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.

John Kelly Furniture was founded in 1994 by John Kelly, a licensed architect who has been designing and producing architectural projects and home furnishings since 1987. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Master of Architecture [1989], and a Bachelor of Arts in Design [1985].

Since 1989, he has lived in New York City. Over the past twenty-five years, John has designed a broad range of products, including indoor and outdoor furniture; upholstery; carpets; lighting and accessories.

John Kelly Furniture is a design company. In addition to his own signature collections; John Kelly has created and licensed designs to furniture brands in North America, Europe and Asia over the past twenty years. Notable private label customers include Calvin Klein [US]; Sable Island [UK]; Starbay [France]; Woven + [Netherlands]; Hinoki Kagu [Japan]; Inart [Korea]; Maiori [Hong Kong]; Koda [Singapore]; Kian [Malaysia]; Paiza Living [China]; and Wise-Wise [Japan].

In recognition of his innovative designs, John has received favorable attention from around the world; and has been acknowledged by design editors and critics with numerous awards in the United States, Europe and Asia.

For the past two years, John Kelly has been engaged by Kaiser, one of the largest furniture factories in Vietnam as their Director of Hospitality. As such, he oversees the development and management of all hospitality and contract projects and is responsible for all phases of project development; including design, marketing, costing, sourcing, sampling, drawing and finish development, production, delivery and installation. Serving as the primary interface between the factory and the architects, designers, property owners, and purchasing agents, John is responsible for the realization of all design intent.

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!