In late January, over 15 Team Hancock members from our lumberyards and sawmills ventured to Millinocket, ME to take part in remembering one of Hancock’s long-time employees, Jeff Hall. Jeff lost his courageous battle with cancer at the end of 2024.
This trip was two days of nothing but smiles, snowmobiles, learning about our Maine forests, good food, and good company. Upon arrival, the team explored the Millinocket area by testing out some local food, checking into the New England Outdoor Center, and having dinner at another great local favorite, Knife Edge Brewing.
On day two, Team Hancock travelled to Easton, ME to tour the Huber Engineered Wood Mill. Huber representatives went into extensive detail on the manufacturing process for the products they make in Maine and we sell throughout Hancock Lumber’s lumberyards in Maine and New Hampshire. Following the mill tour, the group braved the January elements and toured Huber’s working timberlands, learning about how the raw material is harvested and brought into the mill for processing. Trip organizer and Hancock Lumber Purchasing Manager, Harland Storey, found all aspects of the Huber tour greatly valuable to the team.
“As the organizer, I am greatly appreciative of Huber for not only funding the trip but also for the educational content and coordination of the schedule. Our team learned a lot and had some fun too!”
—Harland Storey, Purchasing Manager
Hancock Online General Manager Kourtney McLean loved being able to share this experience with members from across the company, which made for valuable learnings and conversation. “The opportunity to connect with co-workers through this continuing education opportunity was valuable. Touring the timberlands and manufacturing facility for Huber with team members from the sawmill, log procurement, sales, IT, purchasing, and management made for dynamic conversations. Each person was viewing the experience through a different lens and presented important insight that really proves how connected all of our work is at Hancock Lumber.” —Kourtney McLean, Hancock Online General Manager
The final day of the trip was reserved for the great outdoors! One of Jeff Hall’s favorite things to do was snowmobile in Northern Maine—so, in his honor, Team Hancock took to the sleds for a half-day guided snowmobile tour with the New England Outdoor Center team.
“I felt it accomplished the three goals I had in honoring Jeff—forestry education, outdoor recreation, and appreciation for the diversity of jobs across our company.” —Harland Storey, Purchasing Manager