United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service	Southern Research Station 200 Weaver Boulevard P.O. Box 2680 Asheville, NC 28802
	Date:   February 5, 2002; Science Contact:   News Release Contact: Melissa Carlson Phone: 828-257-4849 mcarlson01@fs.fed.us

Les Groom Named Project Leader For Southern Research Station Wood Products Utilization Research Unit In Pineville

(Asheville, NC) Southern Research Station Director Pete Roussopoulos has named Leslie Groom as the Project Leader for the Wood Products Utilization Research Work Unit. Dr. Groom has been a Research Forest Products Technologist with the USDA Forest Service in Pineville since 1989. Dr. Roussopoulos said, "we are very pleased to have Les move into this position at the Southern Research Station; he has a strong background in research and working with cooperators on efficient design of manufactured wood products. Efficient wood utilization, and reuse, are important to sustaining our forests and I look to Les for leadership in this area."

"There have been and will continue to be increasing demands on southern forests for timber, wildlife, and recreation," said Dr. Groom. "Our research unit has a long tradition of determining the most efficient use of our natural resources to minimize impact on forests. I am extremely honored to be able to advance our knowledge of the forest while maintaining our stewardship of the land."

Dr. Groom holds a B.S. in Wood Science and Technology from Colorado State University, and earned his M.S. in Wood Mechanics from Oregon State University. He received his Ph.D. in Wood Mechanics from Oregon State University in 1988.

The USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station is responsible for research and development related to forested ecosystems throughout the 13 Southern States.

For additional information: contact Les Groom at 318-473-7267
E-mail: lgroom@fs.fed.us.

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