Industry icon receives plaudits from NLBMDA
The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) presented its Chairman's Award to Brett Hanson, co-founder and owner of Tri-State Building Center, during the recent ProDealer Industry Summit held in Savannah, Georgia.
“The years I have spent as a member of the NLBMDA board of directors have been some of the most educational years of my life as far as business goes," said Hanson. "The industry is filled with like-minded people willing to give you advice at any time. My success is due to my wife and family, along with surrounding myself with the best people in the industry. I am truly grateful for all that make this industry great.”
Hanson grew up around the construction industry in rural South Dakota. After graduating high school, he attended both South Dakota State University and North Dakota State University. After graduating and completing an internship in engineering, he packed his bags and moved back to Sisseton, South Dakota, where he was born and raised.
In 1998, Brett became co-owner of Hanson & Evenson Construction, where he and his eventual business partners in the lumber business served the Sisseton community and the surrounding areas as a general contractor. As a builder, Brett built a strong reputation but realized something was missing in the community… a lumber yard.
In 2011, Hanson, his brother Troy and longtime friend, Dan Evenson, formed Tri-State Building Center. In 2012, they purchased the hardware store in Sisseton… and the rest is history. Today, Tri-State Building Center offers a full selection of lumber, building materials and hardware products.
Starting in 2012, Hanson joined the Northwestern Lumber Association (now BLD Connection) and now serves on its board of directors. Recently elected as vice chairman, he will take the reins of chairman in 2026.
In 2019, he was elected to the NLBMDA board of directors, where he has been active on the LuDPAC Board of Trustees, Government Affairs Committee and in NLBMDA’s legislative activities. As a board member and business owner, Hanson has hosted dozens of members of Congress and state legislatures at Tri-State Building Center.
Hanson's motto is: “I am committed to making things better, no matter what I do or where I am. My family and community are my passion and then the rest of the world.”
"NLBMDA has been blessed ever since Brett joined the NLBMDA board of directors," said NLBMDA president & CEO Jonathan Paine. "Brett's selflessness, willingness to help and desire to make a positive impact on anyone that he comes across are all attributes that I admire in him."
Hanson has served as a volunteer firefighter since 2014 and enjoys riding horses, learning the game of golf and is a martial artist. When not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Kelly, and their three children, Colter, Andra and Bryson.
