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 […]
Brad White—2025 NNYLDA Industry Excellence Award
Born in Watertown, N.Y., Brad White grew up in a family where independence, hard work, and adventure were a way of life Summers were spent swimming, fishing, sailing, and boating at the family cottage in Henderson Harbor, while winters meant skiing at Dry Hill and Snow Ridge, with the occasional trip to Whiteface or Big […]
Robert Ashley—2025 NNYLDA Lumber Person of the Year
Robert Joseph Ashley was born in Ogdensburg, N.Y. on July 7, 1962 entered the lumber and building materials industry through the family business started by his father, John Ashley Sr. His entire professional career has been with Triple “A” Building Center, where he serves as President and CEO. Under his leadership, the company has grown […]
Peter Krihak—2025 ENYLDA Lumber Person of the Year
Peter Krihak’ s journey in the lumber industry began during high school, working summers as a yardman at Holbrook Lumber Co. There, he swept warehouses, learned wood species, built orders, loaded trucks, and offloaded railroad cars, laying the foundation for what would become a remarkable career. Over the years, Peter built a diverse resume with […]
Gene Flanagan—RLDAM Lumber Person of the Year
Born and raised in Camden, Maine, Gene was named after his uncle, Gene Rich, nicknamed “Daddy Gene,” who founded Viking Lumber with his father, Jud, in the mid-1940s. Gene is one of six siblings, four of whom work at the company. His sister, Erin, is located at their Warren lumberyard; Maureen and David are in […]