Tune in for insights on the evolving landscape of the forest industry and the steps being taken to adapt to current market challenges.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:48] Business transition in mass timber.

[00:06:11] Restoring forests at scale.

[00:09:42] Writing a book.

QUOTES

• "We're going to work to restore our forests at scale and build the infrastructure to support it."
• "We want to turn the smoke in our air into the buildings of the future."
• "Even though we didn't succeed, you know, from a financial metric, we are leaving behind a history and a series of structures and stories and great things."

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in to learn more about Hilary’s insights and the future of forest restoration efforts.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:41] Public lands management in Washington.

[00:06:04] Sustainable forest management benefits schools.

[00:08:30] Government efficiency and accountability.

[00:12:54] Overcoming fear of failure.

[00:17:35] Collaborative forest management efforts.

[00:22:18] Forest health and restoration.

[00:25:23] Listen, learn, then lead.

[00:29:40] Engaging beyond political divides.

[00:35:02] Forest restoration and wildfire response.

[00:38:10] Forest management perspectives.

[00:43:10] America's forest threats today.

[00:45:48] National wildfire response strategies.

[00:50:00] Active management of national forests.

[00:53:04] Seedling nurseries and reforestation.

QUOTES

• "We have the ability to grow and utilize and be stewards of the land while we're building our schools from products that we created right here in the state." -Russ Vaagen
• "Our forests don't play politics, and we should play politics with our forests." -Hilary Franz
• "The amazing thing about our forests is they are resilient and they reforest themselves." -Russ Vaagen

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

Hilary Franz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HilarySMFranz/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hilaryfranz/?hl=en 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-franz/ 

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

American Forests: https://www.americanforests.org/ 

Tune in for an insightful look at the impacts of wildfires and the ongoing efforts of firefighting crews in the region.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:02] Wildfire and firefighting challenges.

[00:04:43] Wildfire management and private land.

[00:09:08] Firefighting practices and accountability.

[00:12:57] Forest restoration and wildfire management.

[00:17:05] Forest management challenges.

QUOTES

• “The incentive to restore our forests while still maintaining a firefighting force that actually pays more than your job to restore the forest, I think, is a perverse incentive.”
• "The forests need our help. They don't need us to help burn it down."

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

In Episode 18 of Forest To Frame, Russ Vaagen interviews Brian Luoma, former CEO of the Westervelt Company. With over 30 years of experience in the forest industry, Brian shares his insights on sustainable forestry, conservation, and the evolution of the softwood lumber market.

Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on the future of the forest industry and the importance of sustainable practices in creating beautiful spaces.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:02] Brian Luoma's career journey.

[00:07:41] Sustainable forestry and conservation.

[00:08:37] Historical impact of paper bags.

[00:15:42] Demand creation in the lumber industry.

[00:19:01] Industry collaboration for wood promotion.

[00:22:02] Sustainable forest management awareness.

[00:26:58] Incremental demand for wood products.

[00:28:46] Podcast subscription benefits.

QUOTES

• "I can just say what's on my mind and give my own opinion and I don't have to worry so much about what affiliations you're going to think about that." -Brian Luoma
• "That shows you the continuity of a family-held company that's really committed to sustainability and longevity." -Brian Luoma
• "You could, you know, ride off into the sunset, but they're important to you and your contributions are going to be felt for years to come." -Russ Vaagen

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

Brian Luoma

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-luoma-38a50310/ 

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in to learn more about the future of forestry and construction!

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:04] Mass timber and light stick framing.

[00:08:18] Wood checkoff program benefits.

[00:10:16] Promoting renewable wood products.

[00:13:38] Mass timber projects and resources.

QUOTES

• "The higher the value of wood, the more wood we're going to be using; it's going to drive that whole market development."
• "We can build these amazing buildings, and we can do it with this renewable product that's very sustainable."

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in to learn about the potential of mass timber in shaping the future of educational spaces.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:51] Mass timber schools in Washington.

[00:05:36] Local supply and mass timber.

[00:10:04] Mass timber in school construction.

[00:13:20] Mass timber infrastructure development.

QUOTES

• "We have these forests that were put in trust to the state to manage those forests, cut the trees, sell the trees, the logs, material, and use those sales, those proceeds to fund school construction and schools in general in the state of Washington."
• "I want a fair competitive landscape that everyone can do well at, but we need to develop this mass timber infrastructure in the US in a big way because the market's growing."

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in for insights on how these developments impact the future of the forest industry.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:48] New tariffs on mass timber.

[00:07:26] Canadian wood's market advantage.

[00:10:43] Mass timber market challenges.

QUOTES

• "I want competitively priced mass timber. And I want everybody to be playing on a somewhat level playing field."
• "We have been getting unfairly treated because there's been a long dispute on lumber trade between the US and Canada."

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in to learn more about Cooper's background and his role in shaping the future of the forest industry.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:03:16] AI-focused data centers with timber.

[00:06:40] Voice interaction in AI tools.

[00:09:44] AI's impact on business growth.

[00:12:12] Raising capital for growth.

[00:15:23] AI's impact on construction processes.

[00:21:15] Bridging the AI knowledge gap.

[00:23:58] AI tools for business improvement.

[00:26:46] AI's patient nature for learning.

QUOTES

• "I think that one thing that I think is, a real big opportunity is getting the people that are so smart about AI and how to implement it with people like myself and others that are like, doing really big things in an old way." -Russ Vaagen
•  "It'll be eye-opening because you'll be getting questions about your business that you've never had before." -Cooper Simson
• "The beautiful thing about AI is it's patient. It won't judge you." -Cooper Simson

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

Cooper Simson

Email: cooper@danmartell.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coop_doggydog/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cooper-simson-896957

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in for valuable perspectives on navigating the complexities of staffing in the forest industry.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:02:35] Hiring challenges in accounting.

[00:04:44] Risk tolerance in accounting.

[00:10:40] Accounting expertise and cost efficiency.

QUOTES

• “If you're in a business, you need to take some risks.”
• "I think that our job as leaders isn't to hold people back, but you want to have really great people."
• “I've seen more mistakes happen when somebody has tried to skimp on maybe the level of the person and their capabilities and experience versus getting it done right the first time.”

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about the realities of wildfires and their effects on communities and the environment.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:12] Wildfires and their impact.

[00:06:08] Forest management and wildfire.

[00:09:20] Wildfire management infrastructure solutions.

QUOTES

• "The more we can focus on leaving the forest in a condition that will be very similar to what it would have been naturally and in a condition that can withstand wildfire, I think the more people that will be on board with it."
• “Debris is out there that can burn, and how can we positively affect that by removing that debris and turning it into products and economic opportunities and reducing the smoke, turning it into beautiful buildings? I think that's something if we do it right, everybody can get behind.”

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in for an enlightening conversation on the future of the forest industry and the role of mass timber in sustainable building practices.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 - Introduction to Forest to Frame Podcast

00:00:27 - Russ's Trip to the AIA National Convention

00:01:11 - Collaboration with Rockwool and Mass Timber Project

00:02:08 - Presentation at the Convention

00:02:52 - Award for Matz Place Foundation Project

00:04:31 - Importance of Designing for ALS Patients and Families

00:05:03 - Mass Timber's Growing Relevance in Architecture

00:05:35 - Department of Defense and Mass Timber Initiatives

00:06:20 - Reflections on Boston and the Conference Experience

00:07:23 - Future Projects: Matz Place 2.0 and 3.0

00:08:06 - Closing Remarks and Acknowledgments

QUOTES

• "We're looking forward to collaborating with folks on that to do some more projects with the Department of Defense and government contracting in general, because we think it's a great place for mass timber to be used, especially when we're using it from federal forests."
• “It's gonna do more things to expand how we can build not only with mass timber, but also beyond just ADA and wheelchair accessible actually designed for the kind of life that somebody needs to live with whatever ailment they have.”

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in for insights on how these trends are shaping the future of the forest industry.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:10] Real estate market shifts.

[00:08:05] Interest rates and project growth.

[00:09:32] Consistent growth in construction.

QUOTES

• "I'm hopeful that that inflationary pressure is coming off and that we can see interest rates come back down to a level that incites more activity and building in the marketplace."
• "I think that size is moving up, which maybe means that people are getting ready to do more projects."

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in for an insightful conversation about the future of our public lands and the importance of preserving these vital spaces.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:22] Public land management challenges.

[00:06:58] Forest Service wildfire management issues.

[00:09:50] Forest Service's wildfire management issues.

[00:12:19] Forest management and public land.

[00:18:11] Managing public lands effectively.

[00:19:47] Federal forest management perspectives.

QUOTES

• "Why don't we try to create abundance, create more opportunity for each, and do that while we're out there managing the forest?"
• “We've got a genuine opportunity to fix it. And I'm excited that we do. I just hope people start to realize that selling a million and a half acres sounds bad. That's nothing compared to managing the 640 million acres we have.”

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in to discover how these advancements are shaping the future of the forest industry.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:02:35] Timber Sequence Pro software solution.

[00:05:53] Design assist contract benefits.

[00:10:00] Innovative mass timber solutions.

QUOTES

• “There are a lot of people that are using really cool software and different things, but Timber Sequence Pro, we believe, is something that helps us deliver more value to our clients, and we're going to build upon that even more.”
• “We're innovating things at a rapid rate, and there's a good reason to be sure that we're using technology and other things and protecting the things that we come up with that are unique to us.”

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in to understand how the A to Z project is paving the way for a brighter future in forest management and the role of mass timber in building sustainable communities.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:10] A to Z project success.

[00:04:37] Forest Service project challenges.

[00:09:10] Forest management project success.

[00:15:18] Large-scale forest management solutions.

[00:17:15] Healthy forests and industry growth.

QUOTES

• "We need to focus on interests rather than positions and abundance rather than scarcity."
• "If we agree as a community that these forests should be managed, and we can cross those items off that are contentious, we need to move forward and accelerate and create healthy forests and great products."

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune into the future of biomass energy and its role in creating sustainable power solutions.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:39] Biomass power generation opportunities.

[00:07:12] Biomass for energy generation.

[00:09:39] Biomass energy and its benefits.

[00:12:38] Biomass energy and environmental impact.

QUOTES

• “We are under-utilizing the material in our forests at a scale that would drive most people crazy if they really knew.”
• “What we need to do is thin the forest, leave the appropriate level of trees, the right species that are supposed to be there, so they can get to what's called their late cereal stage and become an old-growth tree eventually.”

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in as we explore the beauty and functionality of glulam in creating sustainable building solutions.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:34] Glulam beams in mass timber.

[00:07:50] Wood repair techniques in construction.

[00:09:18] Glulam in mass timber construction.

QUOTES

• “We are trying to minimize any filler or repairs that need to be made. So we're using a little bit better quality lumber.”
• “People think the architectural is the highest you can get, and really, from a grade standpoint, it is. But there are opportunities, and we're helping create those to create a premium glue lamp that can go into a traditionally built home or small commercial building, or any building for that matter.”

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in for insights that bridge the gap between forestry and construction!

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:07] Lumber moisture content importance.

[00:05:28] Cross-laminated timber benefits.

[00:12:19] Lumber drying quality differences.

[00:13:02] Cost-saving construction techniques.

QUOTES

• "The beauty of cross-laminated timber is that you are putting the layers in long ways, and then you put another layer in this way, so it's not shrinking in the same direction."
• “It's really important to get that moisture content as close to the end installation point as possible. But that's also a little bit tricky, too. And I think it's a place that we are learning more about as an industry, both in the building industry, construction, and design.”

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in to learn how these practices not only benefit the environment but also contribute to beautiful spaces in our communities.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:34] Mass timber and forest management.

[00:06:09] Mass timber construction benefits.

[00:10:41] Mass timber efficiency and benefits.

[00:12:38] Podcast subscription and reviews.

QUOTES

• “We've been creating a few different forest certifications to kind of attach a sign of good sustainability to the product so people can feel comfortable when they're buying it.”
• “We're finding more and more people are gravitating towards mass timber. And I think in the future, what we're gonna see is more people combining some materials. So we're seeing more hybrid structures. So, as much as we love wood, wood is not the perfect material for all things.”

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in to learn about the essential balance between restoration efforts and wildfire management to create sustainable forest environments.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:10] Forest restoration and wildfire management.

[00:06:36] Forest restoration benefits and practices.

QUOTES

• “Leave the biggest and best trees behind. Leave a forest that looks like, or maybe the trees are a little smaller because they've been overstocked, but leave a right amount of spacing and the right types of trees so now when they grow larger, the forest can withstand that wildfire.”
• “We really encourage our federal land managers to do a lot more of that (Forest Restoration Projects). And we try to understand that by incentivizing or asking for that product, we are now restoring more acres of our forests.”

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Tune in to explore how restoring forests can create beautiful spaces and the impact of community-driven forestry practices.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:02:42] Economic benefits of forest management.

[00:06:27] Sustainable forest management practices.

[00:10:29] Forest health and mass timber.

[00:13:20] Forest restoration benefits everyone.

QUOTES

• “The secret is that technology is such now where primarily all sawmills are using smaller diameter trees than the large ones. But the other thing is we're doing things in such a better way and the market likes it.”
• "It's not just the timber industry and the buildings, but it's the environment. It's recreation. It's the communities."

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Russ Vaagen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russvaagen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russ.vaagen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-vaagen-9246729/

WEBSITE

Vaagen Timbers, LLC: https://vaagentimbers.com/

Welcome to Forest to Frame, the podcast that explores the connection between forest restoration and modern timber construction. I’m Russ Vaagen, and in this series, we’ll dive into how science, collaboration, and cutting-edge sawmilling technology are transforming the way we manage forests—and how we build with wood.

Every year, millions of acres of forests are at risk from catastrophic wildfires. But by using the byproducts of restoration to create high-quality lumber for cross-laminated timber, Glulam, and mass timber construction, we’re not just reducing fire risk—we’re creating stronger, more sustainable buildings, powering local industries, and redefining what’s possible with wood."

Join me as we talk to the innovators, builders, and land stewards making it happen. This is more than a conversation about trees—it’s about the future of our forests, our communities, and the places we call home.

Subscribe now and be part of the movement from Forest to Frame.