From research to real-world enterprise

From forestry research to entrepreneurship

• 1969 — Completed forestry studies at National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan.
• 1973 — Earned a master’s degree at Virginia Tech.
• 1978 — Earned a Ph.D. at Oregon State University; also worked in the U.S. forest-products industry.
• 1979–1989 — Academic, research, and industry roles in Taiwan included teaching at National Chung Hsing University, work at the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, and editing Modern Furniture Industry.
• 1990 — Established Global Forest Corporation in Scottsboro, Alabama. His research and business activities provided the context for the Hardwood Center concept.
• Early 1990s — Developed the specialty hardwood retail concept that would become Hardwood Center.
• 2003, November 18 — Dr. Lei coordinated a roundtable in Scottsboro connecting researchers and furniture-industry representatives. The day included a morning tour of Hardwood Center; the roundtable met at the Jackson County Economic Development Authority.
• 2004 — Wrote the white paper Dare to Dream, Dare to Do, dedicated to Christina Lei.
• 2007–2008 — Undertook consulting and field research connected with forest-products raw materials in Russia.
• 2009–2011 — Published essays exploring the forest-products industry, management, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
• 2012 — Began 《山中無老虎》, his unfinished book bringing together research and entrepreneurial experience. ↗

In the Press & Historical Record

Global Forest Corporation was part of Dr. Lei’s work in forest products and enterprise in Scottsboro. Hardwood Center developed as a specialty retail and business-model concept within that wider professional history;

Original design used on Hardwood Center letterhead

1991 Media Coverage — Commonwealth Magazine (天下雜誌) — View original 1991 article in Chinese →

“Two Paths Forward for Taiwan’s Furniture Industry” (〈台灣家具業的兩線生機〉). This 1991 Chinese-language article discusses Taiwan’s furniture industry and includes Dr. Lei’s professional perspectives. It is coverage about his work, not an article he authored. Article in Chinese.