The National Wooden Pallet and Container Association appointed Brent J. McClendon as new president and CEO

Dec 12, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. The National Wooden Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA) announced that Brent J. McClendon, CAE, Executive Vice President (EVP) of the International Wood Products Association (IWPA), has been selected as the new president and CEO of the NWPCA. Brent replaces Bruce N. Scholnick who died from complications of cancer in July, as the NWPCA said in the press release received by Lesprom Network. Brent McClendon has been the EVP for IWPA since 2003. IWPA has more than 220 member companies and trade organizations engaged in the import/export of hardwoods and softwoods in more than 30 nations. As EVP, Brent advocated the industry's view on laws and regulations with U.S. and international policymakers. He built and managed large coalitions to advance workable solutions to the complex environmental issues involved in the Lacey Act. Brent also effectively represented members' interests as spokesperson with national media. Brent McClendon has spent the past 22 years in the forest products industry with a variety of work experience in the private, public and non-profit sectors. He's worked as a field forester for a state agency, as a hardwood veneer sales manager responsible for $35 million in international and domestic sales, and in government and public affairs, lobbying in Washington for multiple domestic trade associations, including the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association and the Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association. Brent currently serves as a security-cleared advisor to several Department of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative advisory committees and is the current co-chair of the International Tropical Timber Organization's Trade Advisory Group. "NWPCA is perfectly positioned for growth, with a strong array of business products and membership services that are enhanced with outstanding staff and a strong and committed volunteer leadership," Brent commented. "I'm honored and excited to help lead this association as we tackle the challenges ahead. The executive search committee and I immediately connected as we're both focused on expanding business innovation and delivering exceptional customer service." "We were impressed with several candidates, but Brent's long career in the wood products industry put him at the top of an exceptional slate of contenders," said James Ruder, NWPCA Chairman of the Board and a member of the executive search team. "We also felt his experience working for a hardwood veneer manufacturer gave him real-world experience that would bring a distinctive outlook to his position at the association." Joe O'Brien, Chairman of the Executive Search team and incoming Chairman of the Board said, "I was worried that finding a person with the experience and ability to lead the association through the sizable changes and challenges facing our industry was going to be impossible and that in the end we would have to 'settle'. But that wasn't the case at all. I was greatly impressed with the caliber of the candidates and in Brent I believe we found an extraordinary fit both in terms of experience and personality." Brent McClendon will begin his tenure with NWPCA on February 1. In the meantime, he will be in frequent communication with Interim President Sam McAdow to assure a smooth transition, and will meet periodically with NWPCA staff. The NWPCA is the largest organization of wood packaging professionals in the world. Located in Alexandria, Va., NWPCA is an international trade association with more than 700 company members in 28 countries who manufacturer, repair and distribute pallets, containers and reels or supply products and services to the industry.