Softwood Lumber Board Seeks Candidates
The Softwood Lumber Board (SLB or Board) seeks nominations for three domestic softwood lumber manufacturers and one importer interested in candidacy for Board seats coming open in January 2027. The deadline for nominations is April 8, 2026.
The SLB is seeking nominees to fill four seats for Directors whose terms expire on December 31, 2026:
- Three domestic manufacturers:
- Two large companies representing the U.S. South;
- One company of any size representing the U.S. West;
- One importer:
- One small company representing importers from any region.
Members serve for a three-year term and may serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms.
Qualifications for serving on the SLB follow:
Industry Members
- The Board is comprised of domestic manufacturers and importers of softwood lumber who annually ship or import 15 million board feet or more of softwood lumber into the United States.
- Industry seats on the Board are apportioned by region based on the volume of softwood lumber domestically manufactured or imported.
- Nominees for U.S. seats must reside in the United States.
- Under the program, large companies are defined as those that account for the top two-thirds of the volume of assessable softwood lumber annually and small companies account for the remaining assessable softwood lumber. Based on a review of 2022-2024 data, companies that ship or import about 547 million board feet or more of assessable softwood lumber annually would be considered large.
- Nominees must be able to commit the time to serve and have the authority to represent their respective company. The SLB holds four meetings per year – two virtually and two in-person. SLB members also serve on committees that meet periodically throughout the year.
Additional Guidelines:
- No two members of the Board may be employed by a single company. This includes subsidiaries and affiliates thereof.
- Interested persons may self-nominate or nominate other eligible persons by completing the form – “NOMINATION FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE SOFTWOOD LUMBER BOARD” and providing it to the SLB.
- Nominees may provide a short background statement outlining their qualifications to serve on the Board. This is due by the April 8, 2026 deadline.
- Nominees may seek nomination to the Board for all open seats for which the nominees are eligible.
The Board will evaluate all eligible nominees and submit the name of one nominee for each open seat and the name of one additional nominee for each open seat to the Secretary of Agriculture. Other qualified persons interested in serving in the open seats but not recommended by the Board will be designated as additional nominees for consideration by the Secretary.
The SLB administers an industry-funded and -directed program (commonly known as a “checkoff”) designed to promote the benefits and uses of softwood lumber products in both established and new market segments. Programs and initiatives supported by the SLB focus on increasing the demand for softwood lumber products in the United States. The Softwood Lumber Checkoff took effect in 2011, and assessment collection began in 2012. The U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees the program.
You may submit the form online below.
You may also email the form to Maureen Pello, SVP of Operations at mpello@softwoodlumberboard.org, or send via physical mail to Maureen Pello, Softwood Lumber Board, 2050 Beavercreek Road, Suite 101-397, Oregon City, OR 97045.
The timeline for the nomination and appointment process follows:
March 11 through April 8, 2026:
Eligible persons may submit nominations to the Board. Self-nominations are welcome.
April 8, 2026:
Nominations close. Background statements outlining candidates’ qualifications to serve on the Board are due.
Late April 2026:
The Board’s Industry Relations & Governance Committee will meet and evaluate all eligible nominees. The Committee will recommend nominees to the Board.
May 13, 2026:
The SLB will meet and evaluate all eligible nominees. The Board will submit the name of one nominee for each open seat and the name of one additional nominee for each open seat to the Secretary. Other qualified persons interested in serving in the open seats but not recommended by the Board will be designated by the Board as additional nominees for consideration by the Secretary.
No later than July 1, 2026:
The Board must submit its nominations to the Secretary. From the nominations submitted, the Secretary shall select the members of the Board.
Prior to December 31, 2026:
The Secretary appoints the new Board members.
January 1, 2027:
The 2027 term of office begins.
Interested parties may self-nominate or nominate other eligible persons by completing the form – NOMINATION FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE SOFTWOOD LUMBER BOARD and providing it to the SLB.
Below you may submit the form.