Oregon Logging Conference presents the

Logging, Construction, Trucking and Heavy Equipment Expo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 21, 2011

CONTACT:

Rikki Wellman, Oregon Logging Conference, (541) 954-2477, rikki@oregonloggingconference.com

William F. Springer -  Keynote For The 74th  Annual Conference

EUGENE, Ore. –  "The World Needs Our Wood", is the theme for the 74th Annual Oregon Logging Conference.   Based on the growth of this year's export market, conference directors felt it would be an ideal time to focus on how to make Northwest logs and wood products even more available to the world.

William F. Springer, Vice President of Caterpillar's Diversified Products Division in Peoria, IL, will deliver the keynote address to the OLC membership.  "He knows a lot about Caterpillar's plans worldwide for equipment", says OLC president, Ken Wienke.  "We expect him to speak about how the Northwest can serve the world market and what obstacles he sees for the Northwest to be competitive.“   The keynote address will be presented  in the Lane Events Center’s Wheeler Pavilion in Eugene, OR to begin the 2012 Oregon Logging Conference.

W. F. (Bill) Springer is vice president of the Diversified Products Division of Caterpillar Inc. in Peoria, Ill. He has responsibility for Caterpillar's OEM Solutions Group, Global Paving Products, Forestry Products, Tunnel Boring Products, Work Tools, and Defense and Federal Products.

Springer joined Caterpillar in 1973, and has held a variety of product support development and marketing positions throughout the company. In 1989, he was named general manager for Caterpillar Export Services, a parts distribution organization responsible for handling customers' direct export parts orders. Three years later, he became district manager with Caterpillar of Australia where he worked closely with dealer senior management and large international customers. In 1996, Springer became product manager for hydraulic excavators in Aurora, Ill., where he was responsible for regional excavator product development, manufacturing, and commercial support. In 1998, he became president of Caterpillar Logistics Services, Inc., responsible for all third-party logistics clients such as Daimler Chrysler, Harley Davidson and Ericcson.

In 2002, Springer was elected a vice president for the Product Support Division. In January 2006, Bill became Vice President for Marketing & Product Support. This division was responsible for the development of Caterpillar's global product support and marketing functions, including brand management. In 2009, Bill became vice president of the Quarry & Specialty Industries Division where he had sales execution and product development responsibilities for product sold into those and related industries. He assumed his current position in June 2010.

Springer holds a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Missouri and completed the Stanford University Executive Program in 1995. He was also a member of the Caterpillar Strategic Planning Committee that introduced Vision 2020 in 2006. Bill is on the Board of the Heart of Illinois United Way and the Central Illinois American Red Cross. He is a member of the Bradley University Council and also serves on the Board of VirtualSite Solutions LLC, a Caterpillar/ Trimble Joint Venture Company. He is the Executive Sponsor of the Caterpillar Armed Forces Network Affinity Group.

Oregon Logging Conference

The 74th Oregon Logging Conference returns to the Lane Events Center in Eugene, OR, Feb. 23 through Feb. 25. The conference is renowned for its high-quality education opportunities and networking events and is a great value for participants. Attendees will have the opportunity to earn nine professional logger credits and eight SAF-CFE credits. The conference also hosts one of the West Coast’s largest displays of logging, construction, trucking and heavy equipment. Conference registration is $95. To register for the conference, or for more information visit the Oregon Logging Conference Web site at www.oregonloggingconference.com or call (541) 686-9191.