Russ Kathrein Named Chair of NLBMDA Council
The Do it Best executive will now guide supply chain priorities and manufacturer collaboration for national lumber dealers.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in People
Russ Kathrein, vice president of lumber and building materials at Do it Best, has been appointed chair of the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) Manufacturers and Services Council. This role places Kathrein on the association's board of directors, where he will oversee initiatives connecting manufacturers and service providers with independent lumber dealers.
Why it matters
The appointment links a high-level distributor executive directly to the policymaking arm of the lumber and building materials trade association. Operators in this sector rely on these industry councils to align vendor priorities with dealer inventory and service needs during shifting market cycles.
The Manufacturers and Services Council represents the full universe of manufacturers and service providers supporting the lumber and building materials industry. Kathrein now holds one of the industry's key bridge roles, balancing the perspectives of suppliers against the NLBMDA board's broader dealer agenda.
The players
Russ Kathrein
The vice president of lumber and building materials at Do it Best who now leads the manufacturers and services council.
NLBMDA
A national trade association representing the independent lumber and building materials dealer industry.
The details
As chair, Kathrein is responsible for guiding council priorities and facilitating collaboration between material suppliers and independent retailers. By moving into the seat on the board of directors, he effectively bridges the operational gap between upstream manufacturers and the downstream dealer base, ensuring service provider perspectives inform association policy.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: The election of Russ Kathrein as council chair was officially announced.
Market Landscape
This appointment follows the established pattern of rotating industry executives through the chair position to maintain alignment between suppliers and dealers. It marks a continuity in the industry strategy of integrating manufacturer insights directly into the dealer-led governance of the association.
Dealers and manufacturers should monitor future council agendas for shifts in how supply chain challenges are addressed at the association level. Operators should use the upcoming annual association meetings to track whether this leadership change alters procurement or partnership policies.
The takeaway
The appointment signals a continued effort to unify the supply chain voice within the lumber industry. Operators should keep an eye on upcoming board communications from the association for shifts in vendor collaboration standards that could impact inventory sourcing and lead times.
Further reading
For broader trends in industry leadership and professional moves, see our coverage of People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by HBS Dealer.
