Lionel Landry, a former president of the Southern Forest Products Association and the longest-serving director of the Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition (EXPO) who worked at SFPA from 1966-2005, passed away Tuesday, July 15. He was 85.
Lionel began his career with the Southern Pine Association (which became SFPA in 1970) in 1966 as office manager. He was promoted to corporate secretary and EXPO director three years later.
“Lionel Landry was a steady and generous mentor to so many of us,” said Eric Gee, SFPA executive director and EXPO director. “His calm spirit, thoughtful guidance, and commitment to doing things the right way left a lasting mark on the EXPO and on those lucky enough to work with him. He shaped not just an event — but a generation of leaders.”
Whether he was helping a first-time exhibitor navigate the process or offering quiet advice to a colleague, Gee said, Lionel consistently prioritized doing things the right way — both for the exhibitor and for the association.”
“He had a remarkable way of making people feel welcome,” Gee said. “It is rare to find someone who not only contributes so meaningfully to the work of an organization, but who also helps shape its people and culture.”
Lionel planned and directed all EXPO-related meetings and trade show activities while maintaining his administrative duties. It was under Lionel’s leadership as director that the 11th EXPO moved to Atlanta to expand its reach and audience, the first time EXPO was held outside of New Orleans.
He served as director of 18 EXPOs from 1967-2001, which included 10 in Atlanta and five in New Orleans. During that time, he assisted Keith Judkins on the 14th EXPO, then John Zin with the 15th and 16th EXPOs.
Lionel succeeded Karl Lindberg as SFPA president in 2003 and retired December 31, 2005, at which time Digges Morgan took over.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of Lionel’s passing,” Zin said. “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing him for 55 years. It was my good fortune to have worked with and under Lionel during my 12 years with SFPA. I couldn’t have been more fortunate in my career. He was one of my mentors and became one of my most revered and respected friends. He was always a professional and highly regarded by others who knew him. Lionel will be greatly missed and long remembered.”
Lionel also served as chairman of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE) in 1973.
His obituary and arrangements are forthcoming.
What Others Shared About Lionel…
SFPA lost a good friend with the passing of Lionel Landry. Even though the Association’s main goal has always been to support the lumber producers, Lionel went out of his way to make the associate members feel like they were part of the association. I will always cherish our friendship.
– Mike Hubbard, retired salesman with Optimil
I thought the world of him.
– Robin Swift III, SFPA Board of Directors member
No words can fully express the deep gratitude Taylor Machine Works and the Taylor family have for what Lionel Landry meant to the wood industry. His presence, influence, and unwavering commitment over nearly four decades left an indelible mark on the companies and people he worked with and the entire forest products industry.
Lionel was more than just a professional; he was a true optimist, a visionary leader, and a constant source of positivity. His ability to bring people together, to inspire excellence, and to lead with both strength and grace made him a pillar within the industry. He was a beacon — steady, guiding, and dependable — whose wisdom and experience helped shape the direction of the industry for generations to come.
Beyond his professional contributions, Lionel was simply a joy to be around. His warmth and his genuine care for others made him beloved by all who knew him. His legacy is not just in the advancements he helped achieve or the partnerships he built, but in the countless lives he touched along the way.
As we remember Lionel, we celebrate a life well-lived, a career that uplifted an entire industry, and a man who will be profoundly missed. The wood industry has lost one of its brightest lights, but Lionel’s impact will continue to resonate for many years to come.
– Taylor Machine Works and Taylor Family