Fenton Hord to Retire From Stock

After serving as president and CEO for two decades, Fenton Hord will retire from Stock Building Supply, the industry ’ s largest pro dealer, on July 31. Ford will be succeeded by Joe Appelmann, an 18-year veteran, now the company’s senior vp-operations.

Hord, 60, said he has been struggling with health problems over the past several years. “They’ve pushed me to go [into retirement] a little earlier than I planned,” Hord told HCN. “I’ve been working for 41 years straight. I need to slow down and get my health back.”

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Stock Building Supply was a regional chain of seven lumberyards that catered to custom builders when Hord was hired in 1987 as executive vp. Three months later, he was named president and CEO. Under his stewardship, the Raleigh, N.C.-based company—known for most of Hord’s tenure at Carolina Holdings—made a series of strategic acquisitions, evolving into a nationwide supplier of building materials with 310 locations and $5.3 billion in sales last year.

Appelmann, described by Hord as his “hand-picked choice,” joined Stock in 1988 as corporate controller. He also served in various operations positions, ultimately replacing Dick Rose, senior vp-logistics, when he retired in 2005. Most recently, Appelmann has held the title of senior vp-operations, where he oversaw branch operations, manufacturing and installed sales.