News Summary
Great Southern Wood has appointed Mark Callender as the new president and CEO, effective October 1. He succeeds founder Jimmy Rane, who will remain chairman of the board. Callender, with 34 years at the company, plans to continue the legacy of growth and excellence. Alongside this leadership change, Great Southern Wood will undergo a $13.7 million expansion in Alabama, generating new jobs and enhancing facility capabilities.
Alabama: Mark Callender Named New President and CEO of Great Southern Wood
Great Southern Wood has announced the appointment of Mark Callender as the new president and CEO, effective October 1, succeeding company founder Jimmy Rane. Rane, who has been a pivotal figure in the company’s growth and success, will remain involved as chairman of the board.
Callender has been with Great Southern Wood for 34 years, having joined the company in 1991. Over the years, he has held several key positions, including inside sales representative, sales manager, and general manager of the Bushnell, Florida location. In 2007, he transitioned to the role of chief operating officer (COO) and moved to the headquarters in Abbeville, Alabama. This extensive tenure has equipped him with a deep understanding of the company’s operations and a strategic vision for its future.
Rane has publicly commended Callender as being “uniquely qualified to lead the next phase of our strategic growth plan.” Callender has also expressed a strong commitment to continuing the legacy of excellence that Rane has built over the past 56 years.
Known for its YellaWood brand products, Great Southern Wood has established itself as one of the world’s largest manufacturers of pressure-treated lumber, which is utilized for various applications such as decks, fences, and landscaping. Under Rane’s leadership, the company has seen significant expansion and recognition, including Rane’s induction into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame two years ago.
In conjunction with this leadership transition, Great Southern Wood is undertaking a $13.7 million expansion project at its treatment facility located in Mobile County, Alabama. This initiative is expected to generate 12 new jobs, while also retaining 78 existing positions. The expansion aims to enhance facility traffic flow, storage, and processing capabilities for imports and exports via the Port of Mobile. The ground-breaking for this project is set for January 2023, with an anticipated completion date by the end of February 2024.
Rane has indicated optimism regarding the potential impacts of this expansion on both the company and the local community, framing it as a strategic investment in the growth of Great Southern Wood and the Mobile region.
As Callender prepares to take the helm, the company expects to build upon its strong foundation and continue its trajectory of growth in the coming years.
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