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

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

Amy has been with me since April 2007. She worked her way through the ranks, beginning as a receptionist and secretarial support to Vice President. She was devoted to Executive Wood Products, and to me, from the very first day. Not long ago she called me just to say she loves our company, our growth, and our vision. She is always smiling, always looking for a way to improve what we do, the kind of employee every manager seeks.

Amy is married with two children, one grandbaby, and a passion for her fingernail polish collection. She loves to train and has finished fourteen half marathons, two full marathons, and one ultra. In 2016 she took up golf, in 2019 she started drinking coffee, she is a formidable fantasy football opponent, has a platinum yahoo ranking, and has lived within 25 miles of our factory for her entire life.

If I have a question about pricing, inventory, shipping, open orders, sales volume, or a myriad of other technical administration questions, I call Amy. I invite you to do the same!

Kayla Gregory

Kayla’s journey in manufacturing began over two decades ago, when she began her career in customer service, gaining an understanding of how to exceed the customers' expectations. She quickly developed a passion for manufacturing and became entrenched in the processes and techniques. Her dedication and keen insights into the operational side quickly propelled her into leadership roles where she found her passion for people and dove into the world of Human Resources.  

With a bachelor's degree in public relations and experience at organizations both large and small, Kayla brings a unique blend of people skills and business acumen to Executive Wood Products.  

Kayla is the fourth generation to live on the family farm and enjoys days spent with her husband and two girls riding horses, checking on cattle and soaking in life’s precious moments.  

Katie Harmon

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.

Danielle Tabers

Danielle is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in sales and a decade-long career in healthcare. With a passion for connecting with others and building meaningful relationships, Danielle brings a unique blend of expertise to our team.  

 As a dedicated wife and mother of three wonderful children, Danielle understands the importance of balance of connection in both personal and professional spheres. Alongside her family, she shares her home with two adorable Aussie pups, adding a touch of joy and playfulness to her daily life.  

 In her pursuit of knowledge and enrichment, Danielle is an avid reader and a music enthusiast. She believes in the power of shared experiences and cherishes moments spent with family and friends. Always up for new adventures, Danielle embraces life with a spirit of curiosity and a commitment to growth.  

Penny Ryland

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

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.

Don Rodgers

Don and I have been friends since 1967 when he moved to Sullivan and began attending my church. Over the years I had the privilege of spending much time with him. On many occasions I would think or say I hoped to be as good of a human being as Don.

Don served our country in the military and did a tour in Korea when it was a war, but never called one. He has an incredibly bright mind, an engaging wit, and I cherish his counsel. He raised two successful children and now strongly advocates for his four grandchildren who are scattered around the globe from Hawaii to Japan.

Over the years Don sent a personal, handwritten card for every occasion from birthdays to just “thanks for dinner”. Because of the way he cares about people and his old school attention to connecting with people, we invited Don to join our company as Director of Customer Care. He takes the time to write a personal note to each and every one of our customers. He studies what you buy, asks questions to learn who you are, and then sits down at his desk to personally tell you, by his own hand and in his own words, how much we appreciate you and your business.

Don will not accept a salary for his work, he does it because he believes it to be the thing to do. In a time when many companies have lost sight of their customers and their customers’ true needs, Don is focused on connecting with our customers and personally delivering our message of thanks to all who choose Executive Wood Products.