The 'Summit' of high performance
One of the marquee sessions of the 2021 ProDealer Industry Summit celebrated the achievements of the ProDealers of the Year. It also recognized long-time industry leaders for their individual contributions.
Dakota County Lumber of Farmington, Minn., and McCray Lumber of the Kansas City metro area officially received the Independent ProDealer of the Year, and the ProDealer of the Year award, respectively. The ceremony took place virtually during the ProDealer Industry Summit, hosted jointly by HBSDealer and the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association.
McCray Lumber has been a leader in the building products community since 1947, when it was founded as Daniels-McCray Lumber Company. Organic growth– such as the opening of Pioneer Millwork in 1974 -- has been compounded by notable acquisitions over the years: R.L. Sweet Lumber Company (1997), Grand River Lumber Company (2001), Builder’s Resource (2004), and Whelan’s Lumber (2008).
Hatch McCray and Chandler McCray, grandchildren of the founder, continue the traditions of the family business with a focus on growing to serve their markets. Hatch’s efforts on behalf of the industry extend to the Mid-America Lumbermens Association, of which he is immediate past president.
The Farmington, Minn., family business was founded in 1984 and is now led by second generation owner Sunny Bowman.
“Having our team recognized for their hard work and dedication to doing business the right way, especially on the heels of an extremely challenging year, is extremely heartening,” said Bowman. “As an all-hands-on-deck operation, like so many other small independent yards, this award belongs to every single member of our incredible team.”
The annual ProDealer of the Year Award is presented to an Independent and multi-unit lumberyard company that exhibits, high-performance, innovation and the values of the lumber and building material industry. The award in 2021 once again is the result of collaboration between HBSDealer and the NLBMDA.
Also during the Friday presentation, LMC President & CEO John Somerville received the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) Lifetime Distinguished Service Award “in recognition of dedicated service and outstanding contributions toward advancing the mission and goals of the [NLBMDA] and the entire lumber and building material industry.”
Somerville is a former Board and Executive Committee member of the NLBMDA. He has also served as the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Manufacturers Service Council, and as a member of the NLBMDA Strategic Sustainability Task Group, Membership Task Force, and Strategic Conference Planning Committee.
"It has been truly an honor to work with such an important association that represents the best interests of all the Lumber and Building material dealers across the country," Somerville said.
Earlier this year, Somerville announced his retirement at the end of June with current LMC Senior Vice President of Finance and Technology Paul Ryan set to assume the role.
The NLBMDA also recognized the industry contributions of Rick Lierz, a former chairman of the NLBMDA, and current CEO of Franklin Building Supply of Boise, Idaho. Franklin Building Supply is the state's largest independent pro dealer.
Earlier this year, Somerville announced his retirement at the end of June with current LMC Senior Vice President of Finance and Technology Paul Ryan set to assume the role.
The NLBMDA also recognized the industry contributions of Rick Lierz, a former chairman of the NLBMDA and current CEO of Franklin Building Supply of Boise, Idaho. Franklin Building Supply is the state's largest independent pro dealer.