Allen named new president of Forest Tek
Kodiak Building Partners today announced that Tom Allen has joined Forest Tek as president and will oversee all operations for Forest Tek Lumber, Overseas Lumber Supply, and Keys Mercantile in the Florida Keys.
Allen will report to Pat Flood, executive vice president of operations for Kodiak’s retail lumber and gypsum sectors.
Forest Tek/Overseas Lumber serves professional builders, custom home builders, contractors, and homeowners since 1982 while high-quality lumber, hardware, and building materials to the Florida Keys.
“We are confident that the addition of Tom Allen to Kodiak and Forest Tek in this role will maximize his talents and enable us to continue to execute our expansion and operations in the Florida Keys,” Flood said. “With Tom’s expertise in commercial excellence and complex manufacturing and supply chains, we are confident that Forest Tek will continue its stellar performance. Tom has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership and results-driven and long-term strategic thinking in his past management roles, putting his teams and operations first.”
Allen spent most of his career at 84 Lumber Company with over 27 years of experience in building materials sales and management. During his time at 84 Lumber, Allen proved himself as a motivated sales and team leader and holds various achievements in sales management, contract negotiations, purchasing, and team building over the years. Kodiak said.
Most recently, Allen was instrumental in leading the company expansion of Dufrene Building Materials and overseeing the construction of its new Mississippi gulf coast location while developing sales in the territory acting as general manager and sole territory salesman.
Before his tenure in the building materials industry, Allen spent two years on active duty with the United States Navy.
“With this leadership change, Kodiak is aligning the outstanding talent within our operating leadership team with the company’s value creation mission and long-term strategy for growth,” said Kodiak CEO Steve Swinney. “Tom’s appointment to President reinforces and accelerates Forest Tek’s longstanding commitment to providing high-quality lumber and building materials to the Florida Keys professional builders, custom home builders, contractors, and homeowners.”
Kodiak Building Partners acquired Forest Tek Lumber and Overseas Lumber in July 2018. The moved marked Kodiak's entry into the Florida Keys region.
“I am thrilled to take this next step in my career with Forest Tek and Kodiak,” said Allen. “I am continuously inspired by the customers of the building materials industry to evolve our businesses to meet the needs of customers and support them at every stage of their project. I look forward to working with my team at Forest Tek and the leadership team at Kodiak to enable transformation and explore new ways to serve the Florida Keys Community.”
Over the years, Forest Tek has expanded its product offering to become a full-service retail window and door dealer which includes expanded showroom and installation options. Forest Tek Lumber, Overseas Lumber, and Keys Mercantile stores feature building materials, tools, lawn and garden supplies, paint, electrical, plumbing, and more with competitive pricing, and top-notch customer service.
Mark Hayes previously served as president of the Forest Tek division.
Founded in 2011 and based in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Kodiak has acquired more than 100 locations over the past 11 years. The company operates locations in more than 25 states.
