Building the Future: How Lumber Traders Thrived During the Pandemic

Danny Steiger is the CEO and President of Lumber Traders, Inc., parent company of twin lumber yard and home centers, Angeles Millwork & Lumber Co. and Hartnagel Building Supply, located in Port Angeles, WA.

His time in the building industry began in December of 2001, though his time working in retail goes back much further to his family's company business, Westlyn Feed, founded the same year he was born. After graduating highschool, and while attending college he started as a retail sales associate at Westside Building Supply, in Lynden, WA. Since that time he has taken on progressively advanced roles in the industry, from building material take-offs and estimating to cabinetry design and sales. From there he began taking on various management roles, beginning as Sales Manager at Walkers Carpet One in Bellingham. Several years later he began working at Buyer's Market where he helped launch a new cabinet division.

After meeting the love of his life, Danny moved to Port Angeles, WA, where he managed home remodel projects at Everwarm Hearth and Home, eventually moving on to Hartnagel Building Supply, starting in the position of Retail Sales Manager. Danny's experience in the industry was quickly recognized and in less than a year he was promoted to Store Manager of the Hartnagel's location. Less than two years later the company received notice that the current CEO of Hartnagel's parent company Lumber Traders, Inc. planned to move on, and at the urging of Hartnagel's and Angeles Millworks' management team the Board entertained the interviewing Danny for the interim CEO position, which they proceeded to offer to him. After 6 months and positive results the Board voted unanimously to remove the interim portion of the title, and Danny has served as CEO & President of Lumber Traders, Inc. since the fall of 2019.

Since that time Danny has led the company through some very challenging times, from a global pandemic, to the most tumultuous period of material pricing fluctuations the building industry has seen, to say nothing of workforce shortages, especially poignant in an industry that was already feeling the effects of a decreased employee force. Throughout this time - 2019 through 2022 - Lumber Traders, Inc. has grown their revenue 42%, gross profit by 58%, and net profit 76%. Lumber Traders is an ESOP - Employee Stock Ownership Plan - and under his tenure the company share price has increased 111%, resulting in more than $3.9 million dollars going into employee retirement accounts.

Business accomplishments aside, Danny is a lifelong learner, dedicated to constant self-improvement and growth. He cites mentorship as key to his success and strives to pay that forward to others growing in their careers. He also sees value in peer groups and industry round tables, constantly looking for areas to improve and also opportunities to help other leaders and businesses grow. He also works within the building industry, serving on several Boards, including the NPBA (North Peninsula Builders Association), the OWDC (Olympic Workforce Development Council), the WBMA (Western Building Materials Association), and most recently Habitat for Humanity Clallam County.

While his family is still largely located in Lynden, Danny has created deep friendships and has worked to become ever more involved with the local community on the Olympic Peninsula, where he resides with Brandy, massage therapist and singer of local rock band The OG, and his two step children, ages 11 and 13.