John Stephens, president and CEO of VacDry Kilns, recently announced the appointment of Mark Long as Sales Engineer West. In his new position, Long will be responsible for the development of new sales opportunities and servicing of existing accounts in the Western United States. In addition, he will participate in new installations, as well as research and development of the company’s line of vacuum kilns.

With more than 30 years of experience in the lumber industry, Long most recently served as green end production manager for Warm Springs Forest Products, Inc. in Warm Springs, OR. Prior to that he held various supervisory positions for major companies in the industry, including mill management, sales, logistics, and quality control. In addition, Long has extensive background in kiln operations in Southern wood products plants. He will work out of Madras, OR and report to R. Lynn Forsberg, VacDry manager of operations.

Dennis Socling recently spoke about VacDry Kilns and the science of vacuum drying at the Ohio Valley Lumber Drying Association's Spring Meeting held at the Holiday Inn Hurstbourne in Louisville, Kentucky on April 24 & 25, 2008.

Dennis heads the VacDry R&D/Demonstration Facility and serves as president of Process Control Specialties Inc. He has more than 20 years experience working with vacuum kiln technology.

Bill Hull, VacDry marketing manager, recently completed the Basics of Drying Hardwood Lumber course presented by the NHLA.