Sales Team

Greg Johnson – VP of Sales

A third generation owner who graduated from the University of Oregon with a BS in Political Science. Work experience includes more than 3-years of progressive responsibility in mill sales, culminating in the role of stud sales manager. Following that he spent 5-years in operations where he ultimately spent time at both the Glendale Sawmill and the Roseburg Studmill as the location’s top manager. Chris was promoted to VP of Sales & Marketing in 2012.

Chris Swanson

Executive Vice President

Greg Johnson – VP of Sales

I was born and raised in Portland OR. After High School I spent some time in college and also as a hunting & fishing guide in Alaska and NE Oregon. After a short lived Ranching / Farming career, I went back to college and Graduated from Oregon State University (EOU Campus in La Grande). I have been in the wood products business since 2001 and started with the Swanson Group in the sales department 2003, and became a member of the Executive team in 2018.

Greg Johnson

Vice President
Sales and Marketing

Russ Hellwege –Springfield Plywood Sales

Born and raised in Portland, OR. United States Navy at age 17, followed by college at Warner Pacific - Portland where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

31 years in forest products. 15 Years with Simpson Timber Company at both Oregon Overlays – Portland and their Plywood operation in Shelton, WA. Remained on this site with the changeover to Olympic Panel Products for 10 years. And, transitioned to Swanson Group for the startup of the new mill in Springfield, OR in 2016.

Married to Kristy. Between us we have 2 sons, 1 daughter, and 2 grandchildren. We enjoy everything outdoors, fine wine and great food.

Russ Hellwege

Springfield Plywood Sales

541-744-3422

Joe Buttice – Roseburg Sales Manager

I was born and raised in Eastern Oregon. After graduating high school I continued on to get my Bachelor's degree in Forest Management at Oregon State University. My wife (Tasha) and I moved from Oregon to live in Northern Idaho where I started my lumber sales career. We soon realized we missed the coast and moved back to Southern Oregon with our new baby girl (Piper). I started here at the Swanson Group in February of 2017. In my spare time I love to hunt, fish, golf and be outdoors.

Joe Buttice

Roseburg Sales Manager

541-492-7521

Greg Bess –Stud & Plywood Sales

I was born in Coquille, OR and raised in Glendale, OR. After High School I joined the Army, and served on Active Duty and in the National Guard for 8 years. I began my railroad career in 1996, and worked for shortline railroads in Southern Oregon up until the time I joined Swanson Group in July 2017. I met my wife Myrna in high school and we have been married 23 years. We have 2 grown children; Secily and Jeremy. I enjoy hunting, and Myrna and I fish together as often as possible. Life is good, and I am proud to a member of the Swanson Group family.

Greg Bess

Springfield Plywood Sales Manager

541-492-7516

Christy McDowell –Stud & Low Grade Sales

Born in California, I moved to Oregon as a baby, settling in Glendale, Oregon in 1951. I attended the Glendale school systems where I graduated valedictorian of my class and then attended OSU (Go Beavs!).

I worked in Superior Lumber Company's office during summer vacations and school breaks doing various jobs and eventually went full time in 1972. The Sales Department for the Swanson Group is where I finally settled - a position where I have the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with a variety of fabulous people.

My husband Stephen and I are blessed with two children and one impish granddaughter.

Christy McDowell

Stud & Low Grade Sales

541-832-1241

Josh Renshaw – Veneer Sales

I grew up in Medford, Oregon and have a BA from Linfield College. I've been in the industry for 25 years and have wholesale trading, distribution and production experience. I traded panels and lumber for North Pacific Lumber, Buckeye, Pan Pacific and Mill Direct Lumber. In 1996, I was hired as Plywood Manager for MacMIllan Bloedel's US Distribution Centers. In the early 2000s, I was senior manager at Roseburg Forest Products overseeing National Accounts, managed all finished product inventories, central planning and traffic. I became general manager at K Ply, a specialty plywood mill in Port Angeles, WA. When that business closed, I organized investors and started a new company, re-opening the plant as President and General Manager. I like to spend time with any of my 20 nieces and nephews. I golf and fish.

Josh Renshaw

Veneer Sales

541-295-4144

Ken Pratt - Plywood Technical Service Manager

I am the Plywood Technical Services Manager for Swanson Group since 2015. I am responsible for product design, product enhancement, product support, customer-contractor product training, and training production personnel on products and processes.

From 2000 – 2013 I was Product Development, Technical/ Quality Manager at Simpson Timber and Olympic Panel Products. The Plant Manager from 2007 – 2012 at Olympic Panel Products and the Technical Sales Manager in 2013 for Olympic Panel Products. From 1996 to 2000, I was the Senior Technical Sales and Marketing Representative for North America Sales at Simpson - Oregon Overlays.

I've also held Different management positions at Roseburg Forest Products from 1989 to 1996. The last position held at RFP was the Quality Control Manager for Plywood Plant #4.

I have a BS degree in Forest Products – Wood Science from the University of Idaho and been in the wood products industry for 31 years.

I am married with 2 daughters. I like to spend my spare time riding horses with my daughters and working at my property in Idaho.

Ken Pratt

Plywood Technical Service Manager

541-744-3426

Reece Hudson - Traffic Coordinator

Bio coming soon.

Reece Hudson

Traffic Coordinator

541-832-1662

David Bivens

Plywood Sales

541-832-1664

Brad Lander

Stud & Plywood Sales

541-492-7598