2011 Long-Sullivan Award

Since 2005, the Southern Pine Council (SPC) has presented its Long-Sullivan Award, recognizing a building or design professional who has demonstrated outstanding use of our products. This award is named for two early 20th century marketing pioneers of the Southern Pine lumber industry – Robert A. Long and W.H. Sullivan.

This year, a committee of six SPC members reviewed five very strong nominations: submissions from a custom homebuilder, three architects, and a custom deck builder. After careful consideration, the 2011 recipient is John Paulin, owner of Tailor Decks in Statham, Georgia.

His designs feature a custom-milled decking product he calls Tailored Wood, with a top surface crowned slightly to shed water and help prevent cupping. Both sides are beveled, too, allowing water and debris to pass freely between deck boards. On the underside of each piece, he includes a relief cut to further reduce checking and cupping. John brings these same innovations to his porch flooring material, railing posts and rail caps.

Since 1994, John has been one of the Atlanta area’s premier deck and porch builders. Last year, one of his projects was recognized as the Best Treated Wood Deck by the North American Deck & Railing Association (NADRA).

“At a time when many upscale deck contractors have gone to tropical hardwoods and composites, John continues to emphasize the beauty, versatility, and strength of real wood,” comments Huck DeVenzio of Arch Treatment Technologies, who submitted John’s nomination. SPC Chairman Kerlin Drake of Anthony Forest Products (right) presented the award to John August 9 during the Southern Pine Council’s annual meeting in Atlanta.

Awards from the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA)

• Tailor Decks won the 2010 Best Pressure Treated Deck Award
• Tailor Decks won the 2011 2nd place Award for illumination
• Tailor Decks won the 2011 Best Deck Over 500 sq. ft. Award
• Tailor Decks won the 2011 Best Overall Deck Award