Kevin Hudson, Senior Vice President of Forest Resources and Recycled Fiber at Smurfit Westrock, has been elected chairman of the board of the Forest Resources Association (FRA) for a two-year term.
Hudson’s appointment was confirmed during the FRA 2026 Annual Meeting, succeeding outgoing chairman Josh Sandt of Canfor Southern Pine. In his remarks, Hudson highlighted FRA’s diverse membership and emphasized the importance of collaboration across the wood supply chain.
At Smurfit Westrock, Hudson oversees more than 31 million tons of virgin fiber and 6.5 million tons of recycled fiber annually, supplying 21 paper mills in the United States and Canada. He also leads operations across 24 U.S. recycling facilities and oversees fiber sales, sustainability strategies and certification programs across North America.
Before joining Smurfit Westrock in 2012, Hudson held senior roles at Temple-Inland, including Vice President of Fiber Supply and Procurement. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from the University of Tennessee and Master’s degrees in Forestry and Business Administration from Auburn University.
FRA President and CEO Tim O’Hara said Hudson’s experience in fiber procurement, sustainability and supply-chain operations will strengthen the association’s policy and technical initiatives.
FRA represents more than 300 organizations across the forest products supply chain, including forest landowners, suppliers, consuming mills and state forestry associations. The organization has member representation in 49 states and 384 U.S. congressional districts.
