It’s never easy to say “see ya soon” (not goodbye) to valued team members, but the Southern Forest Products Association has done just that with Linda Patch, SFPA’s administrative assistant and program coordinator retiring effective October 31, 2024, after 27 years (and a few months) with the association.
Linda’s first stint, from October 1990 to December 2010, mostly in a secretarial role. But don’t be fooled by that title.
Linda was instrumental in helping with SFPA’s meetings, from registrations to workbooks to coordinating activities and everything in between. She also worked with the mailroom to ensure SFPA’s weekly printed newsletter was prepared, printed, and delivered on time to thousands of contacts (this is before email newsletters, so imagine the work!) and even spent time in the SFPA’s technical resource library.
“During COVID-19, Linda and I had many meetings on my front porch, including discussions of international reports and signing checks,” said Tami Kessler, a past SFPA executive director who started with the association in 1976 whom Linda worked closely with until Tami’s retirement in 2021. “I don’t think she’ll miss taking minutes of meetings, processing international expense reports, answering the phone, or printing thousands of labels to be applied to newsletter envelopes every Friday.”
Linda left SFPA for a few years, during which time she worked for a veterinarian. She also had a side cleaning business with Bill, and they even cleaned the original SFPA offices at 2900 Indiana during this time.
Linda triumphantly returned to SFPA in January 2017, this time as an administrative assistant and program coordinator.
Again, don’t focus on the title. Linda was the front line for incoming communications, whether that was from members, potential new members, vendors, or global buyers of Southern Pine lumber – really anyone looking for Southern Pine lumber resources!
Beyond the standard administrative assistant-related work, which everyone knows keeps an office running, she also compiled and distributed the monthly Southern Pine lumber production data and domestic and international trade leads; assisted in coordinating domestic and international meetings and events, including registrations, supply shipping, and hotel accommodations; and coordinated and compiled SFPA’s Board of Directors meetings and workbooks, respectively.
“Linda, working alongside you since 1997 has been such a privilege. Your unwavering commitment to SFPA and our members is truly inspiring,” said SFPA Executive Director Eric Gee, whom Linda served as secretary for during her first stint with the SFPA. “Many of our members got their first impression of our association through you, and they couldn’t have met a more dedicated, kind, and knowledgeable face of SFPA.”
Her work didn’t stop there. She also was a cornerstone of SFPA’s international program, where she organized travel for SFPA members participating in Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)-funded events, including registration, travel information and guidelines distribution, matching funds reports, and other duties as assigned; generate the annual event calendar, including maintaining and communicating to members throughout the year; and processed nearly 100 international expense reports following FAS guidelines each year (no small task when complying with government guidance).
Linda also supported SFPA’s accounting, from coding all invoices to reviewing and verifying all expense reports.
So what’s Linda going to do in retirement?
While she readily says she won’t miss the work (we know she’ll miss some of it), Linda fondly remembers every SFPA meeting where she could network and spend time with our members. One specific meeting in Ft. Myers, Florida, entailed Linda going on a fishing excursion with Mike Sims and Matt Vallence with Porter Engineering and Mike Hubbard with Optimil. Details are on a need-to-know basis!
Linda always enjoyed when the SFPA staff would visit member sawmills, not only because they were educational but because they were fun. Memories of a van stuck in the middle of nowhere and McGuires for dinner with staff kissing the moose and just a few that stick out for her.
She dreams of visiting Italy, Ireland, and even Scotland, but her immediate plans with her newfound time include gardening and house projects.
Linda loves motorcycles, though she doesn’t ride anymore, and her dogs, especially Riley and Hudson. Anyone who’s met or worked with Linda knows her dogs are her babies. And if you’re looking for football commentary or Monday morning quarterbacking, look no further than Linda’s game-day play-by-play reactions and coaching assists during LSU, Saints, and Steelers games.
What They Said…
I worked with Linda in a variety of capacities while I was at SFPA for 13 years. No matter the task or job request, she performed the job exceptionally well, efficiently, and always had a smile on her face. Linda was truly a joy to work with and a person who could be counted on to do her best! A wonderful team player and personal friend that I am so happy to have had time with during my career!
- Jeff Easterling, former SFPA vice president of marketing and current executive director of the Northeast Lumber Manufacturers Association
Linda is my co-worker, friend, therapist, and partner-in-crime, and she always helped me to “get it together.” She truly is one of SFPA’s “Legends of the Association.” Our members always love talking with Linda over the phone and at our many very memorable association meetings and Expos. She will be greatly missed every day. Happy Retirement Linda! Well deserved!
- Rachel Elton, SFPA accountant
You’ve been a team player through every challenge, and your friendship has been a constant source of support, especially during the tough times. You always spoke your mind — something I’ve come to admire. Thank you for being a strong ally, an honest voice, and a true friend. Wishing you all the happiness in this next chapter!
- Eric Gee, SFPA executive director
After decades of navigating through the underworld of Access, arguing with the printer, and enduring the endless search for a Y fare comparison, Linda is finally calling it quits. We’ll miss her contagious and explosive laugh, hilarious tales from the old SFPA days, and charming wit flaunted full-on at EXPO. While we’re sad to see her go, we’re also a little relieved that Bill will now be the one to have to deal with her stash of peanut butter crackers and ring of Facebook gossip.
- Alaina Hanson, SFPA director of administration
Working with Linda these past few months has been a wonderful experience, and she has taught me so much about SFPA. I still have lots to learn, but she has passed down a snippet of her wealth of knowledge regarding this organization. I know our travelers and members will miss working with Linda – as well as myself and our team! I wish her the best retirement and future and know she will continue to be a part of the SFPA family! Cheers to you, Linda!
- Katie Kopf, SFPA administrative assistant and program coordinator (also Linda’s replacement!)
I’m not sure where to begin about Linda. While I only had the honor of working with Linda during her final two years with SFPA, it felt like a lifetime – a good lifetime! While there was never a shortage of laughs (we both have the same rough sense of humor), she was always a great sounding board. And for someone who had never worked in the forest products industry or an association, Linda was a wealth of information, historical and operational, that I’m not sure I could have succeeded without. Linda, you will be truly missed, not just by me and the staff, but our members and the SFPA community.
- Christian Moises, SFPA communications manager
Thank you very much, for all your help and support during all these years. My most appreciated memory from you is the big and warm hug that you gave me when we met in person for the first time. That hug was a great example of your kindness. I’m really happy having worked with you, we’re going to miss you! Enjoy your retirement!
- Gabriela Sandoval, SFPA international consultant with American Softwoods
I had the pleasure of dealing with Linda on an almost daily basis and throughout our relationship. She was unfailingly good-humoured, humourous, helpful, and tolerant of the frequent mistakes in my expenses, which she always corrected with good grace. We shared a common back problem, and I credit her with helping me to avoid back surgery, for which I am grateful. She also enjoyed a party and was often the life and soul of an evening. Linda, welcome to retirement. Come on in, the water’s lovely!
- Charles Trevor, retired SFPA international consultant with American Softwoods
Best wishes for the happiest of retirements! Working with you through all the meetings, EXPOs, and other events truly was a highlight of my SFPA days. Whenever I needed something, you delivered. Now, you can relax, take some time off, and be so proud of your contributions to the Association over so many years. Certainly, you will be missed!
- Richard Wallace, retired SFPA vice president of communications