FREMONT, OHIO – Privately-owned Gordon Lumber Company has selected Erin Leonard to become the company’s new president effective November 1, 2014. The Ohio-based company employs 132 people in nine locations and was founded in 1868.
Leonard, who started with Gordon Lumber in 2011 and most recently served as chief operating officer for the company, was chosen to fill the role of president after an extensive nationwide search. “Erin exhibits the talent, skills and enthusiasm to lead us forward,” says Gary Kohli, chairman of the board for Gordon Lumber. “We have confidence he will incorporate the great traditions and history of our company with its new challenges and opportunities to help grow Gordon Lumber.”
A graduate of Ohio University, Leonard resides in Perrysburg, Ohio with his family. He has more than 18 years experience in the building products industry with positions previously held at Carter Lumber, 84 Lumber Company, United Building Centers and Stock Building Supply.
“I’m honored to have this opportunity to lead Gordon Lumber toward an even more successful future,” says Leonard. “This dedicated team has great potential for continuing to grow our 146-year old company and serve the changing needs of our builder, remodeler and homeowner customers throughout the Western Lake Erie Basin.
“I look forward to leveraging our talented employees, outstanding reputation and the historic nature of the Gordon Lumber brand toward becoming the most agile and customer-focused company in our industry.”
Prior to Leonard becoming president, Gordon Lumber retained T.J. Coombs of Coombs & Associates, LLC, to serve as interim CEO and strategic advisor for the company. During this time Coombs worked closely with senior leadership and the company’s board of directors to provide executive leadership, management assessment and recommendations on the organization’s structure, executive search process and corporate governance. Based out of Atlanta, Coombs & Associates is a business advisory firm providing strategic planning, interim executive leadership and turnaround services to businesses in the building materials and basic materials industries.
Gordon Lumber operates seven lumberyards in northwest Ohio (in Bellevue, Bowling Green, Fremont, Genoa, Findlay, Huron and Port Clinton. The company also has a components and truss plant in Findlay along with a design and window gallery in Perrysburg. Annual sales are approximately $40 million.
News release provided by Gordon Lumber