LP’s Brad Southern named 2024 North American CEO of the Year by Fastmarkets

For the Tomahawk Leader

NASHVILLE, TENN. – LP Building Solutions (LP) this week announced that its Chair and CEO, Brad Southern, has been named the 2024 North American CEO of the Year by Fastmarkets.

A release from LP said this marks the second time in five years that Southern has received this recognition, which Fastmarkets noted is a “rare achievement.”

LP, a leader in high-performance building solutions that manufactures engineered wood products for builders, remodelers and homeowners around the world, has a plant in Tomahawk. Founded in 1972, LP is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., and operates 22 plants across the U.S., Canada, Chile and Brazil.

LP said Fastmarkets is the leading price reporting, analytics and events organization for global commodities markets, including the forest products sector.

“Businesses working in the pulp and paper, packaging, wood products, timber, biomass, tissue and nonwovens markets use Fastmarkets data and insights to benchmark prices, settle contracts and inform their strategies worldwide,” LP stated. “Along with objective price reporting and industry data, Fastmarkets provides forecasts, analysis, conferences and consulting services to stakeholders throughout the forest products supply chain.”

Southern was selected by analysts who cover the North American and global pulp and paper industry.

LP said Southern was “noted for his focus, determination and success in transforming LP from a commodity to a specialty producer.”

“Analysts commend Southern for his effective leadership, with one describing him as a CEO who ‘gets the job done,’ another calling him a ‘reliable leader who operates with little fanfare,’ and a third highlighting his strategic growth in LP’s Siding segment, noting that he has significantly reduced the company’s risk profile,” LP stated.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by Fastmarkets and the analyst community for our well-executed strategy,” Southern said. “LP’s success is a testament to our team members’ commitment to delivering high-quality products and building long-term value for our shareholders.”

Southern has served as LP's CEO since 2017 and Chairperson of the Board since 2020. He joined LP in 1999 and has held various leadership roles, including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President and General Manager of OSB, Senior Vice President of Siding and Vice President of Specialty Operations.

Southern is also a board member of the National Association of Manufacturers, the Forest Products Association of Canada and the Nashville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

LP said Fastmarkets noted that Southern is a “rare example of a forester leading a major U.S. forest products company.”

“It’s notable – despite its name, the forest products industry in the U.S. is seldom led by foresters,” Fastmarkets said. “Southern is a successful exception.”

Southern holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Forest Resources from the University of Georgia and began his career with MacMillan Bloedel as a forester.

Southern will be honored at the 36th annual Fastmarkets North American Forest Products Conference on Oct. 29 in Chicago.