Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Douglas Carlson

Fond du Lac,WI

Summary

Senior-level executive with over 21 years of experience in the LBM industry, specializing in market strategy development and executive leadership. Successfully scaled two of the fastest growing LBM companies in the Midwest, fostering strong team alignment and builder relationships. Proven ability to drive sales growth and enhance operational efficiency through strategic planning and effective management. Expertise in transforming challenges into opportunities, significantly impacting company growth and profitability.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience

Work History

Divisional Vice President of Sales

USLBM
10.2023 - 08.2025
  • Developed strategies to enhance market share and profitability within division.
  • Analyzed market trends to guide strategic decision-making and business development initiatives.
  • Facilitated communication among executive team members regarding company’s strategic direction.
  • Coached team members on skills development, career progression, and professional growth.
  • Managed vendor contracts, ensuring optimal pricing and adherence to quality standards.
  • Mentored division leaders to strengthen leadership capabilities and operational efficiency.
  • Conducted performance reviews for department managers and staff to drive accountability.
  • Collaborated with other divisions on projects impacting overall organizational outcomes.
  • Reviewed sales reports to track progress against goals.
  • Exceeded sales goals through upselling and cross-selling within existing client base as well as strategically attracting new business.
  • Built relationships with key customers to ensure satisfaction and loyalty.

Executive Vice President

Zuern Building Products
11.2020 - 05.2023
  • Built and retained sales teams for growth ($78M to $150M), talent acquisition (sales leadership development model), and margin growth (2.3% GP points) through key vendor partnerships and product category growth
  • Created company structure of process and accountability with the acquisition of three new general managers
  • Provided strategic leadership for human resources to hire, retain and develop new talent
  • Grew a team culture while remaining true to roots as a family run business
  • Introduced a level of accountability that helped drive respect and equality in the organization
  • Managed daily business health -Bistrack dashboards
  • Implement monthly financial review and business health meeting with ownership group
  • Structured weekly Up and Up meetings with HR, IT, operations, and with GMs/Ops to stay focused
  • Set 90-day goals with all leadership and worked our strategy towards those goals
  • Set company financial KPIs where no previous structured initiatives existed
  • Developed key roles in departments for strategic growth
  • Set special order benchmarks and stock pricing matrix for profit margin improvements with purchasing team
  • Deployed key market strategies for growth of certain product categories (Decking and Windows)

Vice President of Sales and Operations

Drexel Building Supply
11.2011 - 08.2020
  • Grew company from 3 locations (50 MM) to 7 locations (280 MM) with addition of 2 greenfield locations and 2 truss plants
  • Researched and acquired 1st manufacturing facility for Drexel (Truss Systems)
  • Mounted strategies and implementation of OTIF tracking and customer stratification
  • Executed general manager meetings with progressional monthly goals
  • Development and implementation of sales leadership model- (RSL) regional sales leadership supported by departmental leaders (Product leaders in each Category)
  • Started a commercial/multifamily sales model and team from ground up
  • Collaborated to build teams core values and unique company culture
  • Developed cabinetry sales leadership model, hired designers and structured for growth
  • Leadership development training for team by Dale Caraigie

Wisconsin Sales Manager

Stock Building Supply/Wisconsin Building Supply
03.2004 - 11.2011
  • Management in Training program
  • Operations Manager
  • Account Sales Manager
  • Commercial Sales Manager
  • Wisconsin District Sales Manager

Education

Wolseley Executive Leadership Development -

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA
01.2009

Masters of Business Administration - MBA

Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI
01.2007

Bachelor of Science - Operations Management & Marketing

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
01.2004

Skills

  • Strategic planning and business development
  • Sales leadership and management
  • Market analysis and evaluation
  • Customer relationship management
  • Vendor negotiation and management
  • Coaching and mentoring
  • Change management strategies
  • Talent acquisition and engagement
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Business acumen
  • Executive leadership
  • Business structure development
  • Brand development
  • Profit and loss management

Accomplishments

  • Developed and scaled massive growth models for two successful independent LBM companies.
  • Leading other Leaders Program, 2025
  • Speaker, LBM Strategies Conference – Focus on Recruitment and Retention, 2021.
  • Pro Dealer of Year by LBM Journal, 2021.
  • National 4 Under 40 Award , Pro Sales Magazine, 2015.
  • Featured Dealer - LBM Journal, June 2015.
  • Speaker on Bradley Hartmann Podcast.

Timeline

Divisional Vice President of Sales

USLBM
10.2023 - 08.2025

Executive Vice President

Zuern Building Products
11.2020 - 05.2023

Vice President of Sales and Operations

Drexel Building Supply
11.2011 - 08.2020

Wisconsin Sales Manager

Stock Building Supply/Wisconsin Building Supply
03.2004 - 11.2011

Wolseley Executive Leadership Development -

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

Masters of Business Administration - MBA

Cardinal Stritch University

Bachelor of Science - Operations Management & Marketing

Marquette University

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