In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 16-22), AWFS® recognizes and thanks the volunteers who we serve the association and our industry!
Saúl Martín as Cabinetmaking Contest Coordinator for SkillsUSA California (2022)
AWFS and SWM volunteers are active and involved in the following ways:
— Determining the strategy for the association (Board of Directors)
— Overseeing the budget (Board of Directors)
— Recommending member benefit programs (Member Services Committee)
— Advising on AWFS®Fair decisions (Trade Show Committee)
— Participating in the DC fly-in (Public Policy Committee)
— Hosting and supporting MFG Day (student tours of manufacturing facilities) (SWM and AWFS members)
— Hosting and supporting the SkillsUSA California Cabinetmaking and Introductory Woodworking contests (SWM)
— Serving as industry guest speakers in classrooms about career opportunities (SWM and Education Committee)
— Exhibiting/participating in education outreach events (i.e. for school counselors, educators, administrators, and student career fairs) (SWM and Education Committee)
The AWFS® Board of Directors represents a cross section of its membership and the industries in which they specialize. The AWFS® leadership is composed of people who are dedicated to “giving back” to the industries in which they have built their careers.
President: Rob Howell, WSI Machinery Inc.
Vice President: Michael Cassell, Weinig/Holz-Her
Secretary/Treasurer: Mark Alster, Leitz Tooling LP
Trade Show Chair: Bob Brown, Royal Plywood
Immediate Past President: Daniel Hershberger, Weinig/Holz-Her
Past President: Philip Martin, 3C-IRM
Board Members:
Phyllis Crystal, Uneeda Enterprizes
Karl Frey, Colonial Saw Company
Cassey Gibson, INNERGY
Brian Hansen, Gemini Coatings
John Benjamin Henderson, John Henderson & Company LLC
Randy Jamison, Biesse America
Hannah Faria Khalaf, Surfprep Sanding
Phil Polston, Hexagon/Cabinet Vision
Christina Relyea, J.B. Cutting, Inc.
Jonathan Thompson, E.B. Bradley
Wade Gregory (consultant), WG Management Services
Liaison between AWFS’ Board and show producers. Charged with enhancing and strengthening the value of the AWFS®Fair to AWFS® members and AWFS®Fair exhibitors and attendees.
2022-23 Committee Chair: Bob Brown, Royal Plywood
See the full Trade Show Committee here
Develops services that will attract and retain members including business services, education/research and other opportunities. Also reviews membership qualifications, dues and other issues pertaining to attraction and retention.
2022-23 Committee Chair: Hannah Faria Khalaf, Surfprep Sanding
Meet the Membership Committee here
Monitors, counsels and acts on all appropriate issues relating to regional, state and federal legislative initiatives and regulations that could impact the association, its members and the industry.
2022-23 Committee Chair: Bob Brown, Royal Plywood
Check out the Public Policy Committee here
Education Committee Chair Karl Frey (left) and volunteer Mike Trejo (right) exhibiting at a school counselor event.
Responsible for developing new opportunities for promoting and supporting technical and industry-specific education.
2022-23 Committee Chair: Karl Frey, Colonial Saw Company
Read more on the Education Committee here
Lee Schuette of Blum volunteering at the SkillsUSA CA State Cabinetmaking Contest
SWM is a Southern California chapter of AWFS focused on industry-education connection and supporting woodworking schools, educators, and students through SkillsUSA CA, MFG Day, and other outreach events.
2022-23 SWM Board Chair: Saúl Martín, Architectural Woodworking Company
If you feel a draw to give back to the industry and get involved, please consider applying for a volunteer role! Volunteer opportunities are open to employees of AWFS® Member companies in good standing. While the official Board and Committee application period will begin in late 2023, the application is always open and we will reach out to you when we begin reviewing applications!
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, contact AWFS® at (800) 946-2937.