Jim Gilleran Awarded the Order of the White Rose of Finland
12/09/2008
The president of Finland has awarded Jim Gilleran, the long-standing Managing Director of Finnforest USA, the Knight of the Order of the white Rose of Finland. The decoration was awarded on the application of Metsäliitto in recognition for his distinguished contributions for the benefit of the Finnish Forest Industry in the North American market. The award was given in a ceremony at the Corporate Offices in Finland on September 12, 2008.
"I'm exceptionally proud and humbled to receive this honor," said Gilleran after receiving the Knight's decoration from Ole Salvén, Group Executive Vice President of Metsäliitto Wood Products. "It's been a pleasure to work with my Finnish colleagues, as I regard them as honest, ethical and serious - their word is their bond. I've always had so much respect and admiration for the Finnish way of doing business, and this is the idea that I've brought to my customers in North America."
"I want to express my warm thanks to Metsäliitto and the Master Plank team in Finland and in the U.S., especially Martti Tulkki and Linda Bouford, who wave been working with me and Master Plank since the early days," says Jim. "Most importantly, I want to thank my wife Ann and my family for their love and support for all these years."
Jim, born in 1935, first became acquainted with timber trading while working part-time with McCausey Lumber Company in his student days in the mid-1950's. He then moved on to a full-time position at the company in 1963. From 1973 to 2004, was the CEO?Owner of the company. McCausey Wood Products, the wood product import arm of the company, was acquired by Metsäliitto in 1989. Gilleran continues to serve as Managing Director of the import company, now called Finnforest USA, Engineered Wood Division, located in Roseville, Michigan.
LV L (Laminated Veneer Lumber) was a brand new product in the U.S. market in the late 1970s. Since those early days, Jim pioneered LVL products within the United States, and has successfully sold about 25 percent of the annual Kerto® (Master Plank) production of the Lohja and Punkaharju mills to the U.S. construction industry. Jim's experience, dedication and extensive business network have helped him make Finnforest USA a major player in the U.S. engineered wood products market.
Having worked with Jim since 1989, SBCA Executive Director Kirk Grundahl said, "His actions speak louder than any words. He is a man of his word who cares deeply for our industry and truly has made a big difference to everyone he has touched by tending to the small details. Jim is a role model; those of us who have been touched by him have been touched in a special way."
Jim's Finnforest team is very proud of him. They believe that Jim truly believed that the world was flat and the ocean was small and, with the right people, anything can be accomplished. His achievements are a great inspiration to his staff. As Jim always says, "People Make it Happen."
The Order of the White Rose was introduced in 1919. The Order awards decorations in recognition of outstanding civil or military service. The decorations can be awarded to any person, including foreign nationals. Jim is honored and humbled by the fact that there a re so few U.S. individuals that have received such a prestigious award.
Jim recognizes that this honor signifies the wonderful partnership that has developed and continues to grow even today between Finland and the United States.