Boise Cascade, No. 8 on MDM’s Top Distributors List for Building Materials/Construction, announced that CEO Nate Jorgensen plans to retire effective March 2, 2026.

The company’s board of directors has unanimously appointed current COO Jeff Strom to succeed Jorgensen effective March 3. Jorgensen will continue to serve as a director on the company’s board after his retirement. The lumber and plywood producer and wholesale distributor does not plan to backfill the COO role after the transition.

“This is a planned transition and part of the company’s deliberate and long-term succession planning process to ensure stability and continued momentum in our strategy and operations,” Boise Cascade Board Chairman Tom Carlile said in a Dec. 4 news release. “On behalf of the entire board of directors, I extend our gratitude to Nate Jorgensen for his outstanding leadership. Nate has led with steadfast integrity and remarkable vision for the last six years, guiding the company through a global pandemic and tremendous growth. The positive impact of his leadership will extend far beyond his tenure as CEO.”

Carlile continued, “Our board is equally confident in Jeff Strom and his leadership and experience, which spans over 34 years in our industry. As COO, Jeff has successfully driven to further leverage our integrated model, and he has been instrumental in driving operational excellence and customer focus across the company. In addition to his strong leadership and experience, Jeff embodies our company’s core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect and the Pursuit of Excellence. The board is confident that Jeff will continue to build on our strong foundation and lead Boise Cascade into a bright future.”

Strom has been in the building materials industry for over 34 years. He joined Boise Cascade in 2006 and has served in several key roles and progressive leadership positions during his 19 years with the company. Prior to his current role as the COO, he was the executive vice president of the company’s building materials distribution (BMD) division. Prior to that, he was the VP and general manager for the BMD Eastern Region.

“I am honored and excited to serve as the next CEO of Boise Cascade,” said Strom. “Our company’s strength lies in our people and our shared commitment to excellence in everything we do. I’m excited to build on our momentum and continue to create value for our customers, suppliers, investors, associates, and the communities where we live and work.”