Dec 10, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. The organizing members of the American Wood Council (AWC) approved the launch of their new coalition to provide an organizational structure for wood products companies and associations to work together to advance industry interests on building codes and standards, green building policy issues, and federal and state environmental regulations affecting manufacturers. The Coalition will officially begin on January 1, 2010, as The Hardwood Market Report said. "We are eager to get to work on behalf of the expanded AWC membership," said AWC's Robert Glowinski. "The new Coalition will ensure that wood products manufacturers have a broadly-supported, unified, and powerful voice at the table so that we can secure a strong future for the wood products industry in the face of an onslaught of upcoming challenges." AWC members elected new Officers of the Council, who will provide day-to-day operating guidance and strategic direction for the Oversight Board. The Board, comprised of all Coalition members, will have ultimate authority for the governance and management of the Coalition's direction and finances. The Coalition began forming in August and already has 47 supporting members representing 58% of U.S. lumber production, 71% of structural panel production, 62% of engineered wood products, and strong representation from all Canadian wood products.