LMC’s Southern Pine & Treated Purchasing Manager, John Fisher, has joined Penn State’s BioRenewable Systems Advisory Committee (BRS Advisory Committee). The BRS Advisory Committee guides the continued development of the BioRenewable Systems undergraduate and graduate programs.
John will serve a three-year term on the BRS Committee and has a significant understanding of the committee’s importance as a Penn State Wood Products undergraduate alum himself. John says his education laid the groundwork for a comprehensive understanding of the LBM industry and that the current programs provide students the same knowledge today.
Programs like these can offer incredible value and longevity to the industry. As the LBM industry continues to feel the effects of pandemic-amplified labour shortages on jobsites, supply constraints from mills, and fluctuating demand from builders – attracting new talent to carry the industry into the next decades is a common topic of conversation.
“Enrollment in the BioRenewable Systems program has dropped over the last five years. It mirrors what we see in the lumber and building materials industry, particularly among our dealers. I am excited to dig into how we can market not just this major but the industry as a whole. There is a real opportunity to not just draw the younger generation into the program but to bring in people from diverse backgrounds.”
Fellow board members come from industry heavy weights from all corners of the bio renewable market, including Kubota, Husqvarna, and John Deere.
John follows in the footsteps of several previous LMC employees who served on the committee, including Vern Dando, Vice President of Panels, Special Woods, & Logistics, who had multiple terms. LMC’s continued involvement, via John’s participation, brings the latest research and innovation to the LMC dealer network.
“Both the Penn State program professors and the other board members are really plugged into our industry,” John said. “The professors are doing research and consulting work and winning awards doing it. “LMC’s participation on the board gives us and our members access to the latest information coming out of the field.”
