38 WESTERN PALLET
Ed Brindley Jr.: A Teacher at Heart and a Steady Voice for the Pallet Industry
On December 11, the Western Pallet Association lost one of its oldest and most faithful friends, and the pallet sector lost an enduring thought leader. With the passing of Ed Brindley Jr. at the age of 82, the industry said goodbye to a man who devoted his life to teaching, reporting, and connecting people across the pallet and lumber sectors.
Ed Brindley spent his professional life helping others understand complex information and apply it in practical ways. Before entering publishing, he built a career in academia, teaching mathematical statistics at Bowling Green State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia State University. Though he earned tenure, he ultimately chose a different path — one that allowed him to teach beyond the classroom.
In 1977, Ed founded Industrial Reporting Inc. and launched the Wooden Pallet Index, the first regular market report focused on the pallet and low-grade lumber industries. The publication provided consistent pricing and market insight at a time when such information was difficult to obtain. It later evolved into Pallet Profile Weekly, which remains a valued source of information for pallet producers across North America.
Several years later, Ed founded Pallet Enterprise Magazine, followed by TimberLine Magazine and Recycle Record. Through these publications, he wrote about and visited pallet companies throughout the country, building long-standing relat- ionships. He valued those visits as oppor- tunities to listen, learn, and encourage small and family-owned businesses.
Ed and his wife Carolyn Meeks Brindley were regular attendees at Western Pallet Association meetings, where Ed was frequently invited to speak. He enjoyed hearing directly from western producers and sharing insights from other regions. As a small business owner himself, he identified closely with pallet entrepreneurs and understood the challenges they faced.
Family members and colleagues described Ed as a kind, gentle man with a sharp mind. Though widely respected for his intel- ligence, he was not someone who sought attention. Speakers at his Celebration of Life recalled his ability to make people feel welcome, noting that many in the pallet industry remembered Ed as one of the first people to greet them.
Faith was an important part of Ed’s life. A committed Christian, he enjoyed conver- sations about faith with people in the pallet and lumber industries. Along with others, he helped establish a church service at the national pallet association meeting, which continues today as a prayer meeting. He also served in church leadership and participated in small group ministry in the Richmond area.
Ed shared 62 years of marriage with Carolyn and was deeply proud of his two sons, Edward Scott Brindley Sr. and Chaille Michael Brindley, both of whom worked alongside him in the family business. Scott joined in the early years, while Chaille later contributed during and after his jouranlism degree. Ed also took great joy in his four grandchildren — Scott, Matthew, Meghan, and Daniel Brindley — and spoke with gratitude about his daughters-in-law, Melissa Meadows Brindley and Lydia Shanks Brindley.
Those closest to Ed remembered both his intellect and his humor. He loved math, enjoyed puzzles such as Sudoku, and retained his ability to calculate quickly even later in life. At the same time, he enjoyed teasing his sons and supporting family activities with enthusiasm.
At his service, speakers compared Ed’s life to the pallet industry itself — often overlooked, rarely celebrated, yet essential. Like the pallet, Ed worked largely behind the scenes, providing structure and stability that allowed others to move forward. For more than 45 years, he contributed steadily to an industry built on reliability and trust.
Ed Brindley’s legacy lives on through the publications he founded, the professionals he encouraged, and the family members who continue his work. He will be remembered as a teacher, a connector, and a steady presence who left an indelible mark on the industry he serviced.