Governor LePage & Logging Contractors Discuss Prosperous Future for Loggers

New Gloucester – The Board of Directors of the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine met with Governor LePage today to discuss concerns they have about the future of Maine’s logging industry. PLC is a trade organization of loggers serving loggers. “Our Board was excited to meet with Governor LePage today (Tuesday, November 8^th) in Augusta to talk about our concerns”, stated, Tom Cushman, the group’s President.

“This was a great opportunity for these business owners to reach out to Governor LePage, and provide him with a background of the logging business and the challenges and changes we have seen over past two decades. We highlighted our serious concern for the future of our logging contractor’s business viability and the negative impact their exiting the business would have on the entire forest products industry here in Maine. We want to make certain our industry is vibrant for future generations of loggers and we are convinced this is what the Governor wants too,” explained Beardsley, PLC’s Executive Director.

“We are grateful that the Governor agreed to meet with us, this is the first Governor to consent to meet with our Board, it was an honor”, remarked Brian Souers, PLC’s 2^nd Vice President. Souers continued, “We discussed the ‘bonded labor issue’ and the factors contributing to overall capacity issues from the logger’s perspective.  Healthy logging contractors will add capacity in terms of employees and equipment, if their logging operations are profitable and the potential financial rewards outweigh the potential financial risks. We discussed the challenges logging contractors face, possible solutions, and how the administration can help.”

“Governor LePage made it clear that Maine needs to create more jobs and better jobs. Logging contractors provide well paying jobs with benefits.  We met with the Governor, as private enterprises, to discuss ways the state can be more responsive to loggers as business owners, to allow loggers to prosper and serve as a catalyst for job creation in Maine” said Bob Linkletter, PLC’s 1^st Vice President.

PLC was created in 1995 by a group of Maine Loggers to provide loggers a voice in a rapidly changing industry. We continue this effort today, representing loggers that harvest 75% of the actively harvested land in Maine. From the outset, PLC has focused on advocacy, safety, quality operations and business innovation. Our Members realize that harvesting is more than just cutting trees. They are highly skilled, business professionals and are an integral part of Maine’s economic engine. Our Members are dedicated to maintaining a safe work environment, a healthy forest and industry, as well as being efficient and profitable. Always have been, always will be. PLC of Maine is standing strong for loggers, yesterday, today and tomorrow. For more information visit our website www.maineloggers.com or call our office 207-688-8195.

Professional Loggers Announce New Executive Staff

New Gloucester – Tom Cushman, President of the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine and The Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands announced this week the selection of Michael Beardsley as the new Executive Director of the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine and Elizabeth Postlewaite as the new Executive Director of The Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands.

“Mike brings an extensive career in business, finance and advocacy to our association. His understanding of the business sector will be a huge asset to our association,” said   Cushman. He continued, “In addition, as a licensed Maine forester and experienced educator, Beth’s ability to take the Northeast Master Logger Program and the Trust’s programs to the next level is exciting.”

Leslie Beardsley has been hired as the association’s office administrator.

The Professional Logging Contractors of Maine and The Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands are both 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, organizations based in New Gloucester, Maine.  The Professional Logging Contractors of Maine seeks to represent its members and improve the public image of harvesting natural resources through accountability and transparency. The Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands was formed by the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine in 2003 to administer the Northeast Master Logger Certification program with the broader goal of enhancing the health of working forest ecosystems through exceptional accountability throughout the Northern Forest region.

49 Pineland Dr. Suite 201A, New Gloucester, ME 04260
Office: (207) 688-8195 | Fax: (207) 688-8197 |www.maineloggers.com | www.tcnef.org

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