20.05.2021
After eight years at the helm of the International Wood Products Association (IWPA-USA), Executive Director Cindy Squires is leaving the wood products space and returning to manufacturing to be President and CEO of the American Composites Manufacturers Association on July 1. ATIBT wishes Cindy every success in her new position.
Cindy Squires made the following statement:
It has been my absolute privilege to serve as IWPA’s Executive Director. I am extremely proud of the time I spent at IWPA and cherish the many relationships that I have built over this time. I leave knowing we have worked together to build our industry’s capacity to tackle all the challenges that impact the wood products trade.
I joined IWPA in March of 2013. We started our journey putting together a new mission statement and strategic plan. IWPA’s mission to build acceptance and demand in North America for globally sourced wood products from sustainably managed forests made it possible to chart a daring new course for IWPA. We built a new Wood Trade Compliance education program, became a trusted voice for the imported wood community, led a negotiated solution to TSCA formaldehyde emission regulation litigation that saved inventories, and helped our members through many trade, regulatory and legal challenges together.
I will always be extremely proud of the time I spent here at IWPA and cherish the many relationships that I have built over this time. You have a very competent and dedicated team at IWPA. IWPA has a very active Board and Committee chairs and many dedicated volunteers. This team is what makes IWPA so successful.
IWPA's Executive Committee has formed a Search Committee and hired Shira Lotzar with Purposeful Hire – a firm that specializes in small staff associations - to conduct the search for my successor. I encourage you to contact Ms. Lotzar directly if you you or someone you know would be a good fit for this position. Rest assured IWPA will be in good hands during this transition period.
As I prepare to hand off the reins at IWPA, I want to thank all those I have worked with to build our industry’s capacity to respond to and capitalize on the many challenges we have faced. There was never a dull day, but I was constantly impressed by the remarkable leaders who worked to grow in spite of the challenges. I am excited to see all that you accomplish in the years to come.
We wish her much success in her new position.
