Steve Swanson Is Timber Processing’s 2026 Person of the Year
Longtime Northwest forest products executive Steve Swanson, CEO of Swanson Group based in Roseburg, Ore., was named Timber Processing magazine’s 2026 Person of the Year in its February 2026 issue. Swanson is the 38th winner of the prestigious national award, which debuted in 1989 to honor innovation and success in the North American lumber industry and also involvement outside the mill in support of the industry and state and local communities.
Swanson’s commitment to Oregon’s rural economy and his involvement with the lumber industry’s fair trade efforts are big reasons why he was chosen for the honor: Swanson Group operates a sawmill at Roseburg, plywood plants at Glendale and Springfield and a pellet mill in Oakland, Ore. that employ more than 1,200. Swanson has also served as Chairman of the U.S. Lumber Coalition from 2000-2012 and just started another term this year. He has led his family-owned company since 2001 before naming son Chris Swanson as President in 2025, and remains CEO.
Swanson will accept the Timber Processing 2026 Person of the Year award during a ceremony at 3 p.m. on September 23 during the Timber Processing & Energy Expo held September 23-25 at the Portland Expo Center, Portland, Ore.
Latest News
The Lumber Manufactory Opens First Sawmill In Mississippi
A Washington, D.C.-based startup with roots in aerospace, defense and autonomous-vehicle technology has opened its first sawmill in northeast Miss., betting more than $15 million that a faster, tech-driven approach to milling can help close…
Finnish Sawmill Expands Drying Capacity With Valutec Kilns
Finnish sawmill company JPJ-Wood Oy is investing in two new forklift-loaded batch kilns from Valutec as part of its continued production development. The investment supports the mill’s plans to increase sawn timber production. The two…
Neiman Closing Mill In Western Colorado
Based in Wyoming with sawmill operations in four states, Neiman Enterprises is down to three mills after its Montrose, Colo. sawmill Montrose Forest Products filed a WARN Notice with the Colorado Department of Labor and…
Brad Smith Retires From Delta Motion After 27 Years
Delta Motion has announced that Brad Smith, Regional Sales Manager, has fully retired effective June 30, 2026. Mike Dodds is now responsible for serving Delta’s distributors in the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. Aaron Heinrich…
Find Us On Social
Newsletter
The monthly Timber Processing Industry Newsletter reaches over 4,000 mill owners and supervisors.
Subscribe/Renew
Timber Processing is delivered 10 times per year to subscribers who represent sawmill ownership, management and supervisory personnel and corporate executives. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.
Advertise
Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative.