Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Steves & Sons Inc., a sixth-generation, family-owned door manufacturing leader based in San Antonio, Texas, has announced the appointment of Jason Jennings as its new Chief Financial Officer. The change follows the retirement of Stephen Tonra, who dedicated nearly three decades of service to the company. The selection of Jennings signals a forward-looking strategy, leveraging his extensive financial and international experience to navigate the complexities of a dynamic global market and reinforce the company’s position as a powerhouse in the wood products industry.
Since its founding in 1866, Steves & Sons has built a reputation for its commitment to quality craftsmanship and enduring family values. As one of the top manufacturers on the prestigious FDMC 300 list, the company has consistently demonstrated a capacity for both conservative growth and innovation. The appointment of Jennings, with his distinct background, is a clear indication that the company is poised to build upon this legacy by strengthening its financial and operational foundations.
Jason Jennings brings more than two decades of high-level financial leadership to his new role. His career, primarily with the multinational energy giant BP, has provided him with a unique blend of experience managing multi-billion-dollar budgets and leading complex financial operations across different continents, including senior accounting positions in the United States, Brazil, and Uruguay. This international exposure is particularly valuable for a company like Steves & Sons, which is continually seeking to optimize its global supply chain and fortify partnerships in key markets.
Sam Steves III, known as “Tres,” the CEO of Steves & Sons, expressed his confidence in Jennings’s ability to steward the company’s financial future while upholding its core principles. “Jason’s expertise in financial management, strategic business support, and process improvement will strengthen our ability to grow in key markets, while staying true to the values we have upheld since 1866,” said Steves. “We are confident he will be an excellent steward of both our finances and our family-driven culture.”
Jennings is a certified public accountant and a graduate of Boise State University. His professional achievements at BP include the successful implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems that automated processes across various business functions. He also played a key role in streamlining financial close processes, which significantly improved the timeliness and accuracy of data for critical decision-making. These skills in process optimization and technological integration are highly relevant to the modern woodworking industry, where efficiency and automation are paramount to success.
The appointment of Jennings comes on the heels of the retirement of Stephen Tonra, a beloved figure who served as CFO for nearly three decades. His tenure was marked by unwavering commitment to the company’s family, its employees, and the broader industry. “Stephen’s commitment to our family, our team members, and the broader industry has been extraordinary,” Steves reflected. “We are grateful for his decades of service and leadership.” This respectful transition highlights the company’s deep-seated culture of loyalty and continuity, a hallmark of its six-generation history.
As the new CFO, Jennings’s international experience, particularly in Brazil and Uruguay, will be a significant asset in a globalized economy. The ability to navigate different economic and regulatory environments will be crucial for securing new partnerships and strengthening existing ones, ensuring a resilient and adaptable supply chain. This strategic move aims to not only sustain the company’s current position but also to fuel its expansion into new territories and markets.
Jennings and his family will be making the move to San Antonio, a city where the company’s roots run deep. The transition for his family, including a high school senior with an interest in cybersecurity, underscores the personal dimension of this corporate leadership change. For Steves & Sons, this is not just about a new hire; it’s about integrating a new leader into a culture that has been built and passed down through generations.
The door manufacturing sector and the broader woodworking industry are constantly evolving. As consumer demands shift and technological advancements accelerate, companies must be agile and strategically sound. By bringing in a seasoned financial executive with a track record of implementing scalable systems and fostering international relationships, Steves & Sons is sending a clear message: it is prepared to face the future head-on. The company’s ranking as the 21st largest wood products manufacturer in North America is a testament to its past success, and with this new leadership, it is well-positioned to continue its trajectory of growth and influence for generations to come.
Read more news on: appointments and operations
For more updates, visit woodandpanel.com
Tags: CFO appointment, door manufacturer, family-owned business, financial leadership, Steves & Sons
