NLBMDA Announces New CEO
Originally Published by: HBS Dealer — November 9, 2026
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Changes are afoot at the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association.
In October, the NLBMDA elected Carin Brock of US LBM as chair. Today, the association named a new chief executive.
Jonathan Paine, who has served the NLBMDA as CEO for 15 years is stepping down, to be replaced by Jessica Bridges, a trade and professional association executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience.
“On behalf of the Board, I thank Jonathan for his service and commitment to NLBMDA and our members,” said Brock. “We look forward to welcoming Jessica as we finalize a strategic plan focused on the priorities of the lumber and building materials industry and NLBMDA’s long-term direction.”
The CEO succession will include a transition period through November in the interest of continuity.
Bridges brings more than 20 years of trade and professional association leadership experience in strategic planning, governance, federal advocacy, membership development, and financial management. She has served as Executive Director and CEO of the Western Dredging Association and Interim Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Education Foundation, supporting construction-trades education and apprenticeships. She is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management.
“I am honored to join NLBMDA and look forward to working with members, the Board, staff, and industry partners,” said Bridges. “Together, we will advance member priorities and strengthen the association’s value to the industry.”
For more than a decade, Paine has been a familiar figure both behind the scenes in Washington, D.C. and in front of industry audiences. He has played major roles at NLBMDA legislative conferences and the ProDealer Industry Summit, hosted jointly by the NLBMDA and HBSDealer.
“It has been a privilege to serve NLBMDA and its members,” said Paine. “I am grateful to our volunteer leaders, staff, and industry partners and wish Jessica and the association continued success.”