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The newest member of Hancock Lumber’s board, Mark Gardner graduated with a BSC in Industrial Technology, along with a State of Maine Teaching Certificate from the University of Southern Maine in 1978. He also completed post-graduation studies in Statistical Process Control, Lean Six Sigma and Management Effectiveness training from various schools and programs from 1979 through to 1990. From 1978 to 1981, he taught various Science, Technology and Engineering classes at Brunswick Middle School and Auburn High School. Mark has expertise in statistical process control, management effectiveness design and implementation, change management, and business optimizations and effectiveness.

Mark worked for Scott Paper/SD Warren/Sappi starting in 1981 and his experience includes serving as the Vice President of Manufacturing and Vice President of Supply Chain, prior to which he worked in a variety of production management roles at Sappi, including Production Manager at the Westbrook Mill, Paper Mill Manager at the Somerset Mill, Managing Director at the Muskegon, Michigan Mill and Director of Engineering and Manufacturing Technology at the head office in Boston.

Mark was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Sappi North America in 2007, responsible for leading all Sappi operations in North America and was also appointed to the board. In 2009, Mark received the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) and Paper Industry Management Association (PIMA) Executive of the Year Award. The award is the highest recognition for leadership and management given by PIMA. Mark recently completed his term as Chairman of the board of directors of the American Forest & Paper Association, after serving twelve years on the board. In September 2012, he was appointed by the Governor of Maine to the Board of Trustees for the University of Maine System.

In October 2019, Mark retired from Sappi after 38 years of service. Mark and his wife, Judi, reside in Kittery, Maine and look forward to spending time enjoying Maine and traveling around the country to visit family and friends. Mark is an avid sportsman and also enjoys boating, motorcycling, fishing, hunting, and spending time in the outdoors.