Bob Carson retiring from LBM Advantage
LBM Advantage announced that after a successful 49-year career in the lumber and building industry, Bob Carson, vice president of Southern Operations, will retire on March 17.
Carson began his career in 1974 as a buyer for Howard’s Home Center in Monroe, Louisiana. Within a short period, he was hired by Allied Building Stores Inc. as a merchandising manager and thereafter held several progressive positions as vice president of building material development, vice president of operations, executive vice president, and vice president of strategic planning.
In 2009, market needs and an entrepreneurial spirit led him to open his own wholesale lumber company. The last decade of his career has been spent with ENAP/LBM Advantage helping to establish growth for the co-op in the southern territory.
Recently, Carson has been instrumental in assisting Joe Burlison, LBM Advantage vice president of Southwest Operations, with the opening of LBM Advantage’s newest outpost in Conroe, Texas.
“I’ve known Bob Carson for 30 years. He has a terrific reputation with dealers, vendors, and staff,” Burlison said. “He has been the driving force for Advantage’s growth in the South and his knowledge and experience with be greatly missed.”
With Carson’s expertise, LBM Advantage now has a solid southern membership that continues to move westward. LBM Advantage is one of the nation’s largest lumber and building cooperatives.
“Bob Carson has been a true asset to our cooperative since 2012,” said LBM Advantage President and CEO Steve Sallah. “His retirement is bittersweet milestone for our company. We are incredibly proud and grateful for the growth that he brought to our business and will miss his ingenuity and dedication. We are delighted, however, that he will be able to spend more time enjoying his family and his hobbies.”
Carson was officially recognized with a send-off dinner at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill in Orlando, Florida during the 2023 LBM Advantage Annual Buying Show & Shareholders Meeting.
Executives and staff were on hand to celebrate his achievements and thank him for his many years of hard work and loyal service. Chef Wolfgang Puck also was present in the restaurant and graciously signed a cookbook for Carson as a retirement gift.
LBM Advantage operates four locations in New Windsor, New York; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Smithfield, North Carolina; and Conroe, Texas.