Extension Specialists

Wood Products

Dr. Brian Bond, Ph.D.

Professor Brian H. Bond, is the associate dean of Extension, Outreach and Engagement for the College of Natural Resources and Environment. He also serves as a professor and extension specialist in the area of wood products, where his focus is on improving the sustainable use and manufacturing of wood products. He has been working to improve in wood drying, hardwood utilization, and the performance of wood products (flooring, furniture, etc.) since 1998 when he started supporting the industry as an extension specialist at the University of Tennessee. His recent efforts have included the incorporation of hardwoods for use in cross laminated timber structures and increasing the use of thermally modified hardwoods.  He is currently on the board of the Woodwork Career Alliance, Secretary and Treasurer of the Allegheny Kiln Club, a Unit Leader and Executive Committee member of Southern Regional Extension Forestry and  a member of the Virginia Wood Council.

Contact Information: 
bbond@vt.edu
540-231-8752.

Manufacturing Systems

Dr. Urs Buehlmann, Ph.D.

Professor Urs Buehlmann works in the area of manufacturing systems engineering and business competitiveness. His activities also address issues relating to globalization. He teaches secondary wood products manufacturing. He is a member of the Sloan Foundation Forest Industries Center, an Adjunct Professor at Université Laval, a member of the board of WoodLINKS USA, and a member of the education committee of the Association of Woodworking and Furnishing Suppliers (AWFS). Urs moved to Virginia Tech in 2007 from Enkeboll Designs, where he was General Manager.

Contact Information: 
buehlmann@gmail.com
540-231-9759.

Business Management

Dr. Pipiet Larasatie, Ph.D.

Dr. Larasatie is an interdisciplinary scholar and social scientist researching forest sector competitiveness and sustainable business management of natural resources. Her current research includes engineered wood industry development and workforce development in the forest and wood product sector. Currently, she is a refereed journal editor of BioProducts Business, managed by Society of Wood Science and Technology. Topically, Dr. Larasatie’s research addresses broad questions about the competitiveness of the forest sector and focuses specifically on the dynamics of industry business and marketing practices. Philosophically, her research goals center around inclusive and diverse academic points of view to increase forest sector competitiveness.

Contact Information: 
pipiet@vt.edu
540-231-8253