Winston-Salem, NC – Smith Phillips Building Supply Co., a leading locally owned retailer of premium lumber and building supplies, has announced the promotion of two key executives as part of its planned management succession for the future development of the 133-year-old company.

Christopher S. Yenrick has been promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer and David St. Clair has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. They will report to Mickey Boles, Chairman, CEO and majority owner. Boles, who purchased the company in 1978, will continue to serve the company in an advisory capacity.

“During the last several years we have focused on strategic succession planning and have assembled one of the finest leadership teams in the building supply industry,” said Boles. “This planned management succession will allow us to focus on executing the strategies that will further develop our business. Both Chris and David have earned the respect of our customers, our employees and the industry and are ready to take the company to the next level of growth. They have the experience, vision and ability to lead Smith Phillips through current economic challenges and toward a strong and sustainable future.”

Yenrick said that Boles has provided vision and leadership for 35 years, growing the company from 8 employees and $500,000 in sales to 43 employees and multi-millions in sales today. “We are happy that he will continue to be very active in the company and will be here to provide his wisdom and guidance,” said Yenrick.

St. Clair expressed appreciation for the experience that he has received at Smith Phillips and the expanded responsibilities that he is being given in the new position. “It has been a privilege to work with Mickey, the management team and employees for the past 25 years. We are a strong team that has been successful because of our dedicated employees, excellent customer and vendor relationships and innovation in all our operations,” he said.

About Christopher Yenrick

Yenrick joined the company in 1999 and was named Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager in 2009. Prior to joining the company he held a series of officer and command positions with increasing responsibility in medical supply logistics in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve. He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 2005. He received a B.S. degree in Small Business Management from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 1993.

Yenrick is very active in professional trade associations and the local community. He is Chair-elect of the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association and has held leadership positions with the Southern Building Material Association. In Winston-Salem he has served on the board of Partners for Homeownership, the Home Builders Association and has chaired several committees of the Construction Industry Council of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of Rotary International, Reynolda Rotary Club, and Den Leader of the Boy Scouts of America.

He and his wife Sallie have two children and attend Knollwood Baptist Church.

About David St. Clair

St. Clair began working at Smith Phillips part time during the summers as a material handler and driver and after graduating from High Point University in 1988 was hired to oversee yard operations. He was moved to an Inside Sales position after a year and in the 1990s was named a member of the accounting team. He was promoted to Comptroller and CFO in 2009. He holds B.S. and M.B.A degrees from High Point University.

St. Clair is a member of the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina, Inc., and former member of the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County. He currently is a member of the finance committee of Habitat for Humanity. He is a coach and volunteer for Winston-Salem Nationals Little League Baseball organization. He and his wife Christine have three children.

About Smith Phillips

Smith Phillips Building Supply, established in 1880, has carried on the tradition of being a leading, locally owned building supply center in the Triad for over 130 years. Mickey Boles, Chairman and CEO, purchased the company in 1978 through The Boles Corporation. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Smith Phillips Building Supply operates full service facilities in Winston-Salem and Statesville. It is a member of Lumbermens Merchandising Corporation (LMC) that provides the combined buying power of 1,200 independent lumberyards and home centers, assuring its customers competitive pricing and the best quality materials. LMC is a network of dealers who represent $13 billion in sales annually.

Smith Phillips has supported more than 50 local charitable organizations through its donations of time, talent and financial support. It supports such organizations as the Arts Council, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, area schools, colleges, universities and many other worthy recipients that help transform lives in the community. It is a leading supporter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society through its Tour to Tanglewood Smith Phillips Hammertime Team sponsorship, raising more than $60,000 in the past five years. The team is comprised of employees and suppliers who have a passion for finding a cure for MS.

Source: Smith Phillips