Michael S. Snow
Executive Director
American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC)
Michael S. Snow has been the Executive Director of the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) since 1999, where he oversees the Council's promotional programs around the globe, and manages AHEC's overseas offices in Europe, Mexico, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and China. Previously, he served as AHEC's Program Manager for Europe, China and Japan.
Mr. Snow holds a Master's Degree in International Economics from the George Washington University, and a BA in Developmental Economics from the University of Wisconsin. Before joining AHEC, Michael served as a Consultant on international education outreach programs for the National Geographic Society and the Smithsonian Associates, and spent several years in Seville, Spain teaching economics courses in English and Spanish for the University of Wisconsin.
Promoting sustainable US hardwoods in Japan for nearly a quarter century!
Japan has long been a major importer of high value and high quality US hardwoods, and at one time was our industry’s largest export market. Today, US hardwoods continue to enjoy a great deal of prestige in Japan and are used extensively in high end architectural projects as well as quality furniture and home furnishings. Japan’s global leadership on environmental issues has also helped drive demand for sustainable, green materials such as American hardwoods. With the passage of Japan’s Green Procurement Law in 2006, government agencies are required to purchase wood products from forests managed for sustainable use and private firms have been encouraged to follow suit. Through the support and funding of FAS, AHEC was able to commission the world’s first comprehensive “Illegal Logging Risk Assessment” study that conclusively demonstrated that hardwoods harvested in the US are at extremely low risk for illegal harvesting. Using this data as a backdrop, AHEC successfully created a Responsible Procurement Policy for US exporters that has been recognized by the Japanese government as complying with the Green Procurement Law, effectively maintaining access to this high value market. AHEC has long built on this environmental theme through our “Eco-Projects” funded through the MAP and FMD programs that have helped influence the buying trends of woods used in furniture and interiors of Japan. What started as a furniture design contest in 2001 has evolved into major interior design projects showcasing both the aesthetic beauty and environmental credentials of US hardwoods. Recent projects have included a doctor’s clinic and a day care center. The projects use lumber donated by American exporters, and are focused on promoting under-utilized species and all grades of sustainable US hardwoods.
