Ann Chapman joined Woodson Lumber in 1994 as a third-generation family member while her father was acting CEO. She entered the business with no prior experience in the lumber and hardware industry and by 1998, following a series of significant life transitions, she stepped into the role of CEO, learning and leading the company through a period of change and growth.

Under Ann’s leadership, Woodson Lumber is navigating generational succession, governance development, and organizational transformation. Between 2010 and 2012, prior to the Woodson 100th Anniversary, all three of her children joined the business after completing their college education, marking the beginning of the company’s fourth generation of family involvement.

Ann brings practical methods to guide intergenerational business transitions. Her experience includes initiating and facilitating structured family meetings, educating next-generation stockholders on ownership responsibilities, corporate governance, and establishing an advisory team to support long-term planning. She has played a key role in fostering strong intergenerational relationships and designing systems for collaborative leadership.
As the current majority stockholder - having transitioned 45% of ownership to Gen4 - Ann continues to support the company’s evolution by forming an Executive Leadership Team composed of family stockholders and key non-family employees, selected for their complementary strengths.

Today, Ann remains engaged in strategic planning and oversight, professionalizing their board of directors, developing leaders, and preparations for a company rebrand. Her personal insights into what has worked and what has needed refining in her company create the basis for lively conversations on matters pertaining to continuity, succession planning, and sustainable family business leadership.