FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 21, 2026 – ProWood, a manufacturer and distributor of premium pressure-treated lumber and part of UFP Industries, Inc. and a proud member of NADRA.org, announced that Bill Buczek, manager of wood preservation, has been named first vice president of the executive committee of the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA). Buczek will assume the AWPA presidency in 2027 for a one-year term.

“I’m honored to step into this leadership role within an organization that is vital to the treated wood industry,” said Buczek. “AWPA plays a critical role in bringing our industry together, strengthening standards, and driving innovation while ensuring the quality and performance customers expect from treated wood. I’m excited to build on that work and help advance the industry in this new role.”

As first vice president, Buczek will serve as vice chair of the AWPA Executive Committee, helping guide the association’s strategic direction and support its mission of advancing the science, technology, and application of wood protection. His responsibilities will include:

  • Serving as vice chair of the Executive Committee
  • Chairing the association’s Program Committee
  • Providing input and guidance to AWPA staff on priorities for the upcoming year
  • Working with AWPA staff to select the date and site of the 2027 Annual Meeting

Buczek brings over 20 years of industry experience to the role. Earlier in his career, he worked as a senior wood technologist, providing technical assistance to treating facilities, supporting compliance, and conducting research related to product efficiency and quality. He holds a bachelor’s degree in wood science from Michigan Technological University.

Buczek has been an active member and leader within AWPA for many years, chairing the association’s Treatments Lumber Committee, serving as the Treatments Committees General Chair and contributing to the organization’s standards-development process. He is also a frequent contributor to AWPA’s technical programming, having presented on topics such as in-house treating plant quality control, and served in leadership roles addressing wood-treatment standards and practices at multiple AWPA annual meetings.

“Bill’s deep technical knowledge, commitment to the industry, and history of service make him a tremendous asset to AWPA,” said Nicole Butler, executive vice president of AWPA. “We’re confident he will have an incredibly positive impact on the organization and are looking forward to the benefits his forward-thinking and commitment to innovation will bring to the association.”

To learn more about AWPA standards and wood preservation, watch Buczek’s Book of Standards 101 video.

Source: LBM Journal Read original HERE