Meet Our Team
“Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don’t interfere as long as the policy you’ve decided upon is being carried out.” Ronald Reagan
Paul D. Alexander
Founder & CEO
Hello, I’m Paul Alexander, Founder and CEO of Executive Wood Products. When I designed and built the first product in my basement in 1982, I had a vision. I imagined a factory filled with great people building amazing, innovative, high quality products. My dream came true. Our factory is state of the art, our Lean Manufacturing Cells are the envy of everyone who visits and our employees are all smiling. All of this because I found the right people for every job. It has taken 38 years to bring us to this place, but we have certainly arrived.
It is my ardent wish, that as you learn about who we are as a company’ and as individuals’ you will see how your business means everything to us. We take an old school approach to customer service, customer contact, and a fulfillment of true need. It is not enough that we build the best, safest products in the industry, we want you to be thrilled with what we send you. We want you to return for future products, recommend us to your friends, and fondly remember how much we care every time you use something we produced.
I am an engineer, inventor, father, sportsman, and best of all a dreamer. Thank you for visiting our website, thank you for your interest in our company and our American Made, high quality products. Please allow me to introduce our Leadership Team. I think, when you catch a glimpse of who they are and what they believe in, you will see why our manufacturing company is so special and so sought after by our discerning customers.
Jan Knight
President Emeritus & CFO
Jan worked for me part time through 1999 and came to work full time in January of 2000. She insisted we have state-of-the-art accounting software and the hardware to support it. The year was 2000, our high-tech financial reports printer was dot matrix. It was the size of a small car and sounded like a jet when she printed reports, which was all the time.
Together she and I tackled every problem from Accounting and Production to Human Resources. At the same time, she was raising her two girls who used to sneak past my office after school to visit their mother without me knowing. I did not mind and I always knew when they were there. They are both grown now and have had the privilege of watching their strong, resilient mother attack every business problem possible and still be home for dinner with her family.
In the fall of 2005 Jan accepted the position of President and CFO. I spent much time on the road with our customers and Jan stepped up to ensure that our company stayed on a path of growth, quality, and personal service.
Now Semi-retired, Jan plays golf, spends time with her friends, and is still devoted to the continuous well-being of her girls (including a new granddaughter in 2020). Our equipment is better now, quieter, but Jan’s devotion to our company and to me are unchanged and unmatched. She is my friend, my advocate, and someone our customers can count on to ensure they always receive personal treatment. In an age when most companies want only to do business with you electronically Jan wants you to feel our presence and know we truly care.
Amy Lucas
Senior Vice President
Katie Harmon
VP Director of Business Development
Katie came to us with close to 20 years of customer service experience and a decade of management and leadership skills. With exposure to many layers and dynamics of complex business structures and processes, Katie is equally as passionate about efficient and intentional business practices as she is about taking really good care of people.
Katie is a lover of music, movies, art, and literature. She enjoys her time with friends and family, summer days in the water, and carefully curating and redecorating her home. She has never met a dog, cat, goat, or goose that she didn’t like; and gives thanks to God for this life and its many blessings.
Penny Ryland
Creative Director
Penny joins us with degree in graphic design and almost twenty years of experience as a designer and a production artist. Executive Wood Products manufactures beautiful goods, and making the quality and excellence of the products come through in 2-D is a challenging task. Penny’s skills to photograph and demonstrate the sumptuousness and sturdiness of the products assist the customer in understanding why we are the leader in the lectern, podium, anti-ballistic furnishings, and pulpit space. She has created award-winning designs, and we are excited to have her on the team.
In her spare time Penny channels her creativity through exercise, riding her bike to work, and planning her upcoming wedding. She is a mother and a strong believer in the power of prayer.
Mike Hoven
VP of manufacturing & Plant Manager
Mike is a Master Craftsman with over thirty years of industry experience. Mike’s exceptional craftsmanship establishes a benchmark for excellence in the field. Serving as a proactive leader, Mike drives the company’s research and development projects, consistently pushing the boundaries of innovation and quality. His inventive methods enable him to transform ideas into products, often predicting customer needs ahead of time to ensure each product surpasses expectations. His meticulous focus on detail and steadfast dedication to quality shine through in every creation, guaranteeing the production of premium goods and motivating his team to strive for unparalleled craftsmanship.
Outside of work, Mike is a passionate outdoorsman who indulges in hunting, fishing, and boating on the Meramec River, usually in the company of his wife and their furry companions.
Meet Our Partners
We collaborate with a diverse network of partners in various sectors, including public safety experts, home builders, and other industry professionals. Together, we ensure the highest quality of products and service.
Mark Kurkowski
Director of Training & Assessment - Protection Assurance Division
Mark Kurkowski is a seasoned law enforcement professional with over three decades of experience in policing and consulting, specializing in intimate partner violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault. Retiring after 27 years of dedicated service with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Mr. Kurkowski played integral roles in several specialized units, including the Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART Unit), the Grants to Encourage Arrest Program, and the St. Louis Regional Domestic Violence Prevention Team. Additionally, he served as a supervisor, as part of the Technical Operations Group, on the Greater St. Louis Major Case Squad.
Currently, Mr. Kurkowski is the Owner of Kurkowski Consulting and Training, LLC, where he utilizes his wealth of knowledge and experience to provide awareness and prevention workshops on domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and workplace violence. In his role as Director of Training and Assessment under the Protection Assurance Division at Executive Wood Products, Mr. Kurkowski collaborates with the company to enhance courthouse, school, and workplace safety by integrating bullet-resistant products designed to prevent injury in active shooter incidents.
Mr. Kurkowski is recognized nationally and internationally as a subject matter expert. He serves as an instructor with the National Sheriffs Association and acts as an independent consultant to organizations such as the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center through Aequitas and previously with the Stalking Resource Center through the National Center for Victims of Crime. Mr. Kurkowski has contributed to the development of a cyberstalking curriculum for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and is a consultant for the US Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime-Training and Technical Assistance Center,
Mr. Kurkowski’s expertise extends to the realm of media, where he has been featured as a consultant in the 2022 Netflix Documentary, “I Am a Stalker,” specifically in the episode “Extreme Best Friends.” His multifaceted contributions to law enforcement, training, and consulting make him a respected figure in the field, dedicated to improving safety and awareness on a national and international scale.
Mark Kurkowski has dedicated his life to all aspects of societal security.
Steve Sulze
Owner & Head Instructor Xtreme Tactical Defense St. Louis, MO
Steve Sulze brings extensive expertise in security assessments, self-defense training, and active shooter preparedness. Born and raised in St. Louis, Steve is the owner and head instructor of Xtreme Krav Maga & Fitness St. Louis in Fenton, MO. Since 2004, he has been teaching Krav Maga Defensive Tactics to civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel across the Midwest.
An avid shooter, Steve travels annually to Los Angeles to train with special operations teams and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for a 40-hour Law Enforcement Recertification. As the only certified Law Enforcement Force Training Instructor in Missouri, he is dedicated to bridging training gaps with innovative Xtreme Tactical Defense shooting courses.
Steve’s impressive credentials include:
- Owner of Xtreme Tactical Defense
- Owner of Xtreme Krav Maga – Fenton & Dorsett
- Integrated Defense Strategies Black Belt Certified Instructor
- Krav Maga Worldwide – 2nd Dan Black Belt Certified Instructor
- Blue Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under J.W. Wright – Gracie Humaita
- Competitive 2 Gun & USPA Shooter
- Missouri and Illinois Certified CCW Instructor
- Strategos International Tactical Firearms Certified Instructor
- Krav Maga Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Certified Instructor
- P.O.S.T. Certified Law Enforcement Instructor
- USCCA Certified Instructor: Pistol, Rifle, CCW Home Defense
- NRA Basic Pistol Certified Instructor
- NRA Personal Protection In The Home Certified Instructor
- NRA Personal Protection Outside The Home Certified Instructor
- Alpha Krav Maga International Certified Instructor
Steve’s commitment to safety and training excellence makes him a vital partner in our mission to provide top-tier security solutions.
Anna Redmond
Founder of Braav - Private Security Services
Braav is a technology-driven private security company with over 50 years of experience in the private and government security sectors. They offer advanced guard management technology, real-time location monitoring, shift reporting, and comprehensive security services with a focus on transforming security into a high-quality, transparent, and luxurious experience for their clients.
“As the founder of Braav, I am on a mission to transform the private security industry with technology.
We’ve launched the first tech-centric Chief Security Officer Solution – perfect for any business that wants to up-level their safety and security practices through elite security talent. Our CSO network includes Chiefs of Police, Special Agents in Charge, Directors of Public Safety — all of whom are ready and available to parachute in and help you implement small safety changes that yield out-sized results.
We supplement this with a guard management platform that delivers transparency and visibility for companies that hire security. For guards, we provide clear success metrics and enable them to schedule security work that fits their life.
I have over 15 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and angel investing, with a focus on seed-stage startups and human-centric innovation. I co-founded Hippo Reads, a platform where public intellectuals and the brightest minds can share their thoughts and insights. I also wrote about our journey founding Hippo for Fast Company. I have an AB/AM in Economics and IT Policy, and History of Science from Harvard, and I speak English, Russian, and French. I am passionate about creating positive social impact through entrepreneurship and technology.”
Dave Weiner
Founder & CEO - Secure Measures LLC
Dave began his law enforcement career in 1993 as a military policeman in the United States Air Force. Throughout his 27-year career, he has served in various roles, including patrol officer, K-9 handler, Special Response Team member, Training Coordinator, and in supervisory positions over both Patrol and Investigations.
Dave’s experience extends to senior leadership roles in law enforcement and corporate security, such as Director of Security and Assistant Chief of Police. In 2014, he became the Regional Chief of Police for the US Department of Veteran Affairs Police in Long Beach, CA, where he collaborated with agencies like LASD MET, LAPD MEU, and Long Beach Police Department MET on crisis intervention and suicide prevention for veterans.
He implemented the Veteran Mental Evaluation Unit (VMET) and a Threat Management Unit to enhance safety in healthcare settings for veterans. The VMET program has been adopted as a pilot program at major Veteran Affairs medical centers nationwide.
Dave holds a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, is certified in Veteran Behavioral Health, and is a Qualified Workplace Violence and Threat Specialist. He has served on numerous boards and committees, including:
- US Veteran Affairs – Veteran Centered Oversight & Engagement Board
- International Public Safety Association – Mental Health Board
- Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Advisory Committee – Veterans
- City of Los Angeles Mayors Challenge Committee to Prevent Veteran/Military Suicide
- Argus Service Dog Foundation
As a speaker, Dave has presented on various topics, including Veteran Cultural Competencies, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Workplace Violence Prevention, Threat Assessment, Emergency Preparedness, Leadership Development, Interpersonal Communication, Crime Prevention, and Active Shooter Response.
After his law enforcement career, Dave founded Secure Measures, LLC, a Veteran-Owned Global Management Consulting firm based in Southern California. His dedication to serving both military and civilian communities remains unwavering.