Scott Leavengood

Discussions of ‘wood innovation’ often quickly shift to categories of innovation. Specifically, is the innovation a new product, a new process, or a new way of doing business (i.e., a business systems innovation)? Perhaps more interesting is understanding what drives or inspires these innovations. After many years of working directly with inventors and innovators, it is clear that these drivers are changing. This presentation will explore innovation in wood products through several case examples, emphasizing what drives each innovation and the factors that lead to successful commercialization, or ‘scaling up.’

Speaker Biography

Scott Leavengood – Director, Oregon Wood Innovation Center, College of Forestry, Oregon State University

Scott Leavengood is the Director of the Oregon Wood Innovation Center (OWIC) at Oregon State University and has worked in Wood Products Extension since 1994. His work focuses on connecting research and education with the needs of Oregon's wood products industry while supporting entrepreneurs through market assessments and product testing. Leavengood previously served as a Wood Products Extension Agent in southern Oregon and the Portland metropolitan area, providing technical assistance and training to wood products manufacturers. His areas of expertise include wood technology, quality and process control, and utilization of lesser-known wood species. He holds a PhD in Engineering Management from Portland State University, where his research examined best practices in quality management for achieving quality and innovation performance. Leavengood was recently recognized as Educator of the Year by the Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST).

Recommended Readings

Kattenbroek, B. (2007).  The commercialization of wood acetylation technology on a large scale. European Conference on Wood Modification 2007.

Rowell, R. M. (2006). Acetylation of wood—Journey from analytical technique to commercial reality. Forest Products Journal Vol. 56 No. 9.