Tom Shandy has over 22 years of combined experience developing leaders in business, storied military organizations, and as an educator. His unique background enables him to communicate proven leadership principles to a variety of audiences expertly.

Specially educated in strategy and design thinking, Tom has developed plans to align large organizations to implement new strategies and policies. He has built cohesive teams amongst multi-national partners from across the globe to develop and achieve key objectives. In addition, he has experience with curriculum and faculty development for educational institutions across the department of defense.

Tom also has a unique background in developing business leaders. After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University, he began his tenure as the program director for a successful small business chain.

He selected and trained new supervisors, resulting in dynamic growth and national recognition as program director of the year.

Tom’s diverse background allows him to be an expert in employing the art and science of leadership to maximize team cohesion and performance. He translates executive key objectives into plans and strategies that can be easily understood and executed to get results. His education and training allow him to identify organizational friction and design unique and grounded solutions.

Tom has advanced degrees in Adult Learning and Leadership from Kansas State University and Operations from the School of Advanced Military Studies.

Tom Shandy has over 22 years of combined experience developing leaders in business, storied military organizations, and as an educator. His unique background enables him to communicate proven leadership principles to a variety of audiences expertly.

Specially educated in strategy and design thinking, Tom has developed plans to align large organizations to implement new strategies and policies. He has built cohesive teams amongst multi-national partners from across the globe to develop and achieve key objectives. In addition, he has experience with curriculum and faculty development for educational institutions across the department of defense.

Tom also has a unique background in developing business leaders. After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University, he began his tenure as the program director for a successful small business chain.

He selected and trained new supervisors, resulting in dynamic growth and national recognition as program director of the year.

Tom’s diverse background allows him to be an expert in employing the art and science of leadership to maximize team cohesion and performance. He translates executive key objectives into plans and strategies that can be easily understood and executed to get results. His education and training allow him to identify organizational friction and design unique and grounded solutions.

Tom has advanced degrees in Adult Learning and Leadership from Kansas State University and Operations from the School of Advanced Military Studies.

Amber Selko’s 24 years of professional leadership experience include leading, training, mentoring, and coaching highly diverse teams in both the civilian and military sectors. Selected to lead elite teams across the globe to assess for, and advise U.S. Army commanders on, emerging threats and capability gaps. Her areas of expertise include emergency point of injury/illness care and evacuation skills and procedures, strategic planning, vulnerability/threat assessment, capability development, and organizational standards and procedures.

Amber is also well-versed in cross-organizational communication and coordination activities with extensive experience establishing, maintaining, and updating organizational policies, programs, and systems. Her experience includes managing multi-million dollar equipment and resources across the globe along with the health, welfare, and safety of her teams. Her experience and success in these arenas highlight her dedication to cultivating excellence and embodying service leadership.

A decorated U.S. Army veteran Amber is a graduate of the Army Sergeant Major Academy. She has a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Park University and a B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from UCONN.

Mike Maloney brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to the Solutions 21 team. A recently retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, Mike served within the Special Operations community leading and commanding organizations in combat throughout his career. He is humbled to have served alongside some of the most talented special operators in our military.

Serving in exceptional organizations has provided Mike the opportunity to learn, grow, and lead surrounded by experienced mentors and talented practitioners. He learned that at the core of every successful project, program, or initiative is a strong organizational culture founded upon bringing together the right people and empowering them to explore and create opportunity. Mike served in the 82nd Airborne Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and the 7th Special Forces Group.

He culminated his career with the privilege to command within a Special Mission Unit comprised of uniquely screened and selected individuals who had previously demonstrated success operating in high-stress, ambiguous, and dangerous environments. In this role, he was responsible for resourcing and conducting sensitive activities and clandestine operations throughout the world.

Mike is a graduate from the National Defense University with a Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies and a graduate of Truman State University with a Bachelor of Arts in History.

Mike lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with his wife and son where they find it perpetually warm and beautiful.

Keith Allbritten has held various leadership positions throughout his career. Before coming on board with Solutions 21, he served as Chief Operating Officer, where he led 1100 employees across numerous company divisions, including logistics, operations, IT, finance, and human resources.

Keith has directed strategic planning efforts and led multiple projects at every level in the company. As a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Keith dealt with a range of issues, to include change management, employee relations, retention, talent management, leader development, succession planning, unions, investigations, audits, and inspections. His enterprise CEO ranked Keith’s organization as #1 of 90 across the country.

Through authentic and transparent leadership, Keith raised employee engagement to its highest levels in 15 years. This points to his passion of coaching and developing leaders at all levels, from front- line supervisors to C-suite executives. This passion continues in his current position as Leadership Consultant for Solutions 21.

Keith is a graduate of Murray State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and English. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Business from Webster University.

A retired Army Colonel, Matt served for over 28 years in numerous leadership positions, operational assignments, and combat deployments across the globe. He exercised organizational leadership from the tactical to operational level as a Squadron Commander, Brigade Combat Team Commander, Division Operations Officer, and Division Chief of Staff. His transformational leadership approach suited him well as he led organizations in the United States, Europe, Iraq, and Afghanistan in the most complex environments.

Matt’s expertise is defined by a focused determination to develop leaders and organizations to realize their vast potential through a combination of emotional intelligence, empathy, and teamwork. He is a strategic thinker that organized and led cross-functional teams during both military service and business to understand the environment, assess the impacts of risk, and design organizational approaches to solve complex problems.

During transition from military service, Matt continued his emphasis on servant leadership as a Corporate Fellow with Solutions 21. He provided deliverables on several projects including market expansion, government contracts, and complex problem solving. Matt was subsequently certified as an executive coach through a rigorous program based on developing organizational leaders and corporate strategy. Following retirement from the Army, he served as the President of a defense contracting and consulting firm in Colorado Springs where he focused on various lines of business including operations, strategy, mergers and acquisition, and business development. Most recently, Matt started an LLC with an emphasis on leadership consulting and executive coaching.

Matt is a graduate of Northeastern University with degrees in Biology and Philosophy. He holds a master’s degree in Human Relations from University of Oklahoma, a master’s degree in Operational Design from the School for Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), and a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, where he focused on the strategic challenges posed by China. Additionally, Matt studied at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where he was certified in Crisis Leadership under the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative (NPLI) Program.

Matt resides in Colorado Springs with his wife Cindy, daughter Taylor, and two sons Zach and Jake.

NatalieMartin Monroe is the Vice President of Talent, Engagement and SustainabilityOperations for RoyOMartin and a member of the Strategic Action Leadership Team(SALT).  She also serves as the CorporateSecretary for the Martin Sustainable Resources (MSR) Board of Directors. As afourth-generation leader, Natalie began her career at RoyOMartin working as an intern at thehome office for many summers and then served as a land surveyor intern duringthe construction of the plywood facility in 1995.  After graduating college, she worked as anenvironmental consultant before joining the company as the CorporateEnvironmental Manager in July 2003. She then served as the Vice President ofEnvironmental, Safety and Sustainability Operations from 2022 to 2026.  She is a 1998 graduate of VanderbiltUniversity and holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree specializing in civil andenvironmental engineering. She also earned a Master of Business Administrationfrom Louisiana State University in 2002.

In her talent,engagement and sustainability role at RoyOMartin, Natalie drives people,culture and sustainability strategies across the company.  She oversees the development and execution ofintegrated programs that strengthen employee engagement, enhance the company’sreputation, attract and retain top talent and ensure long-term environmentaland social responsibility.  She alsoserves as Treasurer of the Martin Foundation, where she manages employee anddependent scholarships to colleges and universities across Louisiana and Texas.

Natalie isthe recipient of the STEP Ahead Women in Manufacturing award, which shereceived in 2017.  She also received the“20 under 40” Young Professional Group award in 2016.  In 2025, she was recognized as a 40’s DistinguishedWoman of the Year by the YWCA.

Natalieserved on the Martin Family Council Steering Committee from 2006 to 2013 asVice President and then as President.  Natalieis past President of the Alexandria Country Day School Board of Trustees andpast President of the YMCA board.  She isalso a sustaining member of the Junior League of Alexandria and a member andgreeter at Calvary Baptist Church.  Shecurrently serves as President of the American Cancer Society board forLouisiana, is a member of the Keep Louisiana Beautiful board and serves asSecretary of the CenLA Strong Political Action Committee.  In her free time, she is a Body Pumpinstructor at Louisiana Athletic Club.  Whenshe is not working or volunteering, she loves spending time with her husband,Darryl, and their four children, Ryan, Raegan, Parker and Pierson.  

Minnesota born and raised, Allie Emch is the Talent Acquisition Manager at Forest City Trading Group (FCTG), supporting recruiting efforts across multiple companies throughout the U.S. and Canada. She is passionate about connecting driven, competitive individuals with careers in the forest products industry and encouraging more people to see themselves in an industry full of opportunity.

 A former college soccer player, Allie still brings a competitive mindset to both work and life. Outside of recruiting, she enjoys hosting friends and family, lake weekends, carbs in all forms, and a good episode of Dateline.

Joy is a 25-year veteran in the building materials industry working as a trader for Sherwood Lumber. Starting as an Executive Assistant to the CEO she was put on the sales floor a year later and has been there ever since. She is also one of the top performing salespeople at Sherwood. Joy was a board member of New York’s Natl Assoc of Women In Construction where she served in multiple roles.

She is currently working on publishing a book empowering women on how to be successful in male populated spaces. 

Judy Haney works as a region commodity procurement manager for Boise Cascade Building Materials Distribution. Her responsibilities include helping develop new products with home center sales teams, supervising home center procurement specialists, overseeing external remanufacturing contracts, and helping source composite panels for 39 branch locations. 

She has over 29 years’ experience in the forest products industry and has been with Boise Cascade for 16 years. She is a forester by education and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management and a Master of Science degree in Forest Economics from Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas. She worked for forest product companies throughout the Southeast US before coming to Boise, Idaho in 2010. She has held positions throughout the wood products supply chain from wood procurement to finished product sales.

Her family inspires her passion to learn and advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Judy also enjoys gardening, watercolor painting, reading, hiking, and spending quality time with family and friends. She has been married to Mike Mann for 25 years and the couple has two sons and one daughter.

Connie D. Baker is an accomplished Human Resources professional with over 20 years of progressive leadership experience across HR strategy, organizational development, and engineering. As the Senior Director of Human Resources at RoyOMartin Companies, she leads HR operations for the largest plywood manufacturing facility in North America, supporting a workforce of more than 750 team members.

Connie is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and SHRM-CP, recognized for her ability to align HR functions with operational goals. Her leadership has been instrumental in major organizational initiatives, including workforce expansion, supervisory training, employee engagement, and the design of a pay-for-knowledge compensation structure for the plywood facility.  She also played a key role in launching an in-house skilled craftsmen apprenticeship program and supporting new facility startups through effective talent acquisition and internal mobility strategies.

Before her tenure in HR, Connie built a successful early career as a Mechanical Engineer, where she supported Procter & Gamble’s manufacturing operations. Her engineering background lends her a unique analytical perspective in HR, enabling her to develop data-driven solutions and continuous improvement processes.

Connie holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Southern University and A&M College. She is a graduate of LSU’s Executive Education program and an active member of several professional and civic organizations, including the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she is serving as Chapter President. She was honored in 2013 as Louisiana’s sole recipient of the national Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Production Inaugural (STEP) Award given by the Manufacturing Institute.

In addition to her corporate responsibilities, Connie is deeply committed to community development, serving as immediate past Chair of the Alexandria Civil Service Commission, a member of the NSU Industrial Advisory Council, and Advanced Manufacturing Program Advisory Group, and current education chair of the National Wholesale Lumber Association.  Her career reflects a dedication to excellence, diversity, and impactful leadership in both the workplace and the community. She is a member of St. Juliana Catholic Church. Connie is the current president of the Alexandria (LA) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

For the past 50 years, Paul has been involved in several careers spanning Academia, Engineering and Development, Manufacturing, Corporate Executive Leadership, Consulting and Entrepreneurship. In his ‘first career’, he taught Mathematics and Computer Science at all levels of learning, from Pre-School to Post-PhD. He was even involved in designing graduate level curric­ulums at the University of South Carolina as an Adjunct Professor.  His second career began in 1985 with NCR (National Cash Register). Beginning as a Senior Programmer Analyst, he was promoted to Manager - Software Development, Product Manager, Manager – Product Management, Corporate Strategic Planner for Banking and Retail, Director – Retail Systems Product Integration, Retail Systems Manufacturing, Director of Quality and Customer Satisfaction, and Corporate Coach. While at NCR, he was involved in the NCR/AT&T merger, and was responsible, as a Director of Quality, for the cultural transformation and change leadership for the Retail Systems Division Lean Manufacturing Plant.  Leveraging his involvement with Bell Labs Organization Effectiveness Group and Harvard Business School T.E.A.M. Research Study, he left NCR/AT&T in 1995 to pursue a consulting career, in the areas of Leadership, Strategy, and Performance Improvement. Over the past 30 years, he served 137 organizations encompassing over 300 projects and programs.  Some of his clients include Anixter, AT&T, Boeing, Boston Whaler, Emory, FedEx, Fibervisions, Georgia Hospitals, GE, IISE, John Deere, Motorola, NASA, Northrop Grumman, Perkins and Will, UPS, U.S. Department of War (formerly “Defense”) and many major Universities.  Markets served include; Engineering, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Aerospace, Telecommunications, Government, Defense, Logistics, Supply Chain, Energy, Retail, Banking, Academics and Higher Learning.  His first book, “Affordability: Integration of Value, Customer and Cost for Continuous Improvement” was released December 2016. His second book, “Healthcare Affordability: Motivate People, Improve Processes, and Increase Performance.”, was released September 2018.  His new book, soon to be published, is “Affordability 2.0: A How-To Roadmap for Application and Implementation”.  He is currently, President and CEO of Performance Excellence Associates, Inc. and a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt Sensei.

Performance Excellence Associates, Inc. – Paul W. Odomirok, CEO

Ben Jerkins is a dedicated Lumber Trader with Capital Forest Products, based in Atlanta, GA, serving the South and Southeast regions. He joined Capital Forest seven years ago as a Sales Representative for James Hardie Building Products, where he introduced cement fiber siding and trim to the Shed Building industry. During the pandemic, Ben transitioned to his current role, where his passion for the wood industry has only grown.

Ben holds a B.S. in General Chemistry and Mathematics from the University of North Alabama. Outside of work, he’s a passionate musician with over 40 years of experience, sharing his love for music with his children. Family is at the heart of Ben’s life, and he finds joy in cooking and creating delicious dishes.

Thomas Mende is the President and CEO of Binderholz Timber and joined the company in 2019. With extensive experience in the wood products industry, Thomas has worked with leading companies such as Klausner Trading USA and New South Companies. He also serves on the Board of Directors for NAWLA.