The Lumbermens Association of Texas (LAT), a nonprofit trade association representing the Texas building materials industry, will honor Walter Foxworth with the inaugural LAT Lifetime Achievement Award and Lynn Surls as Associate of the Year.

The Lifetime Achievement Award honors an LAT member, dealer, or associate who “have made outsized contributions of exceptional significance to the Texas building materials industry through their engagement in the association,” according to LAT.

“Walter has made his mark on our industry and the LAT membership,” said Kate Woodson Borroni, president of the LAT board of directors, human resources, and principal at Woodson Lumber Company. “Every day he raises the bar on what it means to be a LAT member. He continues to inspire the next generation of leaders.”

Foxworth served as president of LAT’s board of directors in 1990, was recognized as LAT Dealer of the Year in 1993, and has over six decades of volunteer engagement.

“I started my career in 1959, and attended my first LAT Convention,” Foxworth said. “I have found that engaging and investing in LAT is mission critical for each of our individual businesses and our industry. The friendships I made along the way have been some of the most meaningful of my life. As I look back at my over 60 years of involvement, I am committed to supporting the next generation and to giving back to an organization that I am so proud to belong to.”

Foxworth retired from his role as chairman-emeritus at Foxworth Galbraith Lumber Company, a division of US LBM, in 2022. The industry veteran continues to dedicate time to LAT and the LBM industry, especially up-and-coming professionals, according to the LAT.

The Associate of the Year award is based on level of service to LAT’s dealer members and dedication to and engagement with LAT for the betterment of the industry. Lynn Surls is the chairman and president at Richardson Timbers and has served as the majority owner of the company since 2007.

“Ynn has worked diligently to build relationships with legislators and has extended those to benefit our industry,” Borroni said. “He has been a steadfast supporter of LAT and he encourages his team to engage in our work.”

LAT said Surls has been an industry advocate and has empowered his team to volunteer with LAT. Additionally, he has invested in LUMPAC and extended his relationships with legislators to advance public policies that have strengthened Texas’ economy, according to the association.

“Having high-value relationships with our customers in how Richardson Timbers prospers and LAT has been at the start of so many decades-long partnerships,” Surls said. “As a business owner, you must look beyond the current business environment and try to anticipate changes. The advocacy work we do at LAT supports our success today and helps us be prepared for what the future brings.”

The LAT will honor its award winners at the 137th LAT Convention & Expo in Arlington, Texas on Sept. 19.