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Station Leadership
FPL Organization chart (10/02/2012)
The Directors Office
 Michael T. RainsActing FPL Director |
Throughout its 100-plus years of public service, The Forest Products Laboratory has conducted innovative wood and fiber utilization research that contributes to the conservation and productivity of forest resources and sustainably to meet the needs of people for forest products.
Today, as in the past, America's forests are an essential asset that can help our nation work through important issues such as achieving energy security, revitalizing our economy in the 21st Century, creating jobs, successfully competing in the global economy, and sequestering carbon with forest products. |
 Theodore H. WegnerAssistant Director & Acting FPL Director's Representative |
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The Forest Products Laboratory is working toward new utilizations of science and technology to better help us with the preceding issues, along with three other important areas where forest biomass utilization contributes to:
Emerging research at FPL includes developing advanced structures and green buildings, deriving energy and useful chemicals from forest biomass, creating advanced composite materials and technologies, and exploring the unique properties of wood on the nanoscale. Foundational research areas include finding uses for woody biomass to improve forest health and boost rural economies, recycling and reuse of wood and paper products, and contributing to the development of codes and standards for wood-based construction and products. |
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Eleanor M. Pape - Executive Assistant |
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Wood, Fiber and Composites Research
| Ted Wegner, Assistant Director | Jane D. Kohlman, Administrative Assistant |
| In addition to acting as FPL Director's Representative, Ted Wegner has been an Assistant Director of the Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) since 1989 and currently oversees the units that comprise the Wood, Fiber and Composites Research group. Wegner has been instrumental within the Forest Service and forest Products industry in advancing nanotechnology and the forest biorefinery concepts. He is a member of the Technical Association of the Forest Products Industry, the Forest Products Society, the Society of Wood Science and Technology, the Pulp and Paper Education and Research Alliance, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the American Chemical Society, the Materials Research Society, Sigma Xi--the North American Research Society, and Alpha Chi Sigma-Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Fraternity. Wegner holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin (BS) and the University of Illinois (MS/PhD). | |
Units
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Wood Products Research
| Michael A. Ritter, Assistant Director | Judy V. Wegner, Administrative Assistant |
As the Assistant Director for Wood Products Research group at FPL, Mike provides program oversight for the units conducting research in the areas of wood anatomy, wood engineering, biodeterioration of wood, protection from decay, fire, and weathering, and evaluation of the economics of wood utilization. He also heads the Advanced Housing Research Center at the Forest Products Laboratory which evaluates and develops technology for both new and existing housing in which wood and/or wood-based products are used as primary or secondary building components. Mike is a registered Professional Engineer in the states of Alaska and Wisconsin.
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Units
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Administration
| Lon Yeary, Assistant Director | Judy V. Wegner, Administrative Assistant |
Lon Yeary joined the Forest Products Laboratory in May 2009 after 30 years in the United States Marine Corps. While in the Marine Corps Lon commanded a tactical Marine Corps Helicopter Squadron and a national unit responsible for enforcing mental, physical and moral enlistment standards for the Department of Defense. His career provided opportunities to develop skills in areas such as leadership, operations, safety, training, information technology, aviation and human capital management. Lon is a proven leader with ability to build high performance organizations and solve complex issues. Lon is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy (BS Oceanography), the Naval Postgraduate School (MS Computer Science) and the Marine Corps Command and Staff College (MS Military Studies).
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| Units | |
For more information about FPL's Research Emphasis Areas...
| - FPL's Mission and Strategic Plan - |
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FPL's mission is to identify and conduct innovative wood and fiber utilization research that contributes to conservation and productivity of the forest resource, thereby sustaining forests, the economy, and quality of life. ... ..more » |
| - FPL Research Emphasis Areas - |
Advanced Composites
As an integral part of the FPL mission, we improve the long-term sustainability of our Nation's forests by creating valuable composite products from biobased materials ... ..more » 
Advanced Structures
The FPL has been in the forefront of wood-frame housing research since 1910 and has long been recognized as a world leader in such housing-related areas as engineered wood ... ..more » 
Forest Biorefinery
We all know the compelling reasons that the United States needs to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Historically, the greatest increases in energy demand have been for transportation fuels ... ..more » 
Nanotechnology
A leader in wood products research for over a century, the FPL is positioning itself to become the lead Federal research facility for the application of nanotechnology in forest products ... more » 
Woody Biomass Utilization
Forests in the United States contain a substantial amount of small-diameter, overstocked, and underutilized material.FPL research projects are exploring the potential of the small-diameter ... ..more » |