at Virginia Tech, a M.S. in Forest Products from the University of Minnesota, and a B.S. in Forest Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Scott works closely with the wood products industry in Wisconsin and neighboring states. His current projects focus on forest products markets, wood product life-cycle analysis, and wood manufacturing process improvement; all strategies for remaining competitive within a global forest products marketplace. Scott has also worked closely with the American Hardwood Export Council to promote American hardwoods around the world.

Prof. Fong is a registered Professional Interior Designer of IIDA (U.S.A), Chartered Society of Designer (UK) and member of AIA (USA) He was elected as the Chairman of the Hong Kong Interior Design Association from 1993-1995.

During his 30 more years of practice, he completed more than 1,000 major projects located in Mainland China, London, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and USA, and receiving more than 100 design awards.

In addition Mr. Fong lectured at the Hong Kong University and The Tsing Hua University in Bejing China. He also sat on the judging panel for the Asia Pacific Interior Design Award competition and the examination panels for various design institutes. Presently Mr. Fong is the Professor of The China Academy of Art in Hangzhou China, rating the best art academy in China. At 2005 he established the “Most Original Design Award- Patrick Fong” in China to encourage the young designer on creative thinking.

Judd Johnson is Managing Editor for Hardwood Market Report, the industry’s leading publisher of North American hardwood pricing and market information. Hardwood Market Report was established in 1922. Judd has extensive experience in the hardwood industry. Having worked summers during college years for a consulting forester and then completing the NHLA Inspection Training School, Judd began his career in the hardwood industry in 1976 as a lumber inspector. From this beginning, his work experience encompasses primary manufacturing, processing and sales of hardwoods, and secondary manufacturing of hardwood dimension, components, furniture, and flooring. Prior to joining Hardwood Market Report in 1994, Judd was Plant Manager for DeSoto Hardwood Flooring.

Dana Spessert has served as the Chief Inspector of the National Hardwood Lumber Association since September 2010 where his responsibilities range from managing a staff of 7 inspectors to rules interpretations. Dana has travelled to over 30 countries teaching and representing the NHLA hardwood lumber inspection rules. He began his career of choice on a family owned sawmill and has been an inspector of hardwood lumber for over 30 years. His experience in the hardwood industry far exceeds his years!