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STEVE ANTHONY NAMED ATI PRESIDENT
John E Anthony, President of Anthony Timberlands, Inc. since
its inception in 1973, and before that Bearden Lumber Company
since 1961, announced that he was stepping away from the day
to day operations of both companies effective June 15, 2004.
Steven M Anthony, formerly Vice President - Pine Operations
was named to succeed him in that capacity. John E Anthony
will serve as Chairman of the Board and will continue to play an
active role in the affiars of the company. James R Green will
remain as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
and Director of Marketing at ATI.
John E Anthony took over management of Bearden Lumber Company
and its associated timberlands upon the death of his father,
Edwin "Ted" Anthony in 1961, under the tutelage of his grandfather
and company founder Garland Anthony. He presided over several stages of expansion
and improvement to the Bearden plantsite before dramatically increasing the
size of the family operations through the purchase of pine sawmills in Benton and Malvern
in the early 70s. These would become the basis for what is now Anthony Timberlands, Inc.
In 1981, Anthony took the bold step of purchasing a hardwood sawmill in Beirne,
Arkansas from International Paper Company. Though hardwood markets had been depressed
for some time, the move allowed Bearden Lumber Company to discontinue its
part time production of hardwood and gave the family an outlet for the hardwood timber
and pulpwood produced from its land holdings. The Beirne sawmill has since been built
into one of the ten biggest hardwood sawmills in the United States, and expansion
continues. In 1998, he purchased the Fordyce plantsite in order to supplement Beirne's
predryer and kiln capacity.
In 1988, in recognition of the expanding role of the treating
industry in the southern pine lumber market, Anthony ordered the formation of
Anthony Wood Treating , Inc (AWT). This act of vertical integration not only
was a success as it relates to the performance of AWT, but also benefited the
pine operations under the management of ATI.
Throughout the years, Anthony has continually pursued a program
of timberland acquisition, roughly doubling the acerage under family ownership.
This strategy has played a key role in maintaining the viability of the company during
sustained periods of market weakness, such as those experienced in recent years.
"During my 43 years as head of the company I have enjoyed my relations
with thousands of hard working men and women and thank all of you for
the support and confidence you have shown me" Anthony related. "I know that same support
will help Steve in the management of the company."
Steven M Anthony came to work at ATI upon his graduation fron University of Arkansas School
of Law in 1986, but in actuality, he has been involved with Bearden Lumber Company since he was
old enough to drive to the mill from his home in Fordyce. After school and during summers, Anthony spent time in the
green sorting department, the planer mill, the old hardwood yard, the old pallet mill, the shop,
and in the forestry department.
"I'll never forget working on the old green chain when I was 16 years old", he said. "it was certainly
all the motivation I needed to continue my education."
Upon graduating from Fordyce High School, he attended college and graduated from Washington and Lee University in
Lexington, Virginia, before attending law school in Fayetteville and passing the bar exam soon after.
Anthony assumed the role of Vice President - Legal Affairs upon returning to the company in 1986.
He added the title and responsibilities of Vice President - Pine Operations in 1995. He has served
as President of the Arkansas Forestry Association and of the Southern Forest Products Association.
He is currently Chairman of the Arkansas Forestry Commission and serves on the Board of Directors at Bank of
Bearden. He resides in Fordyce with his wife Gay and sons Addison(17) and Wilson(14).
"In the years I've been with ATI, I've seen the company continually grow into what is now, a major
force in the industry. This is a testament to Dad's foresight and his dedication toward keeping ATI
on the cutting edge of manufacturing technology and market opportunities," Anthony related. "Most
importantly, however, have been the people with which he has surrounded himself. ATI has been fortunate
to enjoy the services of some of the finest people around and that continues to be the case today.
I just hope that I'm half the judge of character that he has been."
In addition to a broad oversight role as Chairmen of the Board, John E Anthony will continue to
exercise control over timberland management and have a role in timber procurement.
"It continues to be a great pleasure for me to observe the operations of our companies and mills. They have been
my life's work for the past 43 years. I hope to continue to be active in the company for many years to come
and watch our operations continue to grow and prosper under Steve's leadership."
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