Talking Lumber: A Conversation About Talent, Industry Trends, and Relationships

One of the things I enjoy most about working in the lumber industry is that there’s always something new to learn. Whether I’m speaking with a company about its business, connecting with a professional about their career, or attending an industry event, every conversation gives me a different perspective on the people and businesses that make up this industry.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down for an interview following the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) event, where I shared some of my experiences and perspectives on recruiting within the lumber and building materials industry. We talked about everything from the challenges companies are facing to what professionals are looking for in their careers, but one theme continued to stand out to me: the value of industry knowledge and strong relationships.

Having grown up around a lumber yard, I’ve always understood that this is an industry built on experience, hard work, and connections. Now, as a Lumber industry Recruiter with BRIX Recruiting Partners, I get to see those qualities from a different perspective. My work allows me to connect with professionals throughout the industry, learn about their businesses, and help bring people together when the right opportunity comes along.

I wanted to share a few broader thoughts from those conversations and my experience at the NHLA conference, along with why I believe building relationships remains one of the most valuable things we can do in this industry.


Every Conversation Offers a Different Perspective

One of the biggest advantages of working specifically within the lumber and building materials industry is the opportunity to learn from people with different backgrounds and experiences. No two businesses operate exactly the same way, and the priorities of a lumber yard, sawmill, manufacturer, or distributor can look very different depending on its customers, market, and goals.

I spend a lot of my time having conversations with professionals who understand those differences firsthand. Some have spent their entire careers with one company, while others have worked across several parts of the industry. Each person brings a different perspective, and those conversations help me better understand what’s happening beyond any one business or market.

That understanding becomes especially valuable when companies are navigating challenges or thinking about their future. A business may be focused on strengthening its operations, developing its sales team, or preparing for growth. Another may be concentrating on efficiency and maintaining strong customer relationships during a slower period. While their priorities may differ, both benefit from having knowledgeable people who understand the business and can contribute to its success.

Attending the NHLA conference was another reminder of how important it is to stay connected to the broader industry. Hearing discussions about market conditions, production costs, and the challenges businesses are facing provided additional context for the conversations I have every day. It also reinforced that there is always more to understand, even when you’ve been around an industry for years.

I think that’s part of what makes recruiting interesting. My job isn’t just to understand the requirements of an open position. It’s to understand the business behind it, the people who work there, and what the company is ultimately trying to accomplish. The more I learn, the better equipped I am to have meaningful conversations with both clients and candidates.

Experience Brings Value That Isn’t Always Obvious on Paper

Growing up around a lumber yard gave me an appreciation for how much knowledge people develop through hands-on experience. My dad and grandfather were both involved in the industry, so I was exposed early to the work, responsibilities, and relationships that keep a business running.

That background continues to influence the way I think about talent today. Some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the lumber industry have built their careers by learning directly from others, taking on additional responsibilities, and gaining experience over many years. Their understanding of the business comes from being involved in its day-to-day operations, not necessarily from following a traditional career path.

This is something I think about often when speaking with companies about what they’re looking for in a candidate. Every position has requirements, and certain qualifications are essential. At the same time, there’s value in understanding how someone’s experience translates to the responsibilities of a role, even if their background doesn’t look exactly like what was originally envisioned.

The same idea applies when getting to know candidates. A resume provides a useful overview of someone’s career, but it doesn’t always tell the complete story. Conversations can reveal how a person approaches challenges, what they’ve learned from previous experiences, and which parts of their work they enjoy most.

Having an industry background helps me recognize the significance of those details. I can ask more specific questions, understand the terminology people use, and have conversations that go beyond a job title. It also helps me explain opportunities in a way that connects with someone’s actual experience.

For me, that’s one of the biggest benefits of specializing in an industry. Familiarity creates a foundation for better conversations, and those conversations lead to a deeper understanding of what both companies and professionals need.

Understanding People Is Just as Important as Understanding the Business

While industry knowledge is an important part of recruiting, understanding people is equally valuable. Every professional has different motivations, responsibilities, and long-term goals, and those priorities can change throughout their career.

Something I’ve learned from speaking with candidates is that there isn’t one factor that makes an opportunity attractive to everyone. Compensation is important, but it’s only one part of a much larger decision. Some people are focused on career advancement, while others are looking for stability, flexibility, or a better balance between their professional and personal lives.

Benefits, retirement plans, travel expectations, and company culture can all influence how someone evaluates a potential move. What matters most to one candidate may be completely different from what matters to another.

That’s why I think listening is such an important part of recruiting. Before discussing whether someone might be interested in an opportunity, I want to understand what they value and what would make a change worthwhile. Sometimes that leads to a conversation about a position, and sometimes it simply helps me get to know someone better.

For companies, understanding those motivations is just as important. Attracting experienced professionals requires more than identifying the right qualifications. It also means communicating what makes the opportunity worth considering and helping candidates understand how it might align with their goals.

I’ve found that the more information a company shares about its business, expectations, and overall opportunity, the more effectively I can represent it. Details about the team, day-to-day responsibilities, benefits, and long-term direction help create a clearer picture for someone who may not have been considering a career change.

This matters because many of the professionals I speak with are already employed and doing well in their current positions. They aren’t necessarily looking for something new, and they may have no reason to consider leaving unless an opportunity offers something that genuinely aligns with their priorities.

I believe the strongest recruiting conversations happen when both sides have a clear understanding of what matters to the other. That doesn’t mean every conversation will lead to a placement, but it does create a more thoughtful process and helps everyone make better-informed decisions.

The Value of Staying Connected Beyond an Immediate Need

One of my favorite parts of attending the NHLA conference was having the opportunity to meet people face-to-face. So much of my work happens over the phone, and while those conversations are valuable, there’s something different about being able to sit down with someone, hear about their business, and get to know them in person.

Adam Vortherms and I attended with the goal of connecting with industry professionals, including people we’d already spoken with and others we hadn’t yet met. I enjoyed having conversations that weren’t necessarily centered on a specific position or immediate hiring need. We were able to learn about people’s experiences, hear different perspectives, and strengthen connections that can continue long after an event ends.

Those experiences reinforced something I’ve believed for a long time: relationships don’t have to begin with a transaction or an immediate need. In fact, some of the most valuable professional connections develop gradually through conversations, shared experiences, and staying in touch.

I’ve seen that throughout my time at BRIX. Some of the client relationships I have today began with conversations when I first joined the company in December of 2022. We didn’t necessarily begin working together right away, but maintaining those connections created opportunities to continue learning about their businesses and be a resource when the timing made sense.

I approach candidate relationships in the same way. I enjoy connecting with professionals who are happy in their current roles just as much as those who are actively exploring opportunities. Those conversations give me a chance to learn about their experiences and hear what’s happening across different parts of the industry.

They also create a foundation for the future. Someone’s career goals or personal circumstances may change, or a company that isn’t hiring today may have different needs down the road. Having an established relationship makes it easier to reconnect and have a productive conversation when that happens.

I think this is especially important in an industry where people often build long careers and maintain connections across different companies and markets. Staying in touch, sharing knowledge, and making introductions can all have value, even when there’s no immediate business opportunity involved.

Why I Believe Industry-Focused Recruiting Matters

The more time I spend speaking with people across the lumber industry, the more I appreciate how closely industry knowledge and relationship-building work together.

Understanding a business helps me ask better questions and recognize what it needs from a potential hire. Understanding the people within the industry helps me identify where someone’s experience, goals, and interests may align with those needs. Neither piece is quite as valuable without the other.

It’s also why I enjoy focusing on one industry rather than approaching every search as an entirely new market. The conversations I have today build on what I’ve learned from previous clients, candidates, and industry events. Over time, those experiences help me develop a stronger understanding of the businesses and professionals I work with.

That familiarity can make the recruiting process more efficient, but I believe its value goes beyond speed. It allows me to have more informed conversations, recognize relevant experience, and communicate opportunities with a level of understanding that comes from being consistently involved in the industry.

I also think there’s something valuable about being a resource outside of an active search. Whether someone has a question about the market, wants to discuss their career, or is thinking ahead about a future hiring need, I want them to feel comfortable reaching out.

Recruiting is ultimately about people, and I believe the relationships we build along the way are just as important as the positions we help fill.

Continuing the Conversation

Looking back on my experience at the NHLA conference and the interview that followed, I’m reminded of how much I’ve learned from the people I’ve met throughout my career. The lumber industry continues to evolve, and companies and professionals will always have new challenges, priorities, and opportunities to consider.

What hasn’t changed is the importance of understanding the business, appreciating the experience people bring to the table, and maintaining relationships over time.

I’m grateful that my background and my role at BRIX allow me to stay involved in an industry that has been part of my life for so long. I enjoy hearing different perspectives, learning about the businesses that make up the industry, and finding ways to connect people when the right opportunities arise.

As I shared in my interview, it never hurts to have a few more people in your corner. That’s something I believe applies whether you’re a company thinking about future growth or a professional who’s completely happy where you are today.

Watch my full interview on YouTube to hear more about my background, what I’m seeing in lumber industry recruiting, and my experience attending the conference.

And whether you’re looking to strengthen your team, explore opportunities, or simply expand your professional network, I’d love to connect.