On October 29, the West Virginia Forestry Association installed our new Board members and elected officers. The officers are President Ed Kraynok, of Coastal Timberlands Company, First Vice President Greg Wilhelm, of The Forestland Group, Second Vice President Mark Haddix, of Farm Credit, and Secretary/Treasurer Travis Facemyer, of Facemyer Lumber Company.

Because Travis Bollard, of Allegheny Wood Products, is unable to serve on the Board - since he is moving to another region of the country - the Board elected Curt Hassler, of BalkenTier Consulting, as his replacement. Otherwise, Darwin Bergdoll, of Grant County Mulch, Dane Moore, of West Virginia Split Rail, Daniel Hoke, of Plum Creek, John Holsteine, of Holsteine Consulting, Travis Facemyerx, of Facemyer Lumber Company, Dan Hackett, of Coastal Timberlands Company and Alan Kennedy, of Columbia Forest Products all took office on the 29th.

We wish to thank Tom Crickenberger, of WestRock, Alan Miller, retired, Joe Newlon, of Western Pocahontas Properties and Mark Shreve, of Weyerhaeuser, having served WVFA well for these last three years, during such an important time of transition for the Association.

* Combination of two industry leaders to create a $23 billion timber REIT with more than 13 million acres of the most productive and diverse timberland in the U.S.
* All-stock transaction followed by $2.5 billion post-closing share repurchase.
* Total annual cost synergies of $100 million.
* Funds Available for Distribution per share accretion in the first full year.
* Rick R. Holley to be non-executive chairman; Doyle R. Simons to be president and CEO.
* Weyerhaeuser to review strategic alternative for its Cellulose Fibers business, as announced in separate news release.

On Friday, WVFA Area 2 held a meeting at the Landes Rurtian, near Petersburg. There were 66 in attendance to hear elected officials and WVFA staff (pictured left to right, WV Agriculture Commissioner Walt Helmick, Del. Isaac Sponaugle, Del. Allen Evans, Frank Stewart (WVFA staff) and Sen. Dave Sypolt) speak on issues of importance for the 2016 legislative session including taxes, loggers' workers compensation, Interstate truck weights and legal reform.

We look forward to seeing you at an Area meeting, near you:
Area 1 -- Nov. 10 -- 6:00 p.m. -- Copper House Grill, Fairmont
Area 3 -- Nov. 19 -- 5:30 p.m. -- 1863 Grill & Restaurant, Elkins
Area 4 -- Dec. 02 -- 6:00 p.m. -- Ryan's Restaurant, Beckley
Area 5 -- Nov. 12 -- 6:00 p.m. -- Buffalo Wild Wings, Charleston
Area 6 -- Jan. 07 -- 5:00 p.m. -- 4-H Camp Grounds, Wood County

On Friday, November 13, 2015, at the The Blennerhassett Hotel located at 320 Market Street in Parkersburg, WV 26101, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Lunch included) meet with Enybe Diaz and Caitlin Ashley from the West Virginia Development Office, the U.S. Commercial Service and others to learn about next year’s export events, resources and the Step Grant just received by the State of West Virginia to help your business reach new markets! -- Free Admission – Please RSVP at Enybe.Diaz@wv.gov or 304-957-2018.

Join the West Virginia District Export Council Facebook page to learn more about upcoming events and export news you can use at www.facebook.com/wvexports.