DALLAS – January 7, 2009 – East Teak Fine Hardwoods, Inc., an industry leader in teak, mahogany, ipe and other fine hardwoods, announces the addition of A. J. Bumby as the Senior Vice President – Commercial Sales.

In this capacity, Mr. Bumby will be responsible for sourcing and selling materials for large, high profile projects such as boardwalks, marinas, municipalities, state and federal agencies and bridges in North America and abroad.  He previously has worked on projects such as the boardwalk at Disney World in Orlando, FL; Freedom Park in Naples, FL; Jones Beach Boardwalk on Long Island, NY; world-renowned Columbus Circle benches in Manhattan, NY; and the City of Ventnor’s fishing pier just south of Atlantic City, NJ.

Mr. Bumby is a 32-year wood industry veteran who got his start in 1977 as Vice President of Sales for MacGillis and Gibbs Co., Inc., selling treated utility poles to power companies around the world.  He became CEO in 1982 and then ran their CCA pressure treating plant in Minnesota until 1997.  Mr. Bumby has spent the last 12 years at Milwaukee-based Timber Holdings International.  Most recently, he held the title of Executive Vice President and General Manager, selling naturally durable hardwoods in the commercial decking, piling, and timber business.

“We are fortunate to have A.J. on our team to help develop a growing part of our business,” said Wayne Rogers, President and CEO of East Teak.  “His expertise helps us strategically expand an untapped segment of our business, making East Teak even more competitive in the market. He’s the best in the business at what he does.”

Mr. Bumby will be based out of a mid-West regional sales office in Wisconsin, covering the entire North American market and beyond.  “East Teak is an exciting opportunity to utilize my experience and grow a whole new area for the company,” said Bumby.

Mr. Bumby graduated from Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in economics.  He has been a University of Minnesota Forest Products guest lecturer and participated in the University of Wisconsin Forest Products Lab.

More information about East Teak Fine Hardwoods can be found at www.eastteak.com, or by contacting A.J. Bumby at (414) 322-8395 or aj@eastteak.com.

Matt Mladenka, Director of Marketing and Sales for East Teak Fine Hardwoods, Inc., has recently passed the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate accreditation exam

The accreditation will help Mladenka – who is the first person on East Teak’s staff to earn the credential – to consult with architects, designers and contractors in applying potential LEED credits.

“As sustainable practices become increasingly important in the construction industry, it is imperative that our staff is knowledgeable not only about our green product line, but green building practices in general,” said Mladenka.  “The ability to discuss the entire building process, and understand how our products fit in with the integrated building design, is becoming an expected prerequisite from our customers.”

The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) provides third-party professional credentials in green building practices.  The GBCI has created the LEED Green Associate exam, which is comprised of 100 questions.  Topics follow LEED categories, which include Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation in Design.

Wayne Rogers, President and CEO of East Teak, added: “Matt has a good knowledge of green building to begin with.  The LEED Green Associate credential further demonstrates his expertise, and will allow us a consulting advantage that is in line with our priority to customer service.  We are very proud of this achievement.”

In addition, Mladenka oversees participation in the annual GreenBuild conference as well as relationships with Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), the company’s third-party auditor of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood.  East Teak sells FSC-certified woods under Chain of Custody:  SCS-COC-002289.

Gensler’s Dallas office recently received it’s LEED Commerical Interiors (CI) Silver certification. East Teak supplied the FSC recycled teak floors that contributed to Materials & Resources Credit 4.1 – Recycled Content. A full overview of the project, published by the USGBC North Texas Chapter, can be found here: http://www.usgbcnorthtexas.org/files/2009.12_Newsletter/12%202009%20Gensler%20CI.pdf

Hot off the press, Thompson Mahogany Company has merged with East Teak Fine Hardwoods, Inc.!  Both companies are very excited today, as TMC is now officially a wholly owned subsidiary of East Teak.  Pictured from left to right are:  Don R. Daseke, Chairman of the Board of East Teak; Wayne Rogers, President and CEO of East Teak; and Don Thompson, who will remain with the company as President of Thompson Mahogany.

Here’s the official news release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                

Thompson Mahogany Company Merges with East Teak Fine Hardwoods, Inc.

Combined Companies Expand Product Offerings

DALLAS — October 15, 2009 — Thompson Mahogany Company, a fine hardwoods importer based in Philadelphia, has merged with East Teak Fine Hardwoods, Inc., an importer of First European Quality Teak and other fine hardwood products based in South Carolina and Washington state.

Thompson Mahogany Company will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of East Teak, yet will maintain full operational autonomy from its headquarters location. The combined entities will leverage the strength of both companies to better serve customers in the residential, commercial, hospitality and marine industries.

Founded in 1843, Thompson Mahogany Company is a preeminent supplier of quality tropical hardwoods from Central America, South America and Africa. Thompson directly imports more than 25 exotic wood species of lumber, decking, and flooring, used for furniture, flooring, outdoor decks and boardwalks. The company ships into the ports of Camden, NJ and Philadelphia, supplying wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers throughout the United States and Canada. In 2001, the Philadelphia Inquirer recognized Thompson Mahogany Company as one of Philadelphia’s historical businesses.

Founded in 1972, East Teak Fine Hardwoods, Inc. is the leading importer of the highest grade teak and other fine hardwood species used as decking, flooring, siding, mouldings and custom millwork in the construction of hotels, resorts, office buildings, luxury homes and yachts.  From its facilities in South Carolina and Washington, East Teak serves the architectural, up-scale residential, commercial construction, hospitality and boating industries throughout the United States and the Caribbean.

“Thompson Mahogany has an exceptional reputation in the industry and is well known for its quality products and excellent customer service. We want to continue this tradition while strengthening both companies in the market,” said Wayne Rogers, President and Chief Executive Officer of East Teak Fine Hardwoods. “Thompson Mahogany joining the East Teak family offers many benefits, including a strong customer base across North America; a complementary product line; the addition of direct suppliers in South America and Africa; and an expanded distributor network.”

Industry veteran Don Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Thompson Mahogany Company, will remain as President of Thompson Mahogany. Thompson has served as President of the International Wood Products Association and is a leader in the promotion of sustainable forestry.  “Joining with East Teak assures that the great legacy of Thompson Mahogany will continue,” said Thompson. “East Teak understands how we do business and the importance of the relationships we have built over the years with our customers, suppliers and distributors. I feel confident teaming with East Teak will enable Thompson Mahogany and East Teak to better serve all of our customers.”

Headquartered in Dallas, East Teak operates under the direction of Don R. Daseke, Chairman of the Board.  “I am very excited to see these two highly respected industry giants come together,” stated Mr. Daseke.  “Both Thompson Mahogany and East Teak have proven they know how to serve customers effectively.  Their people and knowledge of fine hardwoods are the keys to great customer service.  This combined company will now have one of the largest inventories of imported fine hardwoods in the United States.”

Mr. Daseke was the founder and CEO of Walden Residential Properties, Inc., a Real Estate Investment Trust listed on the New York Stock Exchange until it was sold in 2000.  He is Chairman of the Board of Smokey Point Distributing, Inc.; Chairman of the Board of Liquid Motors, Inc.; a Trustee of DePauw University; the past Chairman of the Dallas Chapter of the World Presidents Organization; and the Founding Chairman of Sage Telecom, Inc.  Mr. Daseke was elected to the Town of Addison (Texas) City Council in May 2009.

Financing for the transaction was provided in part by PNC Bank, N. A., a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:PNC).

For more information, visit www.eastteak.com and www.thomahog.com.