The Future of Innovative Timber Construction in Affordable Housing

Watch The Future of Innovative Timber Construction in Affordable Housing now.

On January 11, 2023 at 11 am, World Forestry Center will premiere The Future of Innovative Timber Construction in Affordable Housing, a pre-recorded discussion on innovative timber construction and how it can play a significant role in addressing the issue of affordable housing.

“Affordable housing is a critical need now,” said program moderator Greg Wolf, Director of Oregon iSector. “The opportunity with this panel is to look at how
Mass Timber and modular housing can help address these housing deficits we’re seeing around the country.”

The hour-long virtual program features a mix of panelists with backgrounds in affordable housing and innovative timber construction, sharing their experiences and expertise in this emerging area.

Panelists

Greg Wolf (moderator) brings more than 35 years of experience working in state and local government to his role as Director of the Oregon iSector. Prior to this position, he founded and directed the County Solutions Program at the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC). Greg served for seven years as the Community Policy Advisor and Dispute Resolution Advisor for Oregon’s Governor.


Ernesto Fonseca is the Chief Executive Officer of Hacienda, an Oregon Community Development Corporation and Social Enterprise that advances the livability, health, and economic progress of underserved communities in the Pacific Northwest. Ernesto has dedicated the last 16 years of his career to the development of high-quality, affordable housing and social services in Mexico and the United States.


Tamara Kennedy-Hill is Director of Economic Development at Port of Portland and partners with senior leadership and external partners to advance shared prosperity for historically marginalized communities. She also serves on the Black United Fund of Oregon and Greater Portland Economic Development District boards.


Nick Milestone is the current Director of Projects for Mercer Mass Timber and Chairman of the Timber Research and Development Association UK. He is a veteran of the European and United Kingdom mass timber markets and prior to joining Mercer, Nick held positions with the US Softwood Lumber board, Katerra Inc, and Sigmat developing building systems in Mass Timber, Structural Steel and load bearing Light Gauge Steel structures.


Sebastian Popp is the Technical Director at KLH’s office in the US where he puts his degrees in timber engineering, business administration and project management to good use. Together with his team Sebastian tackles small to large and complex Mass Timber jobs. His career started with the world’s first 8 story CLT house and 16 years later his team built the world’s first 26 story Mass Timber structure.


The program is supported by the estate of William D. Hagenstein. Learn more about the legacy of Bill Hagenstein and World Forestry Center.