A fresh face in our industry, Jayme is already making an impact as part of the Lumbermen’s team in Minnesota. She shared her thoughts on the rewards of working in Building Materials and how her mentors have helped guide her career thus far.
In less than a year since joining Lumbermen’s in 2024 as an Outside Sales Representative based in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, Jayme Stauffenecker has already made a mark. This year, she was honored as one of the Rising Stars in the 2025 class of Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply by HBS Magazine—an award that recognizes talented professionals with the potential to make a lasting positive difference in their companies and in the industry for years to come.
For Jayme, the appeal of the building materials industry runs deeper than the products she represents. “What I enjoy most is the sense of partnership,” she explains. “You’re not just selling a product, you’re solving problems, supporting businesses, and playing a part in projects that quite literally shape communities. That impact is incredibly rewarding. And while there’s a lot to learn, the willingness of people in this industry to share their knowledge and help you succeed has been one of the best surprises of all.”
Jayme credits much of her early growth to the leadership within the Lumbermen’s Building Materials team. “They remind me that it’s okay to not have all the answers, that mistakes are part of the process, and that progress—however messy or imperfect—is still progress,” she says. “On the hard days, I remind myself: ‘Jayme, it’s going to be okay. We’ll figure it out and there is a team behind you.’ Because we’re all learning as we go. Those are the kinds of managers and mentors you want to surround yourself with—the ones who steady the plane while encouraging you to fly higher, even when you’re unsure. They help you build confidence, celebrate your growth, and challenge you to chase goals you didn’t even know you had.”
Whether it is collaborating with her internal team or providing service to her customers, for Jayme it all comes down to relationships. “At first glance, you might assume building materials is all about product specs, pricing, and logistics—but at its core, it’s about people. Every day, I get to work alongside customers who take pride in their craft, vendors who are passionate about what they offer, and coworkers who are willing to jump in and help whenever needed.”
From her dedication to building strong partnerships to her openness to growth and learning, Jayme embodies the qualities that make a true rising star—someone who is not only shaping her career, but also contributing to the future of the building materials industry.
Jack Sims – 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.
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.