Leadership evolution at LP Building Solutions: Jason Ringblom becomes the new CEO

 Thursday, November 6, 2025

LP Building Solutions (LP), a global powerhouse in high-performance engineered wood products, has announced a significant leadership transition. After leading the company since 2017, Chief Executive Officer Brad Southern will retire on February 19, 2026. This planned move culminates a comprehensive and rigorous CEO succession process managed by the Board of Directors in close partnership with Southern himself.

Southern’s eight-year tenure is marked by a profound strategic pivot that successfully redefined LP’s market position. Under his guidance, the manufacturer effectively transitioned from a commodity-focused producer to a global leader concentrated on specialty building products. This transformation yielded remarkable financial success, fundamentally strengthening the company’s foundation for long-term growth.

Dustan McCoy, LP Lead Independent Director, praised Southern’s impact on the firm: “Brad repositioned the company as a global leader in specialty building products, strengthened its financial performance, and built a culture grounded in safety, innovation, and accountability.”

Key metrics from the Southern era underscore the scale of this achievement for the building products sector:

• Shareholder Value: The company’s share price experienced a fivefold increase.
• Capital Returns: Over $4 billion was returned to shareholders through aggressive dividends and strategic share repurchases.
• Strategic Focus: Southern was the architect of a major strategic shift, heavily investing in the high-margin Siding segment (which includes products like LP® SmartSide® and LP® ExpertFinish®), while optimizing the more cyclical Oriented Strand Board (OSB) business.

Southern himself reflected on his time at the helm: “It has been the honor of my career to lead LP’s 4,300-member team. Together, we’ve strengthened the business and built a foundation for long-term growth. I’m deeply grateful to our team members and the Board for their partnership.

Jason Ringblom: The internal architect of strategic alignment

Taking the reins as the new Chief Executive Officer, also effective February 19, 2026, will be current LP President Jason Ringblom. The Board’s decision to select an internal candidate is a powerful affirmation of the company’s existing strategy and leadership pipeline.

Ringblom is a 21-year veteran of the Nashville-headquartered firm, having served eight years on the Executive Team. His extensive and varied expertise spans critical areas including sales, marketing, operations, and the core product lines. Critically, he played a central role in designing and implementing the very growth strategy that has driven LP’s recent success.

Before being appointed President, Ringblom served as Executive Vice President and General Manager, uniquely overseeing both the OSB and Siding businesses prior to their strategic integration. This experience highlights his deep, holistic understanding of the full business cycle—from commodity lumber to high-value specialty solutions.

“He helped design and execute the strategy driving our growth and led the successful integration of our Siding and OSB businesses,” noted McCoy. “His significant commercial and operational expertise will ensure a smooth transition and sustained progress.”

In his current role as President, Ringblom oversees all global manufacturing and commercial operations, effectively driving operational excellence and strategic alignment across the entire organization. This comprehensive oversight makes him exceptionally qualified to execute on LP’s core commitment to sustainable, innovative growth.

The mandate for the next chapter

In accepting the role, Ringblom acknowledged the legacy while setting a clear path forward for the building products industry: “It’s an incredible honor to become CEO in February and build on the strong foundation established under Brad’s leadership. I’m confident we’ll continue that progress—keeping safety at the forefront, driving innovation, and relentlessly pursuing improvement in everything we do.”

The future direction under Ringblom is expected to double down on the company’s existing strengths:

1. Innovation in Engineered Wood: Continuing investment in the LP® Structural Solutions portfolio (like radiant barrier sheathing and weather-resistant barriers) and the flagship LP® SmartSide® siding line to maintain a market leadership position in performance, durability, and aesthetics.
2. Operational Excellence: Leveraging his experience in both manufacturing and commercial operations to streamline the supply chain and enhance efficiency, a critical factor for manufacturers navigating the volatility of the housing and commodities markets.
3. Sustainable Growth: Continuing the commitment to purpose-driven business practices, including sustainable forestry management and community support, which have become increasingly important to builders, homeowners, and investors alike.

Ringblom, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Forest Products Marketing and Business Management, represents a new generation of industry leadership that combines deep forest product knowledge with modern, aggressive commercial strategy. His promotion signals to the industry that LP is not only built for the present but is strategically planning to capitalize on future trends in residential construction and repair and remodeling.

As one of the world’s premier manufacturers of high-performance building materials, LP Building Solutions is entering this leadership transition on solid footing, well-equipped to deliver sustained value to the construction industry and its investors.

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For more updates, visit woodandpanel.com

Tags: Construction Industry Leadership, Engineered Wood Solutions, OSB Business Strategy, shareholder value, Specialty Building Products