Steve Carreira—2025 RILBMDA Lumber Person of the Year
Sometimes the best careers begin by chance. For Steve Carreira, what started as a temporary summer job turned into a lifelong passion and a 37-year career at Humphrey’s Building Supply. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island in 1988 with a degree in Applied Mathematics, Steve walked into Humphrey’s looking for work to fill […]
Kevin Brockmyre – 2025 MRLDA Lumber Person of the Year
Kevin Brockmyre’s career in the lumber industry spans more than three decades, marked by dedication, leadership, and service to both his profession and community. He began his journey in 1990 when John Brill and Donna Nickerson hired him as a Legislative Assistant at the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association (NRLA). That opportunity launched a distinguished career […]
Frank Gring–2025 MRLDA Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Frank Gring’s distinguished 35-year career in the lumber industry began humbly in 1983, working in the BROSCO Andover shop while attending Gettysburg College. After graduating in 1987, Frank fully immersed himself in the industry, accepting a position at Brosco’s Portland facility in 1988—an opportunity extended by his uncle and lifelong mentor, Howie Smith. Over the […]
Michael Beckerle—2025 MHLDA Lumber Person of the Year
Mike Beckerle has been named the 2025 Lumber Person of the Year by the Mid-Hudson Lumber Dealers Association (MHLDA)—one of the highest honors awarded by peers in the lumber and building material industry. His journey into the industry was less of a career decision and more of a fatherly suggestion: one summer morning after his […]
Jim Bushka—LDAC 2025 Lumber Person of the Year
To know Jim Bushka is to know resilience, humor, and a deep love of family. Born on June 25, 1940, in Korça, Albania, Jim grew up on a 200-acre family farm with his parents, Haxhire and Halil, and his eight siblings. Life changed drastically when the Albanian Communist Party seized the farm and stripped the […]
Mike Bindler—NYLILA 2025 Lumber Person of the Year
Mike Bindler began his career in the lumber industry at the young age of 12, working part-time in the family business, St. Albans Lumber in Queens, N.Y. His father purchased Macrose Lumber’s first yard in 1952, which became St. Albans Lumber, and together they expanded by acquiring Macrose Valley Stream in 1976, later known as […]
Steve Perry—WNYLDA 2025 Industry Excellence Award
For nearly four decades, Steve Perry has been a cornerstone of Knapp & Schlappi Lumber Co., a respected family business built on hard work, customer care, and community spirit. His career began in 1986 with a simple phone call from Peggy Knapp, inviting him to join the company. What started as a hands-on role in […]
Tom Dando—2025 CNYRLDA Industry Excellence Award
Tom Dando proudly represents the fourth generation of his family to dedicate their lives to the lumber and building materials industry. His great-grandfather guided Tully Building Supply (TBS) through the Great Depression, while his grandfather and father each returned from serving in World Wars I and II to continue building the family business. Following in […]
Steve Guertin—2025 VRLDA Lifetime Achievement Award
Steve Guertin is a distinguished leader whose dedication to the lumber industry spans nearly five decades, leaving an impact that extends far beyond professional achievements. His remarkable journey began at just 15 years old, working in the warehouse and driving trucks for Northeast Building Products in Westbrook, Maine. Even as a high school senior, his […]
Tim Lacey—2025 VRLDA Lumber Person of the Year
One year after graduating high school and while attending community college part-time, Tim Lacey embarked on a remarkable journey into the lumber industry. Driven by the need for steady income—for car expenses and a bit of fun—he applied for what seemed to be an entry-level yard position at Ward Lumber Company in Jay, N.Y. Before […]