Point of View

In the grand sweep of history, 38 years isn't much more than a blink of an eye. In human terms, though, it can be an epoch. One such human epoch came to an end here at 7011 South 19th January 31. APA Vice President and Secretary George Sleet bade adieu to his APA and industry friends and began his retirement.

George joined the Association as a laboratory technician in 1964, just about the time the Southern pine plywood industry was born and the Douglas Fir Plywood Association became the American Plywood Association. He later was a research technician and then in 1984 became director of the Quality Services Division, a promotion that at the time spoke to the boldness and in retrospect the vision of then-General Manager Bruce Lyons. George was named vice president and secretary in 1992.

George's long career at APA encompassed many professional achievements. But it is the character of the man that will serve as his greatest legacy. He was a straight talker and shooter. He was tough-minded, but in all things fair-minded. His word was his bond. And he considered difficult decisions on the basis of "what's the right thing to do?"

George also was remarkably broad in his interests and talents. A born mechanic, it was said he could disassemble a Swiss watch and reassemble it -- as a washing machine. This mechanical bent was more than useful on the countless mill calls he made over the years. But he could also recite T.S. Eliot and Latin prose. Or apply mathematical formulae that might just as well be Latin to most of us. Or reduce esoteric business theories to everyday common sense. These were not just idle traits. They were the mark of a guy who brought a rare Renaissance mind to the wide range of issues and problems of his vocation.

Finally, George possessed a genuine interest in and regard for people at all levels -- a quality typified by his attending the funerals of colleagues' parents he did not know, or offering others the keys to his Pacific Coast beach house for the weekend, or quietly assisting those with some personal problem or another. His loyalty as a friend was bedrock.

This is not to say that George was without fault, of course. He was addicted to Church's Chicken, for example. In a fit of exuberance, he got caught up in the Martha Stewart craze and bought some of her stock. And he once missed two flights at separate airports in the span of 90 minutes, a feat that many here are still trying to comprehend. Church's Chicken is suspected.

On balance, though, and seriously, George Sleet was a pillar in this industry and his retirement marks the end of an epoch here at APA. We regret that it has come to an end, but in the words of the poet Frost, "nothing gold can stay."

I know I speak for the hundreds of you who have known him over the years in bidding him a well-deserved and happy retirement.

Jack Merry is director of industry communications at APA and editor of the Engineered Wood Journal.

Point of View presents views and opinions of guest columnists on matters of broad interest to the engineered wood products industry. Readers are welcome to submit commentaries for consideration. Initial queries to the editor are recommended. The views and opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of APA, its members, or Engineered Wood Journal advertisers.