WMIA’s long-time legal counsel, Neil Kuenn of Keeley, Kuenn & Reid, will be retiring by late spring of 2020. At their fall meeting, the Association’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to induct Kuenn into WMIA’s Hall of Honor, reserved for those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Association and/or have had a profound effect on the woodworking machinery industry.

Recently, WMIA Chairman of the Board Jim Besonen and Vice-Chairman of the Board Pascal Doucet met with Kuenn in the Chicago area to present him with a plaque to honor his induction into the Hall of Honor.

“Neil has been a part of the fabric of WMIA for decades, serving the Wood Machinery Importers Association [one of the current Association’s predecessors] and then the association which resulted from the merge of the Importers and Distributors’ Associations,” Besonen said. “He has guided us in so many ways, and really helped make WMIA the association it is today. We are grateful for his years of advice and, of course, friendship.”

Doucet remarked, “It is only fitting that we honor him in this way, with induction into the Hall of Honor, since it is reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to the Association. He certainly has done outstanding work.”

Kuenn also will be recognized at WMIA’s Annual Member Meeting during the 2020 Woodworking Industry Conference in Isle of Palms, SC.