Dear Reader:
What an incredible few days we shared in Portland, Oregon, last week. As the dust settles on our 10th Anniversary International Mass Timber Conference, I am filled with overwhelming gratitude. Despite the economy and other headwinds, the event was a huge success — a true testament to how far this industry has come and the strength of the community we’ve built together over the last decade.
However, as I look back on that 10 year milestone, I’ve come to realize that 2026 is a year filled with some meaningful “big numbers” for me personally.
This year, I turned 75. Carol and I are celebrating 55 years of marriage. It also marks 50 years since my family founded Rawlings Manufacturing Inc, now owned and operated by my brother John Rawlings and his wife Judi Tyacke-Rawlings.
In addition, this is my 25th year publishing the Forest Business Network (FBN) weekly e-newsletter, along with four years of publishing this LinkedIn Newsletter you’re reading today.
When you add it all up, it becomes clear that this is a unique moment in time. One that calls for more than just a standard weekend off.
I’ve decided to take a six-week sabbatical starting immediately. During this time, the FBN E-Newsletter, my LinkedIn newsletter, and my social media updates will all take a pause.
This isn’t a retirement; it is a dedicated period for reflection, gratitude, and perspective. After decades of moving at full speed and never fully taking time off, I want to step back and gain some quiet clarity on the road ahead — for myself and my family, for this organization, and for the stories we tell in these newsletters. I want to return with a renewed sense of purpose and a fresh vision for what the next chapter looks like for all of us.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me for the last 25 years. I look forward to reconnecting with you all in six weeks with a clear head and a full heart.
Until then,
C. Craig Rawlings, President & CEO, Forest Business Network - Chairman, International Mass Timber Conference
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