Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Names Chair

Chattanooga, TN, March 11, 2008--Rick Armstrong of Homer Gregory Inc. in Morehead, Ken., was named the chairman of Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc. at the 2008 Annual Meeting.

He received the gavel from John Crites of Allegheny Wood Products of Petersburg, W. Va. at the AHMI Chairman's Banquet.

"We have been the talk of both the producing and wood consuming world with our promotion on the sustainability of the Appalachian Forest and work with the U.S. Forest Service," Crites said. "But it has been more than talk with AHMI members seeing sales results and increased interest from buyers wanting green products."

Armstrong will lead AHMI from 2008-2010. The other officers are Chairman-elect Jimmy Powell of Canton Hardwoods, Canton, N.C.; Vice Chairman of Finance Chris Keziah of Oak Ridge Hardwoods, Oak Ridge, Tenn.; and Past Chairman Crites.