NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LP Building Solutions Chief Executive Officer Brad Southern has been named by Fastmarkets RISI as the 2019 North American CEO of the Year. Fastmarkets RISI is the leading information provider for the global forest products industry. The award will be presented at the organization’s North American Conference on October 29, 2019 in Boston, Mass.
A group of investment analysts and portfolio managers covering the North American and global pulp and paper industry selected Southern for his role at LP, an innovative leader in high-performance building solutions. According to Fastmarkets RISI, analysts credited Southern for LP’s new strategic direction and product innovation. One analyst credited him for helping the company with capital redeployment and another praised him stating, “LP is a company on the rebound due to Southern’s dedicated leadership.”
“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by Fastmarkets RISI and the investor and analyst community, an honor that is highly valued by our employees across North America,” Southern said. “Our success is driven by a high-performing team of 5,000 employees focused on transforming LP into a leading building solutions company that delivers top-tier value to our customers and shareholders.”
In announcing the CEO of the Year Award, Fastmarkets RISI noted that LP has made significant progress in its business transformation efforts over the last several years by substantially growing its LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding business and increasing its value-added portfolio of structural solutions sold by its OSB business, including LP FlameBlock® Fire-Rated Sheathing, LP TechShield® Radiant Barrier, LP Legacy® Premium Sub-Flooring and LP WeatherLogic® Air & Water Barrier.
Southern joined LP in 1999 and worked in multiple segments in the company before becoming CEO in 2017. Prior to becoming CEO, he was Chief Operating Officer from 2016-2017, during which time the company reported a net sales increase of 29 percent over the previous year. From 2005- 2015 he led LP’s siding business before taking the lead for OSB operations, a position he held until he was named COO in 2016. He began his career with MacMillan Bloedel as a forester, where he held a variety of jobs in forestry, strategic planning, finance, accounting and plant management. A native of Georgia, he has a B.S. and a master’s degree in Forest Resources, both from the University of Georgia.
About Fastmarkets RISI
Fastmarkets is the leading price reporting, analytics and events organization for global commodities markets, including the forest products sector, as Fastmarkets RISI. Businesses working in the pulp and paper, packaging, wood products, timber, biomass, tissue, and nonwovens markets use Fastmarkets RISI data and insights to benchmark prices, settle contracts and inform their strategies worldwide. Along with objective price reporting and industry data, Fastmarkets RISI provides forecasts, analysis, conferences and consulting services to stakeholders throughout the forest products supply chain.
About LP
As a proven leader in high performance building solutions, LP Building Solutions manufactures uniquely engineered, innovative building products that meet the demands and needs of the building industry. Its extensive product portfolio includes durable and dependable exterior siding and trim systems, engineered wood framing and structural panels for single-family homes, multifamily projects, repair & remodel markets, light commercial facilities and outdoor buildings. LP also provides industry leading service and warranties to help customers build smarter, better and faster. Founded in 1973, LP is a global company headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and traded on the New York Stock exchange under LPX. For more information, visit LPCorp.com.
