A letter from Kevin Hancock | October 2019
Hello!
I am writing to share some exciting news. Beginning in January 2020, Paul Wainman (our current CFO) is going to become President of Hancock Lumber. I am going to continue working as CEO and BOD Chair. I am not retiring or planning on retiring. So, this move is just additive in nature – we are simply strengthening and deepening our leadership team. I have never wanted this company to be about ‘me’. I want it to be about all of us – employees, customers, suppliers, and communities.
Paul joined
Hancock Lumber in February of 2016 and has done an exceptional job. Since then,
Paul has worked directly with every business unit in our company developing
budgets, business plans, strategy, and capital reinvestments. Along the way,
Paul has played a leading role in strengthening our cultural priorities around
employee engagement, safety, and customer care. He is exceptionally well versed
on the company as a whole. Paul brings passion, curiosity, thoughtfulness,
enthusiasm, collaboration, respect, and a competitive spirit to his work. His
qualities and the company’s values are very well aligned. I am excited for you
to meet him if you have not already done so.
Hancock Lumber
is designed to be a place where everybody leads. Every voice in our company is
important, and every person on our team has a critical role. Even within our
senior executive team, our leadership approach is shared. That team is
comprised of Kevin Hynes (sawmill division COO), Mark Hopkins (retail division
COO), Wendy Scribner (Human Resources Director), Paul Wainman (CFO), Erin
Plummer (Marketing & Communications Director), Jim Buchanan (BOD Vice
Chair), and myself. As an executive team we have, for years, made the important
decisions collaboratively and collectively. In our work we don’t get hung up on
titles. We each know our roles and we just help each other and try to make the
best possible decisions for the future of the company. So, while on one level,
Paul becoming President is a big moment, on another level it’s a subtle change
by design.
Finally,
a word about me. I have had the privilege of working for this company since
1991 and I have been President since 1998. Shortly thereafter, I assumed the
roles of CEO and Board Chair. I love this company and plan to keep working and
supporting our efforts for a long time to come. My connection to the company is
a lifetime affair. As such, my role has and should evolve over time. My first
adult job at Hancock Lumber was working on the front counter at the Yarmouth
store. From there I spent a number of years running the Windham store. There
was a time for each of those roles, but also a time to move past them. That’s
all that’s happening here. I’m just evolving my role and I remain super excited
about our future.
Our
company has been doing business since 1848. I have always recognized that
Hancock Lumber did just fine before I arrived-and, someday it will do just fine
without me in the future. I like making senior leadership decisions that evolve
in slow and measured ways, so they’re barely noticeable. I plan to be here for
many years to come. I love what we do and the customers we do it with. So,
thank you for always being so supportive and committed to our relationship. Our
company is blessed to have so many great customers. Those relationships
typically last for decades, careers, and even across generations. It’s a
blessing to be a part of them and connected to you all.
You can reach me any time at my email address listed below. I would love to hear from you!
Thank you! I appreciate you!
Kevin Hancock
Chairman & CEO
[email protected]
“There is a great deal of power to be tapped in creating an organization where everybody leads…
where everybody makes decisions…
where everybody’s empowered.”– Kevin hancock