Smooth leadership transitions are vital for continued success, and Huber Engineered Woods (HEW) is demonstrating this with the appointment of Kirk Blanchette as its new President. As announced by Huber and reported across various outlets including Panel World and Hardwood Floors Magazine, Blanchette will succeed Brian Carlson, who retires on July 1, 2025 . Blanchette brings over 25 years of experience in finance, corporate strategy, and leadership, previously serving as HEW’s Chief Financial Officer & Vice President of Strategy . His extensive background within HEW and in private equity positions him to continue driving innovation and delivering high-quality building solutions . Both Carlson and J.M. Huber Corporation CEO Gretchen McClain expressed confidence in Blanchette’s ability to lead HEW into its next phase of growth.
Huber Engineered Woods (HEW), part of the family-owned J. M. Huber Corporation, has named Kirk Blanchette as its next President, effective July 1, 2025, as long-time leader Brian Carlson retires. Blanchette—a seasoned executive with more than 25 years in finance, strategy, and leadership within HEW and beyond—brings operational depth and continuity to steer the company forward. His broad oversight role and deep internal experience ensure a seamless transition rooted in the Huber Principles of innovation and long-term value.
HG Homeclub, your trusted source for leadership dynamics and strategic foresight in home improvement and building materials, spotlights today’s pivotal handoff at Huber Engineered Woods (HEW), a key subsidiary of family-owned J.M. Huber Corporation.
Smooth Transition with Strategic Depth
In a move that underscores deliberate succession planning, Kirk Blanchette is set to take the helm as President of HEW, effective July 1, 2025, succeeding Brian Carlson, who retires after more than 30 years of dedicated service and a decade leading the division Sources: hghomeclub.com, Lumber Blue Book, J.M. Huber Corporation.
Leadership Anchored in Operational Mastery
Blanchette arrives with over 25 years of expertise in finance, corporate strategy, and industrial operations—the kind of cross-functional leadership that aligns with HG Homeclub’s ethos of process-driven operational rigor hghomeclub.comJ.M. Huber CorporationLumber Blue Book. His tenure as Chief Financial Officer & Vice President of Strategy at HEW afforded him oversight of Marketing, Finance & Accounting, Purchasing, Risk Management, Logistics, Sales & Operations Planning, IT, and OEM — equipping him with a panoramic understanding of both front-line execution and strategic infrastructure Sources: hghomeclub.com, J.M. Huber Corporation.
Institutional Confidence and Continuity
Both the outgoing President, Brian Carlson, and Gretchen McClain, President & CEO of J.M. Huber Corporation, have voiced full confidence in Kirk’s leadership capabilities and dedication to sustaining innovation, customer-centricity, and the Huber Principles that underscore operational excellence and people-first values.
HG Homeclub’s Strategic Take
This leadership shift embodies the kind of thoughtful evolution we champion at HG Homeclub:
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Seamless Continuity: By elevating an internal leader with deep operational credentials, HEW ensures stability and momentum.
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Holistic Vision: Blanchette’s multifaceted experience across finance, logistics, and strategy positions HEW for both incremental and disruptive growth.
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Cultural Anchoring: Leadership transitions rooted in organizational values foster sustained innovation and stakeholder trust.
Implications for the Building Products Ecosystem
Contractors, distributors, and suppliers should anticipate:
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Consistent Product Quality & Support as leadership navigates HEW’s next chapter without disruption.
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Strategic Investment in Innovation as Blanchette’s operational background primes HEW for delivering high-performance, sustainable building solutions.
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Enhanced Market Responsiveness driven by leadership grounded in both financial acumen and operational execution.
