Ross Whipple

I am a proud alumnus of Henderson State and, following my graduate work, returned to Clark County to build my career and my family.  Today, I serve as chairman of the Ross Foundation, chairman of the board of Summit Bank, and run a timber management company, Horizon Timber Services, Inc.   I am also the managing general partner of the Whipple Family Limited Partnership. This is a separate set of lands that are considered to be a charitable asset.  We manage these lands like a mini-national forest.  Since 1970, we've grown from 18,000 acres to about 65,000 acres through acquisitions. 

There are a lot of macro elements affecting the forestry industry here in Clark County.  We've all read about home sales declining, and much of the material that goes into a home is lumber.  And as the economy slows down, the demand for pulp products, like paper, corrugated board and cardboard goes down as well.  And this industry, to put it mildly, is depressed.  We're selling our products for forty percent less than we sold it for about twenty-four to thirty months ago.  But, that's the industry.  If you don't like volatility, you won't like this industry.  But, it is probably as depressed as it has been in my adult life and it will turn around.  It's all about supply and demand. 

There are multiple new uses for wood products on the horizon.  One that is just beginning to be explored is the development of bio-fuels or alternative means to produce electricity.  This will probably be bigger than people think.  I believe we have more barrels of oil growing above the ground than we ever had below the ground.  The technology is there, and it is being developed, it's just a matter of getting there.  I think the best use of wood products as an alternative source of energy lies in its ability to generate electricity because that can be transported anywhere throughout the grid.  With bio-fuels, you still have to transport it and use other fuel to move it.  In my opinion, it would be better to turn it into electricity. 

I cut my teeth in the woods.  Those trees don't talk back to you.  Here in Clark County, the strong history of the forestry industry as well as the future growth excites me.  Macro speaking, I think we're in a long-term period of slow growth.  But, the future is extremely bright.  The industry will rebound.