Executive changes at BlueLinx

BlueLinx Holdings, the Atlanta-based distributor of building products, has announced in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that one officer has left the company and another has dropped his executive status.

Duane Goodwin, age 50, the company’s chief supply chain officer, resigned his position effective April 1. Goodwin came to BlueLinx in 2005 from Home Depot, which he joined in 1994, serving in a variety of positions including VP merchandising – hardware; VP global sourcing; and divisional merchandise manager. Before that, Goodwin was with Wal-Mart Stores. Prior to joining BlueLinx, Goodwin also served as an outside consultant to Cerberus beginning in 2005.

In connection with Goodwin’s departure, BlueLinx expects to enter into a settlement agreement and general release with Goodwin, in which he will receive a cash payment in the amount of $500,000.

Harold Cohen, age 62, is no longer an executive officer of BlueLinx, effective April 1, according to the SEC filing. Cohen will continue as chairman of the board of directors in a non-executive capacity, however. Cohen began serving as BlueLinx chairman in March 2008 and as a board member since September 2007. Cohen also held the position of interim CEO from March 2008 through October 2008.

Prior to joining BlueLinx as an executive officer, Cohen was a senior advisor at Cerberus Capital Management.

BlueLinx operates sales centers in Atlanta and Denver, distributing building products through a network of more than 70 warehouses in North America.