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Podcast

The Roots & Reflections podcast features first cuts and fascinating stories from the hardwood industry. Join host and Heartwood Brands Founder, Ben Peach, as he uncovers the unique journeys of those shaping the hardwood lumber industry. From origin stories to business insights, each episode delves into the lives and lessons of industry pioneers. It's more than just lumber—it's about the people and passions that define our industry.

Stories of Sawdust

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Horsepower to Hardwoods
Episode #001

Horsepower to Hardwoods

February 1, 2024 | 36 min

FEATURING

On this episode of the Roots & Reflections podcast, we sit down with the President & CEO of Frank Miller Lumber, Steve James. Family-owned for 120 years, Frank Miller Lumber is among the world’s largest quarter sawn hardwood lumber producers. Our conversation touches on Steve’s early career with General Motors, making the jump to the hardwood industry, and how his leadership philosophy helped reshape the culture at Frank Miller Lumber.

Steve James

President & CEO, Frank Miller Lumber

Tropical Trailblazers
Episode #002

Tropical Trailblazers

February 13, 2024 | 34 min

FEATURING

On this special IHLA edition of the Roots & Reflections podcast, we chat with the Co-Founder, and current Vice President of Tropical Forest Products, Jordan Dery. Jordan, along with his twin brother Justin, and good friend Jassi founded Tropical Forest Products in 2017 at the age of 24. In the relatively short time since their launch, Jordan and his team have grown Tropical Forest Products into a thriving business with multiple locations in the United States and Canada. Our conversation touches on the early days of Tropical Forest Products around the family’s kitchen table, bringing on strategic partners, and the parallel growth of Tropical Forest Products as a business and Jordan as an entrepreneur.

Jordan Dery

Co-Founder, Tropical Forest Products

The eLIMBS Evolution
Episode #003

The eLIMBS Evolution

March 14, 2024 | 58 min

FEATURING

On this episode of the Roots & Reflections podcast, we sit down with eLIMBS founder, Phil Coyner. eLIMBS, which has since been acquired by DMSi, was one of the industry leading providers of hardwood lumber inventory management software solutions. Over the course of nearly 18 years, Phil and his Wife, Amy built a business that changed the way the hardwood industry looked at software.

Phil Coyner

Founder, eLIMBS

Making the Grade
Episode #004

Making the Grade

April 3, 2024 | 81 min

FEATURING

On this episode of the Roots & Reflections podcast, we sit down with NHLA’s Chief Inspector, Dana Spessert. As a third generation lumberman who grew up around his family’s sawmill in West Virginia, Dana got his first taste of the lumber business at age three and never looked back.

Our conversation digs into Dana’s childhood and early career, the countless experiences and lessons that led him to his current role, the many hats he wears with NHLA, and the advice he would give to the next generation of young men and women in the industry.

Dana Spessert

Chief Inspector, NHLA

Episodes

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