NWPCA Announces 2025/2026 Board of Directors and Executive Committee

The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) announced its 2025/2026 Board of Directors during the Annual Leadership Conference & Expo, held March 26-28, 2025, in Napa, California.

Newly appointed Chair Hinton Howell, Hinton Lumber Products, expressed his gratitude for NWPCA members and past leaders, including Immediate Past Chair Jeff Lewis, Atlanta Pallets and Services, for his tremendous service the previous year.

“I am grateful for our members and past leaders whose dedication has shaped the NWPCA. Their vision and leadership inspire me, and I look forward to what we will accomplish together.”

As a leader in a family business with over 50 years in the industry, Howell emphasized the sector’s resilience and ongoing transformation.

“The wooden pallet and container industry is at the heart of the global supply chain, facing evolving challenges—from regulatory pressures to workforce development and emerging technologies. I’m particularly excited about the opportunities ahead, including how artificial intelligence can help our businesses grow and thrive.”

NWPCA continues to strengthen its national and global presence. “NWPCA is not only a national leader, actively engaged in Washington, D.C., but also a global thought leader. With members in 41 countries and marketing partnerships across five regions, our influence continues to expand,” added Hinton. “My experiences visiting pallet mills across Europe, Central America, and South America have given me valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges we face.”

NWPCA President & CEO Brent McClendon welcomed the new leadership team, “Our Board of Directors plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the wooden transport packaging industry. Their leadership and expertise drive innovation and ensure that NWPCA remains a strong advocate for our members. With our updated strategic plan as a guide, I look forward to working with this outstanding group to advance our industry.”

The following individuals were elected and re-elected to the NWPCA Board of Directors:

Newly Elected:

• Alex Battistella, Embalatec Industrial
• Heather Ross, Atlas Pallet Corp
• Fred Vrugteveen, Niagara Pallet

Re-Elected:

• Henry Bowman, C&L Wood Products
• John Dye, James Jones & Sons Pallets and Packaging
• Justin Hegsted, Challenger Pallet & Supply
• Alex Jimenez, Jimenez Pallets
• Bruce Kennedy, PRS Group
• Fernando López Bello, Losifra
• Kate Matz, McVantage Packaging
• Lindsey Snowden, Pallet Logistics of America

During the Board Meeting, the following individuals were elected to the NWPCA Executive Committee for the 2025/2026 term:

• Hinton Howell, Hinton Lumber Products – Chair
• LeRoi Cochran, Relogistics – Chair-Elect
• Jeff Lewis, Atlanta Pallet & Services – Past-Chair
• Scott Vipond, Girard Wood Products – Secretary/Treasurer
• Justin Kamps, Kamps, Inc. – Director at Large

For more information on the NWPCA Board of Directors and ongoing association initiatives, visit www.palletcentral.com.

About NWPCA

The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) is the largest organization of wood packaging professionals globally, with more than 800 company members in 28 countries who manufacture, repair and distribute pallets and wood packaging in unit-load solutions, or who supply products and services to the industry. To learn more about NWPCA, visit palletcentral.com.

Contact:

Annette Ferri – Vice President, Communications – aferri@palletcentral.com – (703) 519-6104 ext. 207

Source: National Wooden Pallet & Container Association