Mr Dorries, who joined the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) as a laboratory technician in 1985, has now commenced his new position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Australian Forestry Standard Ltd.
Andy McNaught, Acting CEO of the EWPAA, said the organisation had grown under Simon’s leadership.
“In his nine years as General Manager, Simon elevated EWPAA to the highest ranking as an industry organisation, not only in Australia and New Zealand, but in the international scene.
“The association grew under his stewardship as a respected industry body that developed wider market access for its members, exposed sub-standard products in the marketplace and championed EWPAA products through no fewer than nine certification schemes,” Andy said.
He also commended Simon’s work lobbying governments and trade unions on the dangers of structurally unsound and high emission imported products, stating that due to his work, “their potential threat to the lives of both site workers and consumers gained international coverage”.
Simon also worked to amalgamate the Australian Wood Panels Association into the EWPAA, adding particleboard and medium-density fibreboard to its “˜product mix’ that already included plywood and laminated veneer lumber.
Mr Dorries travelled extensively during his time with the EWPAA, promoting and certifying its products in the US, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.
Simon recently paid tribute to the EWPAA staff in Brisbane during his send-off.
“We were a team and our successes came from team work – and I am glad, and proud, to have worked closely with all of you,” Mr Dorries said.
An announcement regarding the appointment of the new EWPAA CEO is expected soon.
