Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of the Northeast Holds 31st Annual Meeting

COURTESY OF THE PROFESSIONAL LOGGING CONTRACTORS (PLC) OF THE NORTHEAST

The Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of the Northeast held its 31^st Annual Meeting May 7-8, raising $134,610 for Log A Load For Kids and presenting awards to businesses and individuals from across Maine, Vermont, and New York for their contributions to the logging industry.

The meeting was held at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, with more than 200 people attending the main events on Friday. This was the third annual meeting of the PLC since its expansion in 2023 from a Maine organization to a regional one serving loggers and forest truckers across the Northeast.

The annual meeting is the PLC’s largest event and highlighted by the Log A Load for Kids Auction raising money for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) which goes to hospitals in Maine, Vermont and New York. Families served by the hospitals were in attendance for the event, which also marked a major milestone — the PLC’s Log A Load efforts have now raised more than $3 million since 1995. 

“This special group of people always steps up when it comes to supporting the kids and their families, and I am proud they came through once again in spite of the

difficult year the industry has had to help us reach the $3 million mark on total funds raised since this effort began more than three decades ago,” Dana Doran, Executive Director of the PLC, said. “No matter how tough things get, our members, supporters, and friends reach deep every year at our Log A Load for Kids Auction to support the children and families served by Children’s Miracle Network. I am so grateful for the generosity shown here, and I know the families and the hospitals are grateful as well.”

The Annual Meeting spanned two days, beginning Thursday with a tour of Vinalhaven island including stops at a wind farm, lighthouse, historic granite quarry, and a local brewery, and an evening social gathering at the Samoset Resort.

The second day began with a panel featuring candidates for Maine governor followed by a business meeting for all PLC Member contractors, with board and officer elections, and then a special presentation by Matt O’Malia of Timber HP that was also attended by Maine Governor Janet Mills.

The evening events included the traditional Log A Load for Kids Auction, dinner, and the PLC awards ceremony. PLC’s special guest for the evening, Maine native and two-time Olympic gold medalist Seth Wescott, took part in the auction and donated items for it.

Awards were presented to the following individuals and organizations during the evening portion of the event: 

PLC Logger of the Year Awards: These awards recognize PLC Logging Contractors for their commitment to the sustainability of the industry and logging as a profession. This year for the third time the award went to two companies, one from Maine and one from Vermont. The winners are: Southwind Forestry of Pawlet, Vermont; and T. Condon Timber Harvesting of Ashland, Maine.

PLC Community Service Award: This award is given annually to a PLC member, Supporting Member or affiliated organization that has demonstrated a significant commitment to giving back to their community. The winner this year is: TNT Road Company Inc. of Fort Kent, Maine.

PLC Supporting Member Award: The PLC Supporting Member of the Year Award is presented annually to a PLC Supporting Member that has demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to logging contractors in Maine. The winner this year is: Pro Pac Industries of Saint-Côme–Linière, Quebec.

PLC President’s Award: The President’s Award is presented to individuals or organizations within the PLC which have a significant and positive impact on the PLC and the logging industry in Maine. The winner this year is: Peter Collins, Sales Manager for Milton CAT.

PLC Impact Award: Each year, the PLC recognizes persons or organizations from the public sector who have demonstrated a commitment to the logging industry and made a significant impact for its improvement. This year the award goes to: The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

Master Logger Supporter’s Awards: The Master Logger Supporter’s Awards were created to recognize individuals and organizations that have been outstanding supporters of the Master Logger Certification Program® and the standard it represents. The winner this year is: The New York Watershed Agricultural Council.

PLC Supporting Member Acadia Insurance presented its annual Acadia Safety Award to Scott Madden of Madden Timberlands Inc. of Glenburn, Maine.