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Student of the Month
Name: AJ Webb
School: North Carolina State University
Major/Program: Products – Business Management Concentration
Year in school: Senior
Age: 21
How did you become interested in working with wood?
As a sophomore in high school, I worked with my uncles at what is now Battle Lumber Company at their hardwood flooring facility in Macon, Ga. I became very interested in the many different processes of wood manufacturing and decided I would pursue the field of Wood Products at North Carolina State University.
Where do you look for inspiration?
My inspiration comes from my faith in God. If not for God and his influence on my daily life, I would not have the opportunities that I have been blessed to have. I also am very inspired by the people that I come in contact with every day. I try to surround myself with people who are motivated and focused.
What kind of woodworking experience do you have?
My first internship was with Huntersville Hardwoods, a branch company of Atlanta Hardwood Corporation. Here, I learned the daily operations of drying and remanufacturing hardwood lumber. My second internship was with Moncure Plywood LLC. Here, I learned the processes involved in making furniture grade plywood and the importance of quality on the entire manufacturing process.
What was your latest project?
I am working with others in the Forest Products Society in the construction of gaming tables. We are using a CNC router to custom design poker tables and other gaming tables. Also, I am working with a classmate on the design of a custom entertainment center. Each piece includes many different options based on survey results that were obtained based on customer preferences. We will be using a CAD program to design the piece(s) and will construct a marketing and financial plan.
What are you plans for after graduation?
My plans after graduation are to find a full-time position in either quality control operations or sales in the wood products industry. I am very interested in both jobs and feel that understanding the quality of the product that is sold is critical to the selling of that product.
