When Emily Padecky joined Lumbermen’s in late 2020, the world looked very different than it does today. With the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing, she was ready for a career change and took a leap of faith into an industry she knew little about.
“I knew absolutely nothing about the building materials industry,” Emily recalls. “But through a mutual connection and a leap of faith, I found my place at a company that has come to feel like home.”
Nearly six years later, Emily has never looked back.
“What stands out most to me is the way Lumbermen’s truly cares about its people,” she says. “I’ve never worked for a company that genuinely lives out its Promise every single day. It’s incredible to be a part of.”
As Office Manager for Grand Rapids Building Materials, Emily’s role touches nearly every corner of the operation. She works closely with customer service, samples, returns and credits, administrative functions, and regularly collaborates with warehouse and transportation teams to keep business moving smoothly.
While every team strives for perfect execution, Emily takes pride in helping solve challenges when things don’t go as planned.
“When we do make mistakes, our ability to reconcile them quickly and thoroughly is remarkable,” she says. “It takes a tremendous amount of teamwork, and I’m proud to be part of a group that’s focused on finding solutions and taking care of our customers.”
Her role is built on communication, collaboration, and a commitment to making things right—qualities that help create positive experiences for customers every day, and that pride often extends beyond the workplace.
“My family members will text me photos when they spot one of our trucks on the highway,” Emily laughs. “Lumbermen’s orange really makes a statement.”
In the building materials industry, summer often brings a rapid increase in activity for customers, vendors, and employees alike.
“Every year it seems to happen overnight,” Emily says. “Everyone gets busy all at once, and the pressure can be intense. We try to make every interaction meaningful so customers walk away with a positive experience working with us, because even the smallest touchpoints matter.”
That customer-first mindset helps the team maintain strong relationships throughout the year, regardless of how busy things become.
When she’s not at Lumbermen’s, Emily stays busy with her husband and their two young children. Before family life took center stage, Emily participated in just about every social sports league imaginable—including an axe throwing league. These days, much of her free time is spent keeping her kids active and enjoying life outdoors.
As both her family and career continue to grow, Emily remains grateful for the opportunities she’s found at Lumbermen’s.
“I’ve grown to love the industry and everything that comes with it,” she says. “Being part of the growth, the teamwork, and the success of this company is what keeps me motivated every day.“
When Emily Padecky joined Lumbermen’s in late 2020, the world looked very different than it does today. With the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing, she was ready for a career change and took a leap of faith into an industry she knew little about.
“I knew absolutely nothing about the building materials industry,” Emily recalls. “But through a mutual connection and a leap of faith, I found my place at a company that has come to feel like home.”
Nearly six years later, Emily has never looked back.
“What stands out most to me is the way Lumbermen’s truly cares about its people,” she says. “I’ve never worked for a company that genuinely lives out its Promise every single day. It’s incredible to be a part of.”
As Office Manager for Grand Rapids Building Materials, Emily’s role touches nearly every corner of the operation. She works closely with customer service, samples, returns and credits, administrative functions, and regularly collaborates with warehouse and transportation teams to keep business moving smoothly.
While every team strives for perfect execution, Emily takes pride in helping solve challenges when things don’t go as planned.
“When we do make mistakes, our ability to reconcile them quickly and thoroughly is remarkable,” she says. “It takes a tremendous amount of teamwork, and I’m proud to be part of a group that’s focused on finding solutions and taking care of our customers.”
Her role is built on communication, collaboration, and a commitment to making things right—qualities that help create positive experiences for customers every day, and that pride often extends beyond the workplace.
“My family members will text me photos when they spot one of our trucks on the highway,” Emily laughs. “Lumbermen’s orange really makes a statement.”
In the building materials industry, summer often brings a rapid increase in activity for customers, vendors, and employees alike.
“Every year it seems to happen overnight,” Emily says. “Everyone gets busy all at once, and the pressure can be intense. We try to make every interaction meaningful so customers walk away with a positive experience working with us, because even the smallest touchpoints matter.”
That customer-first mindset helps the team maintain strong relationships throughout the year, regardless of how busy things become.
When she’s not at Lumbermen’s, Emily stays busy with her husband and their two young children. Before family life took center stage, Emily participated in just about every social sports league imaginable—including an axe throwing league. These days, much of her free time is spent keeping her kids active and enjoying life outdoors.
As both her family and career continue to grow, Emily remains grateful for the opportunities she’s found at Lumbermen’s.
“I’ve grown to love the industry and everything that comes with it,” she says. “Being part of the growth, the teamwork, and the success of this company is what keeps me motivated every day.“
Kris Langerak – Human Resources Manager
Today, as HR Manager, Kris plays a central role in supporting Lumbermen’s employee owners and their families. From leading new hire orientation to helping employees navigate benefits, she works to make what can often feel complex and overwhelming much more approachable.
Brian Wilcox – Stone Production Supervisor, Counter Solutions
As Stone Production Supervisor overseeing CNC operations and programming, Brian’s role is “joyfully dynamic.” His focus on precision helps deliver the high-quality edges and finishes that drive customer satisfaction and long-term loyalty.
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.
