The GLTPA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to leading the forests product industry of Michigan and Wisconsin towards sustainable forest management and lobbying in the interests of its members, which include close to 1,000 entities and their employees. A voting board of up to 27 people lead the organization.

Local nonmembers likely best know this group for its founding of the event once known as Logging Congress, now called the Great Lakes Logging and Heavy Equipment Expo, which is held at the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds every other year. The Spring Celebration is a networking convention that features exhibitor booths, award presentations, and discussions and speeches on the state of the industry and related topics.

This year’s theme was “Working Together for Safety.” Talks on the subject were delivered by Jared Johnson of U.P. First Aid and Safety Supply, whose presentation was entitled “Improvised First Aid Tips and Tricks: Tips to Provide Care in Less than Idea, Conditions with Less than Ideal Resources;” Brian LeBouef of the Michigan Association of Timbermen Self-insurers’ Fund (MATSIF) speaking on workers’ compensation; and Rick Desellier, also from MATSIF, who shared his expert knowledge of chainsaw safety.

The first and keynote speaker of the day Ron Waukau, forest manager for Menominee Tribal Enterprises, a tribal-owned forest product company known for its high-quality timber and sustainable, ethical forestry management practices. His presentation was sponsored by the Hamilton Roddis Foundation, a charity that has been a reoccurring sponsor of GLTPA events.

Wisconsin State Forester Heather Berklund explains why Executive Director Henry Schienebeck (right) of the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association was chosen to be named 2026 Friend of Forestry. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

A highlight of the event was a period in the late morning when the GLTPA recognized individuals and entities who had made large and positive impacts on the industry.

John Rogers and the Kalkaska County Road Commission earned the Michigan Merit Award, the presentation of which was preceded by an introduction from Denny Olson of the GLTPA.

“The county road (commission) and the GLTPA have worked together to make our county roads and local roads better,” Olson said. “We can work together for our industry and theirs, so that we can move our equipment and our products as we manage our great resource. Many road commissions have opened their doors and hearts to us. …John has really led this very important work.”

Olson’s heartfelt speech described how his relationship with Rogers had grown over the years before concluding: “You fix the roads and build the roads. We use the roads. So as we do our job, we’re proud to be alongside of you people at the road commissions.”

GLTPA Executive Director Henry Schienebeck chimed in to comment on the value of communication and partnership to provide “reasonable transportation solutions for trucking forest products” before handing over the wooden plaque to Rogers.

GLTPA members remarked that many road commissions were valuable partners, and Schienebeck quipped that a probably reason more road commission representatives from the U.P. weren’t in attendance was because they were preparing for the snowstorm expected the following day.

The Wisconsin Merit Award went to Larry Krueger, who operates a family logging business in Manitowoc County.

“Larry is just a fierce advocate for the forest industry,” Schienebeck said. “Larry and his brother Bruce have worked to maintain and expand the family business, which their father Herb Krueger started in 1969 with a portable sawmill. In addition to his work at Kruger Lumber, Larry has consistently been an advocate for the foreign products industry in Wisconsin. Larry serves on the Wisconsin Freight Advisory Committee on behalf of Lake States Lumber. He’s been an advocate for restoring and improving transportation for the forest products industry in the Great Lakes region. And Larry also constantly offers his time to speak at Woodland Owners Association meetings and educate woodland owners.”

The GLTPA also acknowledged the work of those who helped harvest and transport the Michigan State Christmas tree, a 68-foot spruce from Sault Ste. Marie. Recognized for their efforts were Michigan Association of Timbermen’s Justin Knepper, Ray Good and Chris Muma with Chris Muma FOrest Producst out of Gladwin, Mich.

A final award presented not by the GLTPA but by the Wisconsin DNR Division of Forestry. State Forester Heather Berkland announced that the Division of Forestry’s winner of the 2026 “Friend of Forestry” award went to none other than Schienebeck, who has headed the GLTPA for 18 years.

“This award is given in honor of individuals or organizations that really help further our Division’s purpose, and our purpose is to work in partnership,” Berklund said. “How Henry approaches his role in the forestry community really aligns with that spirit. … Working together for whatever it is — safety, public health, timber management, forest policy — Henry strives to find common ground and solutions and advocates for our industry and resource for the betterment of our future. Henry’s character truly aligns with the definition of a friend of forestry.”