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.

Mr Gu has served as the Secretary General of Chengdu Furniture Association since October 2001. In December 2005, the Chengdu Furniture Association was integrated into the Chengdu Furniture Industrial Chamber of Commerce, and served as the Secretary General until June 2017. In July 2017, he served as the Chairman of the Chengdu Furniture Industrial Chamber of Commerce until now.

Mr. Gu Jianxia studied furniture design in 1997 and he has been in the furniture industry for 25 years. After graduation, he successively engaged in design, production management, marketing and marketing director in Guangdong furniture enterprises. In 2010, he grasped the policy opportunity and established Jiangxi Free Kingdom Furniture Co., LTD. Now he is the chairman of Jiangxi Free Kingdom Furniture Co., LTD., the representative of Ganzhou People's Congress, the supervisor of Ganzhou "five types" government construction, the standing committee of Nankang People's Congress and the permanent honorary president of Nankang Furniture Association. He has won the Top 10 Economic Figures in Ganzhou, Excellent Builder of Home Furnishing Industry of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and established GuJianXia Furniture Crafting Skills Master Studio in Ganzhou in 2021.

Rupert Oliver is an independent forest products consultant and an internationally recognized authority on market trends, environmental issues, sustainable forest management and certification, particularly focusing on hardwoods. Rupert has a masters degree in forestry and has advised a wide range of government agencies and business associations both at international and national level during a career spanning over 30 years. Rupert is a popular speaker at wood forums and conferences all over the world and is a regular contributor to the AHEC convention.

Born in Taiwan but grew up in Canada, James completed his education and began his career in North America before moving to Shanghai where he has resided for many years. This experience gave him a global perspective and the ability to merge values from Western and Chinese cultures in his work.

Graduated with a master’s degree in architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design, James started his career believing that design has the power to transform people’s lives and the planet. This belief made him an enthusiastic advocator of sustainability and green architecture. He is the principal-in-charge of a number key Perkins&Will’s green projects in China, including the Shanghai Nature Museum (China Green III Star), and more recently the Duke Kunshan Campus Phase II which will have high LEED ratings. In addition, he is an active design jury, and a frequent lecturer on sustainability, including a recent talk in AIA's Fighting Climate Change Webinar, where he shared Perkins&Will latest push for timber and wood construction to fight climate change.

James believes that there is so much excitement in what we do as architects and designers. He feels thrilled and obligated to make the world a better place through knowledge, expertise, and passion. James is a speaker with a good sense of humor and down-to-earth attitude. He now lives with his wife, two girls and two cats.

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!