The New York Long Island Lumber Association (NYLILA) held its annual meeting and social event on Friday, October 13, at Topgolf in Holtsville, N.Y. NYLILA combined a fun event with their business meeting, which included the election of officers.
For two industry veterans, Friday the 13th was a lucky day. NYLILA honored Mike Hubbard of Speonk Lumber as its 2023 Lumber Person of the Year, and his daughter Leigh Anne delivered a moving speech. Margaurette Criscione of Boise Cascade was the recipient of the Industry Achievement Award.
1. Margaurette Criscione and her family. 2. NRLA President Rita Ferris, Industry Achievement Award Winner Margaurette Criscione (Boise Cascade), and NRLA Chair Nick Kuiken (Kuiken Bros.). 3. NRLA Chair Nick Kuiken with Lumber Person of the Year Mike Hubbard (Speonk Lumber). 4. Mike Hubbard and his family.
Click to Read Mike Hubbard’s Full Biography
NYLILA Lumber Person of the Year: Mike Hubbard, Speonk Lumber Corp.
Family businesses are nothing out of the ordinary in the lumber industry, and Speonk Lumber Corp. is an example of that, passing through three generations of ownership from founders Ed and Stanley “Rush” Wilczewski to Rush’s nephew Dennis Smith and his wife Christine to their son Shane Smith, the current owner. But Speonk is also an example of how there can be multiple layers to the concept of a “family” business.
Take Mike Hubbard. He’s been with Speonk for nearly 30 years. Before him, his father-in-law worked for the Wilczewski brothers. Also, Mike’s father worked for Smitty’s Home Center (previously an extension of Speonk) for five years during his retirement, and both his wife and mother-in-law worked for the Smiths. Even Mike’s son drove a millwork truck for Speonk for a few years in his early twenties. It might not be a family business for Mike in the traditional ownership sense, but the company is still a multigenerational affair among him and his relatives.
“First and foremost, family is my priority,” Mike says. “I hold myself to high standards regarding work and family. My father, Grant Hubbard, as well as Dennis Smith, are my mentors and role models in both their work ethics and their home lives.”
Mike started in the building materials business in 1970, working for his father’s masonry supply and concrete business, H&H Cement Products. He learned to wear multiple hats during his time at Florence Building Materials, starting in 1982. He went from driving a truck to working the counter to purchasing windows, roofing, and siding. In 1995, he was hired as the purchasing manager at Speonk, the job he still holds to this day.
“It has been my pleasure to work for the same company for the last 28 years,” says Mike. “It’s a thriving, family-owned business that has been passed down from generation to generation. Speonk Lumber has management that has been in the industry as well as the company for 25 to 45 years.”
Mike’s favorite parts of the job, the things that keep him going all these years later, are “speaking with contractors, seeing the job from start to finish, and meeting quality people with great advice along the way.” And, he advises, “Ask questions of the contractors. They are skilled and knowledgeable in what they do, and they will guide you.”
That advice has helped him keep pace with a changing industry, bringing new ideas to Speonk. “Over time, our inventory has changed dramatically from wood to PVC and composite deckings, engineered lumber, as well as many other manmade products,” he explains. “Based on the demand from our regular contractors, I started sourcing innovative materials and products.”
A lifelong Long Islander, Mike moved to Speonk during high school “and never left.” That’s also where he met his wife, Pam, to whom he’s been married for 41years. They have four children, two sons and two daughters, who have given them eight grandchildren and three step-grandchildren ranging in age from two to 23. In his spare time, Mike enjoys golfing, traveling, woodworking, and working in the yard.
His advice to the younger people coming up through the industry is simple: “Work hard, be on time, and be honest,” he offers, adding, “Starting at the bottom and working your way up through a company is the best way to learn the industry.”
Click to Read Margaurette Criscione’s Full Biography
NYLILA Industry Award: Margaurette Criscione, Boise Cascade
Just because Margaurette Criscione is accepting this award, don’t expect her to slow down and rest on her laurels.
“I still get up every day looking for a new opportunity to sell something,” she reminds us. “It’s the hunt, not the capture, that keeps me going.”
Over the past 43 years—the last 15 of which she’s spent as a senior territory manager for Boise Cascade on Long Island—Margaurette has always managed to find another opportunity to sell, despite changing products, changing companies, and changing attitudes. “I love that I have earned respect and acceptance in an industry where women are rarely found in my capacity or tenure,” she says.
Margaurette didn’t start out in sales. Her first position in the industry was working as a computer operator for Georgia-Pacific (more on that later). “I have worked for many wholesalers as a salesperson—both inside and outside—and in a purchasing capacity. I have even outlasted a few companies,” she says, ticking off a few names of the dearly departed. “I discovered I preferred outside sales and never looked back.”
Indeed, she’s still looking forward. While some lament the changes in the business, particularly when it comes to products, Margaurette just keeps thriving. “It used to be a wood business; now it is a plastic, engineered, program-oriented business. I have heard so often lately, ‘It’s not fun anymore.’” She dismisses that pessimism while still expressing some nostalgia for the old ways of the industry.
“The lumber industry is unique and historical,” she says. “When I started, it was a much more interesting and cerebral business to be in because it was more organic. There was a lot to know about species, grades, growing seasons, and regional applications. There was always something new to research and source for customers.”
What keeps her going now? Well, it’s a common refrain among all great salespeople: “I love my relationships with my customers and competitive colleagues that have grown over the years and the great gratification of mutual respect I have achieved.”
Outside of her career, Margaurette remains married to the same man (John), who drove her to that Georgia-Pacific interview way back in 1979. They have a son and a daughter, both grown and married; two grandchildren; and two “grand dogs.” In her spare time, she enjoys reading, organic gardening, photography, cooking, and beekeeping. She was a Girl Scout leader in Suffolk County for 12 years.
For those looking to follow Margaurette’s career footsteps, she believes that integrity and dependability are key. “Your reputation is all you have,” she advises. “Do the right thing, follow through, don’t doubt yourself, and seek out good role models. You are judged by the company you keep and also by the company you work for.”
Special thanks to NYLILA President Eric Raynor of Riverhead Building Supply and Chip Penny of Coastal Forest Products for their efforts with making this a successful event. NYLILA wishes to thank its 2023 sponsors for their support and contributions.
NEWLY INSTALLED BOARD:
Officers
President: Chip Penny (Coastal Forest Products)
Vice President: Anthony Capuano (Reeb Millwork)
Treasurer: Marc Gattuso (BlueLinx Corp.)
Secretary: Alex Kelley (Woodgrain)
Ex-Officio: Eric Raynor (Riverhead Building Supply)
Board members:
Mike Alter (U.S. Lumber & Supply)
Kevin Keillor, Jr. (Riverhead Building Supply)
Sean Murphy (Huber Engineered Woods)
Matt Paskoff (East Islip Lumber Co.)
Lance Wagner (Glendale Lumber)
To learn more about NYLILA, click here.
