THE EMPLOYEES WHO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN
Forest Fact: Everyday the forest industry, together with federal and state forestry agencies, plants over 6 million more trees.
BILL BAKER
ACCOUNTING
MANAGER
Bill
began his employment with Schaller Hardwood in February 1982 at the age of 19,
just out of high school. Bill’s first position with the company was as a general
laborer handling lumber for the order fillers. After working three years as a
lumber handler, Bill was promoted to a position as order-filler. In his job as
an order-filler, Bill became very familiar with the kiln dried lumber inventory
and the quality requirements of Schaller Hardwood’s customers. In 1990, Bill was
promoted to the position of yard supervisor of Schaller Hardwood’s Kiln Drying
Operation. Bill’s responsibilities as supervisor included scheduling of the dry
kilns, receipt and inspection of green lumber, seeing that the lumber was
properly placed on sticks to ensure flat straight lumber, and supervision of
about eighteen employees. In 1995, Bill was promoted to an accounting/inside
sales position. In 1998, Bill was promoted to Credit Manager and placed in
charge of all accounts payable. In this position Bill also assists with inside
sales and has even been known to pitch in and fill orders when necessary. Bill
has over 40 years of experience in the lumber industry. You can contact
Bill at
DARRELL BENTON
ORDER FILLER
Darrell began his career in the hardwood lumber industry when he began his employment with Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company in January 1982. Darrell’s first position with Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company was as a lumber handler handling green lumber at yard #2. After about a six month period at Yard #2, Darrell was transferred to Yard #1where he took a position as a forklift operator, loading orders on our outbound trucks and unloading incoming shipments. In January 1984, Darrell began training as an order-filler. After three months working with Dave Holmes, Darrell was enrolled in a lumber grading short course held at the National Hardwood Lumber Association Inspection School in Memphis, TN. After returning from Memphis, Darrell was promoted to an Order Filler. Darrell’s responsibilities as our lead Order Filler, include preparing customer’s orders to the written specifications provided on the order, ensuring that the customers orders are filled properly, and that the lumber used in filling the order meets or exceeds the grade standards set by the National Hardwood Lumber Association. Darrell also has the responsibility of receiving and checking all inbound shipments of kiln dried lumber. This responsibility includes checking the received footage, checking the moisture content to be sure the lumber has been properly kiln dried, and checking the grade and appearance of the load to be sure it meets the standards set by Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company. Darrell brings over 40 years of experience in the hardwood lumber industry to the service of Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company’s customers.
GLENN CROOK
SALES PROFESSIONAL
Glenn started with Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company in July 1983 at the age of 24. His first position with the company was as an over-the-road driver. After working a year as an over-the-road driver, Glenn was trained to become an order-filler. In his job as an order-filler, Glenn became very familiar with the lumber inventory and the quality requirements of Schaller Hardwood’s customers. In 1985, Glenn was promoted to the position of yard supervisor of Schaller Hardwood’s Kiln Drying Operation. Glenn’s responsibilities as supervisor, included scheduling of the dry kilns, receipt and inspection of green lumber, seeing that the lumber was properly placed on sticks to ensure flat straight lumber, and the supervision of about a dozen employees. Glenn during this time also attended several courses on kiln drying and lumber inspection. In 1987, Glenn was promoted to an outside sales position and placed in charge of procurement of all local/tie side lumber. Glenn has worked in outside sales covering Arkansas, Western Tennessee, Southern Illinois, Southern Indiana, and Oklahoma. At the present time Glenn is handling outside sales in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Glenn, when in town, assists in inside sales and delivery scheduling. Glenn has also kept his chauffeur’s license up to date. When special circumstances arise, Glenn has been known to jump into the truck to help out. Glenn brings over 38 years of experience and expertise to his customers. You can contact Glenn at
glenn@schallerhardwood.com
BRIAN ELLIOTT
SALES PROFESSIONAL
Brian began his career with Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company in October 1984 after attending Three Rivers Community College for two years. Brian started his career in the hardwood lumber industry as a lumber handler at Yard #2, handling green lumber for the lumber inspector. After about 2 months handling lumber, Brian was transferred to Yard #1 to train as a forklift operator. Brian while working full-time for Schaller Hardwood also worked part-time in sales for J.C. Penney. In October 1985, Brian was promoted to a position as a lead man in the company’s millwork facility. Brian set up and operated the Oliver-Strato-Plane and straight-line rip saw. In September 1986, Brian attended a National Hardwood Lumber Inspection Short Course. This course is an intensive 3 day course of instruction on the basics of hardwood lumber grading. In January 1990, Brian was promoted to a position as an order-filler. Fort the next four years Brian prepared lumber orders and plywood orders. This experience prepared him for an outside sales position as he became intimate with the hardwood lumber inventory, customer’s needs and expectations. In April 1994, Brian was promoted to an outside sales position covering Central and Northern Missouri, Western Illinois, and St. Louis. After achieving a high degree of success in this territory, Brian expanded his territory into Central Illinois. Brian with over 37 years of experience in the hardwood lumber industry, has proven to be an asset to both his customers and Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company. You can contact Brian at
brian@schallerhardwood.com
WILLIE GOIN
QUALITY CONTROL
Willie began his career with Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company, while a student at Three Rivers Community College, in September of 1989. Willie worked part-time as a lumber handler at Yard #2, handling green lumber for the lumber inspector. Willie while handling this green lumber decided that he’d rather use his mind than his body. After about a year of working as a lumber handler, Willie was enrolled in a "Kiln Operators" course in Memphis dealing with the basics of kiln drying hardwood lumber. Under the guidance of Scott Lundstrom, Willie began operating the dry kilns. In September of 1992, Willie enrolled in the Lumber Inspection School at the National Hardwood Lumber Association Headquarters in Memphis, TN. This course is an intensive four month course on grading hardwood lumber. Willie graduated in December of 1992 with the 109th class. After graduating Willie inspected the green lumber coming into Yard #2. After grading lumber for a year, Willie was promoted to Assistant Yard Supervisor at Yard #2. After spending approximately seven years handling and grading lumber, Willie moved into a position as an outside sales professional. Willie serviced the Central Illinois territory for 2-1/2 years. In July 1998, a new position was created within Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company, Quality Control Supervisor. This position required a unique set of abilities for which Willie was ideally suited. Willie with his extensive experience in lumber inspection, kiln drying, and sales experience has proven to be an asset to both Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company and Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company’s customers. Willie works at both Poplar Bluff locations to ensure the customer of receiving lumber that meets or exceeds industry standards, that the millwork is correctly performed, that the correct number of sheet goods are shipped, and that the orders are properly loaded on trailers for delivery. In addition to his duties as Quality Control Supervisor, Willie is a permanent member of the Schaller Hardwood Lumber Safety Committee, a forklift driver instructor, and a first responder. Willie has over 32 years of experience working in the hardwood lumber industry.
JERRY HAMPTON
YARD #2 SUPERVISOR
In August 1980, Jerry began his career with Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company. Jerry’s first position with the company was tailing a 24" Faye-Egan planner. When Jerry began working, the planner was located in a tin shed and the lumber was fed into the planner inside the shed. The lumber after coming out the rear of the planner went out a hole in the shed and was caught and stacked outside. It was pretty miserable in the rain, snow, or cold weather. In May 1983, Jerry was promoted to a position filling plywood orders, loading trailers, and making local deliveries on the straight truck. In May 1988, Jerry was promoted to 2nd shift Mill supervisor. At this time Schaller Hardwood, was forced to work two shifts each day in order to service our customers in a timely manner. The 2nd shift worked from 2:30 P.M to 11:00 P.M. In January 1992, Jerry was promoted to 1st shift mill supervisor. While the 2nd shift did all the large surfacing runs, the 1st shift prepared and millworked the customers orders. Jerry was responsible for supervising a crew of 6 employees, seeing that the proper millwork was done on all orders, preventative maintenance on the millwork equipment, and that all orders were millworked and ready to ship on time. In January 1995, Jerry was promoted to Yard #1 Supervisor. In this position Jerry was responsible for supervision of 14 employees, seeing that all orders were filled and processed on time, trailers were loaded according to schedule, and the safe operation of the yard. In February 1995, Jerry was diagnosed with end stage renal failure (kidney failure). In October 1996, Jerry began treatment for end stage renal failure and took a medical leave of absence from Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company. On September 5, 1997, Jerry received a kidney transplant from his sister. On December 1, 1997, Jerry returned from his medical leave of absence and began work as the mill supervisor at Yard #2. This millwork facility began full operation in February 1998. Jerry helped design and implement the procedures at this new millwork facility prior to its start up. Jerry now supervises a crew of 7 employees. As mill supervisor at Yard #2, Jerry is responsible for the taking off sticks of all lumber coming out of the dry kilns, color selecting the Red Oak lumber after S2S 15/16", re-inspecting the lumber after kiln drying, and preparing into standard size bundles for shipment into Yard #1. Jerry has over 41 years of experience in the hardwood lumber industry and is always looking for new and more efficient ways to process lumber and to improve the quality of material produced.
BRUCE PLOETZE
PRESIDENT
Bruce
began his career with Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company working summers while in
high school. His first job was cleaning and painting the physical plant in St.
Louis. In September of 1975 while attending Southwest Missouri State University,
Bruce began working part-time as an outside sales representative for the
Springfield, MO area. In May 1977 after graduating from Southwest Missouri State
University, Bruce began working full-time as an outside sales representative.
His first sales territory consisted of Southwest Missouri, the Tulsa area,
Northwest Arkansas, Southern Illinois, Southwestern Indiana, Northwestern
Kentucky, and the St. Louis area. In August of 1980, Bruce relocated to Poplar
Bluff, MO to assist in the relocation of Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company.
During this time period Bruce as most of the Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company
employees wore several different hats. In addition to covering his sales
territory with the addition of Central Arkansas, Bruce assisted in order
filling, lumber handling, and truck driving. In the summer of 1983, Bruce took
on the added responsibility of all sheet good purchasing for the Poplar Bluff
location. In 1988, Bruce in addition to his outside sales responsibilities
filled in as the "Plywood Guy". This fill in period lasted approximately two
years. Also in 1988 Bruce was promoted to a position as Sales Manager. In
October 1996, Bruce filled in as a Yard Supervisor at yard #1in Poplar Bluff
while Jerry Hampton went on medical leave. During this period Bruce was able to
experience first hand some of the problems and situations encountered during the
day-to-day operation of the yard. Serving on an interim basis a Yard Supervisor
provided Bruce an opportunity to focus on the employee side of the company. In
March of 1997, Bruce was promoted to President of Schaller Hardwood Lumber
Company. His responsibilities as President include overall day-to-day
supervision of Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company, purchasing of both green and
kiln-dried lumber, assisting in the purchase of sheet goods, scheduling of
out-of-town deliveries, inventory control, pricing, coordination and cooperation
between locations, inside sales, and outside sales in Southwest Missouri and
Tulsa. Bruce has over 44 years of experience in the hardwood lumber
industry. Bruce welcomes calls from any of Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company’s
customers with any problems, suggestions or compliments they may have. You can
contact Bruce at
Denise Rowe
"THE BOSS"
