Bruce a. Griffith, president
Bruce, born May 1, 1946, is the youngest son of Earl Griffith. He has an Associate of Arts Degree and is a Phi Theta Kappa member from Ferrum College. He has a BS in Textile Chemistry from NC State in 1968 and is a member of the Theta Chi social fraternity. He was a chemist with Dupont and an industrial engineer with JP Stevens before returning to the family business in 1972 as a partner with his dad and brother, Bill, and is a third-generation lumberman that grew up in the business. Bruce is also managing partner of Griffith Land and Timber Company.
Past Activities
Always active in the community, Bruce has served as a Jaycee; as Zone Governor of Ruritan Clubs; was Rotary President when the prestigious District Community Service Award was earned; a Paul Harris Fellow; Past-President of Appalachian Hardwood Lumbermen; President and Life Member of Ferrum College Alumni Association, two Distinguished Alumni Awards and Trustee of Ferrum College; volunteer fireman, and former President of the Patrick County High School Booster Club. In high school, Bruce was co-captain and honorable mention all-state basketball player on state runner-up team; was starting pitcher on district champion baseball team; Speaker of the House of Delegates at Boy’s State; president of FFA and senior class, and Valedictorian of his graduating class of 1964.
Present Activities
Today, Bruce proudly serves as Lay speaker, lay leader, chair of evangelism, PPR committee, choir, and Sunday School teacher at Stuart United Methodist Church. He sings and performs with the community theater group "Belles and Beaus", and sings in the gospel quartet "Glory Road Singers". He is a Member of the National Hardwood Lumber Association and was one of five national finalists for the 1998 Forestry Stewardship Award. He is a member of Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers and Appalachian Lumbermen's Club; Board member and officer of Virginia Forest Products Association for over 20 years; and board member of the Virginia Forestry Association; has called for a national convention of forest industry leaders to set strategy and focus on our industry issues, and was a speaker on family-owned businesses at the first hearing on the Virginia Chipmill study.
Bruce is also a delegate for family-owned sawmills at the SFI National Forum and has lobbied the President of the United States, Congress, and state governments on forest issues. He helped form and is active with two new industry groups TreeKeepers.org and WoodPR, which do proactive work for the forest industry. In 2005, Bruce served dual roles as President of the Rotary Club of Patrick County; and President of the Virginia Forest Products Industry.