ENAP Inc.'s board of directors has made permanent Stephen Sallah's job president and chief executive officer of the New Windsor, N.Y.-based co-op, ENAP announced today.

Sallah, ENAP's chief financial officer since 2008, became acting CEO in January following the retirement of Russ Kennedy. Before joining ENAP, Sallah spent 16 years at IBM and served nine years in the U.S. Navy.

"The board believes the industry continues to face significant challenges and Steve will provide the leadershipnecessary to innovate and grow the 44-year-old cooperative," ENAP's announcement said. It quoted board chairman David Sutherland as declaring that Sallah "has a solid understanding of the cooperative business model and the strategic vision to take advantage of opportunities that will add value to the members and keep ENAP as a premier cooperative in the lumber and building materials industry."