The History of ABSDA
In 1955, two provincial groups came together to form one regional building supply-oriented association. The New Brunswick Retail Lumber Dealers Association and the Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Retail Lumber Dealers Association joined forces and became known as the Maritime Retail Lumber Dealers Association and in 1959, the first Newfoundland dealer member was accepted, giving the association an Atlantic Canadian scope. In 1960, the association became known as the Atlantic Provinces Retail Lumber Dealers Association. In 1965 the current name was adopted.
ABSDA Today
The Atlantic Building Supply Dealers Association is a trade organization that, today, is comprised of over 625 member firms involved in the building supply industry in Atlantic Canada. Representing the interests of members in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Labrador, and New Brunswick. ABSDA provides a forum of cooperation within the trade and works toward the development and advancement of the entire building supply industry.
Association business is directed by a 14-member Board of Directors. Currently, ABSDA committees include: education, marketing, strategic planning,government affairs, membership, Atlantic Building Materials Show, and finance.
ABSDA’s office in Dieppe, NB is staffed by four full-time employees. The office building is located at 70 Englehart Street, Dieppe which is adjoining the Greater Moncton Airport and all major highways for convenience. The 3,400 square foot facility offers board room and classroom areas to all members in good standing. The building is available on first come first served basis at no cost to the member. Catering is available at very reasonable prices.
ABSDA Past Presidents/Chairs 1955 - 2009
| Robert Eddy* | 1955-57 | Jim Lockhart | 1980-81 |
| Ches Croft | 1957-58 | Carl Bagnall | 1981-82 |
| Murray Cassidy* | 1958-59 | Basil Cook* | 1982-83 |
| Clarence Porter | 1959-60 | Robert Fawcett | 1983-85 |
| Charles Christie* | 1960-61 | Ray Hancock | 1985-86 |
| Ernest Mingo | 1961-62 | Lew Livingstone | 1986-87 |
| George Chandler* | 1962-63 | David Bishop | 1987-88 |
| Ken Melvin | 1963-64 | John Payzant | 1988-89 |
| Elmer Kerr | 1964-65 | Bill Martin | 1989-90 |
| John Burchill | 1965-66 | Don Nauss* | 1990-91 |
| Gerald Baillie | 1966-67 | Allen Johnson | 1991-92 |
| Len Lockhart | 1967-68 | Sterling Elliott | 1992-93 |
| Alex McKinnon | 1968-69 | Hal Winter | 1993-95 |
| Tom Fiander | 1969-70 | Ozzie Wile | 1995-97 |
| Ron Harris | 1970-71 | Joe Corcoran | 1997-99 |
| Blair Eddy* | 1971-72 | Paul Andrus | 1999-00 |
| Deane Allen | 1972-73 | John Burgess | 2000-01 |
| Jim Grant | 1973-74 | Ron MacDonald | 2001-02 |
| Malcolm Mackay* | 1974-75 | Paul Maillet | 2002-04 |
| Stuart Chandler* | 1975-76 | Rod Harrison | 2004-05 |
| Jim Connell* | 1976-77 | David Pritchett | 2005-06 |
| Harry Rand | 1977-78 | Dave Yurchesyn | 2006-07 |
| Locke Perry | 1978-79 | Wayne Buote | 2007-08 |
| Dan Landry | 1979-80 | Andrew Payzant | 2008 -09 |
Deceased*
Please Note: The office of President changed to Chair of the Board in 1996.
