Logger of the Year’ credits team effort
PHILOMATH — When he talks about being named the state’s “Logger of the Year” by the Associated Oregon Loggers, Lee Miller talks in terms of “we”:
“This award isn’t about me. It’s about my guys,” said Miller, 55, of Philomath. “Without them, I’d be a broke logger.”
Miller, the owner of Miller Timber Services in Philomath, was recognized at the 41-year-old trade association’s annual convention this past month because of his exceptional work and leadership in the industry.
“It’s simply a recognition of performance above and beyond what you’d expect a small business person to do,” said AOL executive vice president Jim Geisinger.
Miller, an active member of the logging association, is on its board of directors for the National Wildfire Suppression Association. He also is a member of the Forest Research Lab Advisory Committee at Oregon State University College of Forestry.
Outstanding Alumnus Award Recipients
Steve Kelley, Professor and Head of the Department of Forest Biomaterials, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. Representing the Wood Science & Engineering Department, Dr. Kelley graduated from OSU in 1979, with a B.S. degree in Forest Products.
Paige Fischer, Research Social Scientist, Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Center, Pacific Northwest Research Station, U. S. Forest Service, Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Corvallis, OR. Representing the Forest Ecosystems and Society Department, Dr. Fischer received M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from OSU's College of Forestry.
Lee Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Miller Timber Services, Philomath, OR. Representing the Forest Engineering, Resources and Management Department, Lee Miller received a B.S. degree in Forest Engineering in 1980.
Loggers’ Success Tied to Embracing
Technology and Diversifying Operations in 2011
While economic challenges are not new to the logging industry, logging communities in the United States have been particularly hard hit over the past three years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of loggers employed in the U.S.dropped from approximately 59,000 to 47,000 between December 2007 andDecember 2010 — a workforce reduction of twenty percent. Job losses have slowed in recent months, but the industry remains at extraordinarily low levels of employment. The prospects for recovery may well hinge on the industrylearning from the past and adopting new operations strategies going forward.
For North American logging contractors who have survived the challengesof the recession, two specific strategies can help make the most of every business opportunity in 2011: embracing information technology and diversifyingtheir operations.
Embrace Technology to Maximize Performance
The ongoing mantra for loggers has been to sustain operational efficiency with fewer resources. Technology systems that monitor equipment operationand performance are key to achieving efficiency.