Gator Millworks Names Lacey Meier VP & CEO Awarded 40 Under 40

Gator Millworks is pleased to announce the promotion of Lacey Meier from Project Estimator to Vice President of Pre-Construction.

In this new role, Lacey will be tasked with coordinating and overseeing all estimating and pre-construction efforts for Gator Millworks.

“I am so appreciative for this opportunity to help reshape and drive this company forward. I plan to help structure and implement organization in the pre-construction department in order to provide our clients, whether it be contractors, architects, designers or owners, with clean, organized, accurate and comprehensive proposals. Pre-construction is the first step in all processes of the company and I could not be more honored  to be given the responsibility of leading this department,” says Meier.

Meier has been with Gator Millworks for five and a half years, and during that time she has been involved with projects such as New Orleans East Hospital, Patrick F. Taylor Hall and the IBM mixed-use building in downtown Baton Rouge.

Chad Foster, CEO and President of Gator Millworks says, “After I met with Lacey for her first interview, I knew she was a great fit for our company. Her experience and dedicated service to Gator Millworks over the last five and a half years makes her a great selection for this position. Lacey is truly a one of kind staff member and I’m happy to have her here and look forward to what the future will bring.”

With Meier in this position, Gator Millworks will be able to better assist clients with value engineering, filling in the design gaps for budgeting and helping the visions of designers come to fruition within budget and anticipated timelines.

Meier is certainly making her mark in a male dominated industry. Meier says, “Although the industry has evolved a great deal since I first entered the workforce, and day to day it rarely ever crosses my mind, when I step back and look at the whole picture I’m incredibly proud of the work I’m able to do with Gator Millworks.”

Meier graduated from Louisiana State University in the School of Architecture. She lives in Denham Springs with her husband and daughter.

See this story on the Gator Millworks website.

Chad Foster Named to the Wood Industry 40 Under 40

Chad Foster, CEO and president of Gator Millworks, has been named to the Class of 2018 Woodwork Industry 40 Under 40.

The program honors individuals in the next generation of leaders who are making an impact on wood products manufacturing in North America.  For 2018, 41 individuals were selected from over 130 nominations.

The Class of 2018, sponsored by the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America (WMMA), was recognized August 21, at the International Woodworking Fair Leadership Reception held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

“I am honored to receive this recognition on behalf of all of us at Gator Millworks. It is great to see the recognition of this industry being brought to our market.” said Foster.

Nominator Brandon Altazan of Advantek Machinery said,  “I nominated Chad for the 40U40 because I don’t think I’ve ever met a person in this industry that has as much passion as Chad. He is always looking for ways to improve. Like many others, he invests in equipment and resources in order to stay competitive. But where others are unwilling to invest in employee training for fear of losing them to competition, Chad believes the knowledge gained is crucial to run efficiently and keep production high. He’s transformed Gator Millworks from a run of the mill cabinet shop to a premier millwork shop in the South.”

Chad understands the power of high standards and efficient processes. “This award comes comes from doing things right. We strive every day to listen to our customers and take pride in providing them with an exceptional final product,” said Foster.

“He has also invested time, money and resources in his community to educate the local potential future of the woodworking industry,” said Altazan.

Described as devoted, business minded, hardworking and compassionate, “Chad’s concern with the well-being of his employees and understanding that life can take unexpected turns was fully on display after the devastating floods that hit Louisiana in 2016. With over 6 feet of water throughout the Gator Millworks buildings, he realized it wasn’t just production that was going to take a hit; it was employees, family members and friends throughout the area who had also lost everything,” said Altazan.

Chad Foster is 38 years old and lives in Denham Springs, La with his wife Kelly Foster and their two children Alayna and Mia Foster.

See this story on the Gator Millworks website.