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
Sawmillers Show Up: TP&EE Portland 2022 Was A Success
The recent Timber Processing & Energy Expo, held in Portland, Ore. September 28-30, had a knockout crowd of sawmillers from around the globe walking the aisles. 110 wood producer companies sent representatives to the three-day trade show which featured a sold-out exhibit floor, and one-day…
Valutec TC Kilns See North American Success
As a leading developer and world leader in continuous dry kilns Valutec has delivered more than 2,000 continuous kilns to sawmills around the world. In 2020, the company commissioned North America’s first TC continuous kiln at Pleasant River’s Moose River Lumber in Jackman, Me. Now, another eight kilns are up and running, or being installed in North America…
SmartLam Plans Glulam Facility
SmartLam North America, reportedly the largest manufacturer in North America of cross-laminated timber (CLT), announced it will build a $50 million glulam manufacturing facility in Dothan, Ala. The new SmartLam facility, to be built adjacent SmartLam’s existing CLT facility in a 144,000 sq. ft. structure, will manufacture…
Peak Announce SYP Pellet Mill
Vancouver, Canada-based Peak Renewables plans to build a 180,000 metric tons per year wood pellet mill in Dothan, Ala. The $30 million project will utilize residuals from Rex Lumber sawmills in the area. Construction on the facility is expected to be completed by mid-2023. Peak is building the plant adjacent the SmartLam cross-laminated timber plant and upcoming glulam facility in Dothan…
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.