Building knowledge and connections
There is no substitute for the natural beauty of newly installed tropical hardwood, but keeping it looking great and achieving the desired performance over time require careful attention to detail. Choosing the best hardwood species and specifying the appropriate fastening and finishing systems will ensure an aesthetically pleasing, low-maintenance, and successful design in terms of installation, performance, and appearance. This course discusses wood species specification, installation techniques, and finishing methods for tropical hardwoods in conventional and sustainable buildings. As well, international programs that are used to successfully determine sustainability are examined.
This course is registered with 31 industry association(s). Show credit and registration information.
This course contains Sustainable Design (SD) information. View SD information.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". View collection details.
Sponsor: Nova USA Wood Products
Presenter: Naomi Comstock, Steve Getsiv, Keaton Smith, Katja Wahl, Nova USA Wood Products LLC
Name: Naomi Comstock, Steve Getsiv, Keaton Smith, Katja Wahl
Title: Mechanical Engineer, President, Sales, Marketing Manager, Nova USA Wood Products LLC
Naomi Comstock
Naomi joined the Nova USA Wood team in early 2021 as their lead Mechanical Engineer. She attended Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (BMSE) with a focus on material studies. She graduated with honors in 2020 from the ABET-accredited program.
While attending Eastern Washington University, Naomi completed a senior project with Triumph Composite Systems, an aerospace company that designs and manufactures aircraft parts, where she strength-tested thermoplastic composite materials. She also has experience in finite element analysis, simulation software, and statistical analysis.
During this time, she was also working as a retail manager where she led a large team on a daily basis, managing operations and training team members to increase performance. Through this position, she learned communication skills and developed her high-performing work ethic.
In her time off, she enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and tending to her many tropical houseplants.
Steve Getsiv
Steve is the President and CEO of Nova Products, Inc. and is the managing partner for Nova USA Wood Products. Steve has a BA from Dartmouth College in Engineering and Computer Science (1987), earned his MBA with honors from Portland State University (1997), and attended the Executive Program for Growing Companies at Stanford University (2011).
After college, Steve joined Pacific Laminating & Manufacturing, an edge and finger-joint glue plant started by his father, Ted Getsiv, in 1961. Steve quickly learned the truck flooring and lumber remanufacturing businesses, as well as some financial accounting, cost accounting, and manufacturing management. In 1991, he joined Oregon-Canadian Forest Products in North Plains, Oregon. While there, he was responsible for special projects and information technology, and eventually managed the tropical hardwoods import program, which grew into a $25 million annual program.
While working on his MBA from Portland State University, Steve was able to apply his business school studies directly to his work. His projects included implementation of accounting software, designing cost accounting software and employee incentive programs, and managing and creating most of the company's marketing collateral.
Steve used his skills and vast knowledge of and experience in the lumber industry to help found Nova USA Wood, which specializes in importing and wholesaling the finest exotic hardwoods from around the world.
Keaton Smith
I began working with Nova USA Wood in January of 2017 and have taken on multiple roles, including making product samples, working in the warehouse, creating print and digital marketing, and handling distributor sales on the West Coast and direct architect sales nationally.
I was first drawn to Nova after working in the construction industry where I came across tropical hardwoods, which instantly fascinated me. I find joy in educating others on the benefits and installation practices of the products we offer, and in the relationships I've built within the industry.
Katja Wahl
In early 2021, Katja joined the Nova USA Wood team as their Marketing Manager and relocated to Portland, Oregon. She attended Washington State University Everett’s Murrow College of Communication and Carson College of Business, where she earned her BA in Integrated Strategic Communications with a minor in Business Administration and a dual emphasis in automotive and industrial sectors. While attending this program, Katja was an active member of the Association of Women in Communication, as well as the acting Head of Communications for the Washington State University Engineering Club. It was through this club that Katja was able to work with a national-award-winning Mars rover competitive team and a Baja SAE competition team, and attend SEMA 2019 as the sole female marketing student from Washington State.
Katja’s passion for marketing within the automotive and industrial sectors can be further seen through her various internships. In 2019, she worked with Dwayne Lane’s Auto Family as their Marketing Intern, where she assisted in event planning, CRM system management and development, and social media. The following year, she worked with the Everett Silvertips hockey team as their Media Relations Intern. In this role, she was responsible for social media, press releases, and other media relations for the team.
Prior to her work at Nova, Katja worked professionally as a journalist and social media manager. She spent a year as a photojournalist with the Everett Clipper before being promoted to the Managing Editor of Visuals, where she worked for two additional years. Following this, she moved into the architecture sector, where she works as a Social Media Marketing Manager for Architextures, an acoustic paneling and ceiling solution company. Katja has also freelanced for various publications and companies such as the Daily Everett Herald, the Empire Press, and Cierra Candle and Soap Supplies.
Delivery Format: Online, Self-Paced
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Privacy Policy: Nova USA Wood Products Privacy Policy
HSW Eligibility:
