Bliffert Lumber & Hardware reported that manager Chris Hegeman accepted a two-year term as chairman of the board of the Wisconsin Retail Lumber Association (WRLA), part of the Northwestern Lumber Association (NLA). Hegeman replaces Jake Buswell, operations manager of All American Do it Center in Tomah, Wis., in the role.
“If you want long term success in our industry, you have to be willing to contribute to the good of that industry; we are committed to doing that,” Eli Bliffert, vice president of Bliffert Lumber & Hardware, said in a news release. “Having one of our senior leadership team serve as chairman of the WRLA does that. The WRLA is a great industry organization. We are all very proud of Chris for his appointment.”
In addition, Hegeman will hold a two-year term as chairman of the board of the Wisconsin Lumber Dealers Education Foundation (WLDEF). Hegeman has served on the WRLA board since 2018.
“I’m very proud to be part of these great organizations. The WRLA does fantastic work in helping to continue the knowledge base of seasoned lumber dealers, as well as give new people in the industry a chance to learn and grow in this exciting profession,” Hegeman said. “On the WLDEF side, I’m thrilled to lead an organization that has given more than $220,000 in education assistance, grants, and scholarships over the years. These are great initiatives for our industry, and I’m excited to help.”
The Northwestern Lumber Association is a nonprofit advocating for the lumber and building material industries in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Fifth-generation, family-owned Bliffert Lumber & Hardware is based in southeastern Wisconsin.
