Middleton, WI – The Woodworking Machinery Industry Association, the leading association representing importers and distributors of woodworking machinery and ancillary equipment in North America, held a successful Spring 2021 Board of Directors Meeting in Memphis, TN, May 5-7, 2021. Confirmed by the WMIA membership, newly elected Board Chairman, Pascal Doucet, Vice President of Sales at Doucet Machineries, led his first meeting of the Directors in partnership with the association’s new CEO, Donte Shannon, FASAE, CAE, and its new association management company, AMPED.

Doucet gave his opening remarks saying, “The last two years on the Executive Committee were challenging on multiple levels, and tough decisions had to be made. Thank you to Jim Besonen and the Executive Committee for holding down the fort during these unstable times. Now we are moving toward a more positive future, and I am feeling confident we will be able to meet again in person at the Spring 2022 Board Meeting during WIC.

We are excited to have a new team, AMPED, on board. They will support our efforts and back the committee workforce. The IWF team is already on the move for a great show in 2022.

Contrary to most, our industry has been going through the pandemic without too much damage. Our customers and manufacturers are in strong shape, ready to face the new challenges ahead.

I want to extend my thanks to Dave Rakauskas for the past 8 years with the Executive Committee. It has been a great pleasure to work with you.

Finally, thanks to all our members for being part of WMIA and for contributing to the objective to make the WMIA the leading association of our industry.”

Doucet emphasized how pivotal this moment is for the Association as expanded staff support, extensive association management experience, coupled with the Board’s industry expertise are the perfect recipe for the organization to accelerate its growth and increase its impact. The two-day Board of Directors meeting yielded exercises and discussions that helped define and establish new, ambitious goals in the coming year for the Association. “I am excited about all the opportunities that are available to WMIA. The organization is primed for continued success, which is evident in the leadership and engagement of the Board of Directors,” says Shannon.

Pascal follows the leadership of Jim Besonen, President of Wood Machinery Systems, Inc., who succeeds to Chairman Emeritus. Additional newly elected Board leaders are James Scarlett, owner of Scarlett Inc., serving as Vice-Chairman and Joe Hammock, Friulmac Inc., serving as Secretary/Treasurer.

WMIA members elected three new members to the Association’s Board of Directors: Steve McNeilly of Cefla North America, Roger Taylor of Mozaik Software, Inc., and Mike Johnson of Biesse America.

About WMIA
Since 1978, the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA) has represented importers and distributors of woodworking machinery and ancillary equipment in North America. WMIA is the recognized voice of importers and distributors and serves as a vital communications link between suppliers and manufacturers of wood products in North America. WMIA is the co-owner of the International Woodworking Fair (IWF), the largest woodworking trade show in the U.S., and is co-sponsor of the annual Woodworking Industry Conference (WIC).