Speakers' Biography

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.

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.

Kinney obtained his BA in Interior Design from Demonfort University, UK. Prior to returning to Hong Kong and founding KCA, he spent two years working in Manchester. Kinney is the former chairman of the Hong Kong Interior Design Association and the former director of the Hong Kong Design Centre. He strives to increase public awareness of interior design as well as the development of the creative industry in Hong Kong.

His projects have won numbers of international awards, including A'Design Award in 2015; iF Communication Design Award in 2014 and 2009; JCD Award 2014, Gold Key Award 2013, Best of the Year Honoree 2012; Hong Kong Ten Outstanding Designers Award in 2012; Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards in 2001, and for many times awarded as one of the Best Interior Designer Worldwide in Andrew Martin International Awards.

David Venables has a specialized background in hardwood, with a BSc in Timber Technology and more than 20 years experience in the international marketing of hardwood products. He is responsible for AHEC promotional and marketing programmes in Europe. David is an acknowledged expert on wood markets and the uses and applications of hardwood species and products. He has developed a number of technical publications for AHEC, including the "Guide to American Hardwoods". He is an experienced speaker, frequently making presentations on American hardwoods and other wood related topics, to trade, manufacturing and architectural audiences worldwide.

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!