Jake and Jessica Hickman of Allegheny Mountain Hardwood Flooring out of Emlenton, PA, were named two of the first ever “40 Under 40” in the Hardwood Floors Magazine.

This edition of the magazine recognized 40 industry professionals under the age of 40 who are helping to determine the future of the wood flooring industry. These individuals are today’s movers and shakers who are already setting the pace for tomorrow.

Jake and Jessica were on the cover and profiled in the article.

Jake Hickman
Operations Manager, Hickman Lumber

Jake grew up working at the Hickman Lumber sawmill during the summers, starting at the bottom by stacking boards. After college, he spent a few years working in construction and traveling the country. He came back full-time to Hickman Lumber in 2008, went to lumber grading school, and committed himself to becoming the fourth generation of the Hickman family running the sawmill. He’s at the mill every day making sure the lumber is cut and dried correctly to make the high-quality material for which Hickman Lumber is known. This lumber is then used at Allegheny Mountain Hardwood Flooring and is shipped all across the world. Jake is a member of the local Chamber of Commerce and volunteers to organize the local summer festival in town.

Jessica Hickman Fresch
Marketing Director, Allegheny Mountain Hardwood Flooring

Jessica returned to the family business in 2012 to help with the sales and marketing at Allegheny Mountain Hardwood Flooring. Her first year, she spent time in the woods with the foresters, at the sawmill, and in the flooring plant, to gain a solid understanding of the whole process from the forest to the floor. She updated the company website, wrote blogs, and advanced social media with the intention of educating the consumers so they can understand the importance of purchasing a quality product. Jessica has been working with the Pittsburgh Green Building Alliance on an educational event that demonstrates how lumber is harvested, cut, and dried, followed by a tour of the flooring plant. She is currently the president of Pittsburgh East Rotary Club, which provides and cooks food at a shelter once a month as well as raises money for local and international causes. She’s also the inbound co-chair for the Rotary Youth Exchange and helps with international students studying in Pittsburgh.

Click here to find the online article.

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