WMMA Honors James E. Laster with Baldwin Award of Excellence
 Former award honoree Peter Perez (left) presents Jim Laster (center) with the 2010 WMMA Ralph B. Baldwin Award of Excellence with the help of outgoing WMMA President Tom Onsrud at the Woodworking Industry Conference on April 22, 2010 in Monterey, CA. (WMMA Photo) |
May 4, 2010 — Philadelphia, PA – The Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America® (WMMA®), a trade association of U.S. manufacturers of woodworking machinery, cutting tools, and supplies, honored long-time member James E. Laster, executive vice president of Greensboro, NC-based Newman*Whitney, one of the premier metalworking facilities in the Southeast known worldwide for its heavy duty woodworking machinery, with the 2010 Ralph B. Baldwin Award of Excellence at the 18th Woodworking Industry Conference (WIC) in Monterey, CA. This annual award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the woodworking industry, the Association, their companies and their community.
The presentation speech was given by the 2008 Baldwin Award Winner, Peter Perez, president of Carter Products Company, based in Grand Rapids, MI. Perez noted "Our winner this year is a 'giant' in our industry. Jim Laster has served WMMA in a variety of capacities: committee chair, treasurer, vice president and president. He always has been a willing member of any task force group assembled to address an issue. At his company, he has earned a reputation as a leader."
As a past president of WMMA, Laster currently is on the board of directors. He is also involved in developing woodworking machinery safety standards as vice chair of the Accredited Standards Committee O1, a volunteer group that works in accordance with the consensus committee method described by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Laster leads the daily operations of Newman*Whitney. A trained engineer, he often is called upon to travel all over the world to solve unique technical challenges involving woodworking machinery and equipment. He has designed cutting edge machines that today are a standard part of the product line. Most recently he spearheaded efforts to develop cost effective log shaving equipment to produce wood shavings for animal bedding use for chickens, turkeys and horses. This has taken the company into a new and growing market.
A graduate of Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC, Laster is an active woodworker crafting baby furniture for his grandchildren and stringed musical instruments such as banjos and mandolins.
Perez noted, "Jim exemplifies the leadership characteristics embodied in the Baldwin Award. He is incredibly devoted to our association and our industry. I have been privileged to work closely with our honoree for the past 15 years."
The Ralph B. Baldwin Award of Excellence was the highlight of WMMA's annual business session, held on April 22 during WIC, the premier national annual conference organized and attended by members of the wood machinery industry.
The Ralph B. Baldwin Award of Excellence is presented annually. Nominations come from the membership and are voted on by a panel consisting of WMMA officers, past presidents and membership services committee members.
The next Woodworking Industry Conference will be held at the Marco Island Marriott Resort and Spa in Florida on May 3 - 8, 2011.
