Brian Wilcox joined Lumbermen’s on November 13, 2022, bringing both technical expertise and a people-first mindset to Counter Solutions by Lumbermen’s. What first drew Brian to the company was its ESOP program. “Employee-ownership is a very exciting prospect in this era where pensions are nearly extinct,” he says. “Add on that we truly make an effort to intentionally care for each other, and our employee-ownership reaches the highest level—we are legitimately all in this together.”
As Stone Production Supervisor overseeing CNC operations and programming, Brian’s role is “joyfully dynamic.” He manages CNC scheduling to ensure pieces are cut and finished precisely when needed for installation, tracks tooling and machine usage to plan proactive maintenance, and works closely with the CNC team to communicate program nuances and job-specific tooling. His focus on precision helps deliver the high-quality edges and finishes that drive customer satisfaction and long-term loyalty.
Brian is especially energized by the growth of Counter Solutions since its move to a new facility. “There is nothing more exciting than being part of a fast-growing operation,” he shares. Balancing daily production with continual process improvements to boost efficiency and quality—and watching the team rise to those challenges together—has been a career highlight.
Outside of work, Brian’s greatest joy is his family. He’s a proud dad to two daughters—Gracie, a freshman at Northern Michigan University, and Lila, a seventh grader—both deeply involved in theater, choir, and dance. Brian’s favorite hobby is recording and editing their performances, helping preserve and share those moments with their troupes and families for years to come.
Brian Wilcox joined Lumbermen’s on November 13, 2022, bringing both technical expertise and a people-first mindset to Counter Solutions by Lumbermen’s. What first drew Brian to the company was its ESOP program. “Employee-ownership is a very exciting prospect in this era where pensions are nearly extinct,” he says. “Add on that we truly make an effort to intentionally care for each other, and our employee-ownership reaches the highest level—we are legitimately all in this together.”
As Stone Production Supervisor overseeing CNC operations and programming, Brian’s role is “joyfully dynamic.” He manages CNC scheduling to ensure pieces are cut and finished precisely when needed for installation, tracks tooling and machine usage to plan proactive maintenance, and works closely with the CNC team to communicate program nuances and job-specific tooling. His focus on precision helps deliver the high-quality edges and finishes that drive customer satisfaction and long-term loyalty.
Brian is especially energized by the growth of Counter Solutions since its move to a new facility. “There is nothing more exciting than being part of a fast-growing operation,” he shares. Balancing daily production with continual process improvements to boost efficiency and quality—and watching the team rise to those challenges together—has been a career highlight.
Outside of work, Brian’s greatest joy is his family. He’s a proud dad to two daughters—Gracie, a freshman at Northern Michigan University, and Lila, a seventh grader—both deeply involved in theater, choir, and dance. Brian’s favorite hobby is recording and editing their performances, helping preserve and share those moments with their troupes and families for years to come.
Evan Breuker Announced as New Outside Sales Rep for Northern Michigan
After gaining experience in various departments of Lumbermen’s, Evan Breuker has a new challenge in front of him as we welcome his customer-focused approach to the Door Division.
Ross Kornoelje – Production Supervision, LP Division
With nearly three decades of hands-on experience and a passion for both people and performance, Ross Kornoelje’s journey at Lumbermen’s reflects the dedication and culture that continue to drive the company forward.
Jack Symmes – Custom Door Builder, Door Division
Jack recently shared that he plans to retire in 2026. While it will be difficult to imagine the shop without his steady leadership, he has certainly earned the opportunity after a lifetime of hard work. The good news is that he plans to return part-time to keep his skills sharp—and will even be working alongside his wife, who is also part of the Door Division.
Jayme Stauffenecker – Outside Sales Representative
An addition to our Minnesota-based team less than a year ago, Jayme is already making her mark in the building materials industry.
Celebrating a Legacy: Henry Bouma Retires After 50 Years with Lumbermen’s Inc.
After an extraordinary 50-year career at Lumbermen’s Inc., Henry Bouma is stepping into retirement—leaving behind a legacy defined by dedication, adaptability, and unwavering customer focus.
Ryan Hagan – Sales Consultant, Door Division
Ryan Hagan has grown significantly since joining Lumbermen’s, starting in the Door Division Service Department, and now moving to an Outside Sales role. His experience with the inner workings of operations has prepared him to be a problem-solver in the field.
Brandon Kitkowski – Sales Consultant, Building Materials
Brandon Kitkowski has seen his business card change in 2025, going from Field Sales Representative to now Outside Sales Representative. However, his commitment to service and our customers is his defining characteristic.
Cristina Wasel – Quality Management Supervisor, Door Division
Cristina Wasel leads our Door Division’s commitment to quality and getting things right. Her engineering expertise helps build tools and systems that work to prevent and solve issues on the production floor.
Thai Xiong – Commercial Vehicle Driver
Thai Xiong is part of a new group of Employee Owners in Minnesota, joining the company in April of 2024.
Lumbermen’s Inc Grows Building Materials Division Leadership Team
Lumbermen’s is excited to announce leadership growth within our Building Materials Division. Significant growth in sales, workforce, and expansion into new territories like Minnesota in 2024 has led us to make some changes to our leadership structure.
Terry Lynn – Facilities Manager
Terry Lynn joined Lumbermen’s in September of 2007, as a member of the Grand Rapids Building Materials division.
Steve Hanker – Customer Service – Grand Rapids Building Materials
Steve Hanker has been with Lumbermen’s since 1996, when he joined the company as a Customer Service Representative.
Donna Ritsema & John Rutkowski
On December 7, 2023 Lumbermen’s celebrated the careers of Donna Ritsema (43 years) and John Rutkowski (31 years). Employee Owners, vendor partners, dealer customers, friends and family all gathered to congratulate these two on the positive impacts they have made for the company.
