As part of its continuing growth initiative, Fortress Building Products hired Tom Leahy as the company’s director of channel sales (1-step). In the role, Leahy will lead the sales organization for Fortress, working directly with the company’s 1-step wholesale distribution channel. Fortress said the move will help the manufacturer better serve customers and support product expansion, both inside and outside the fence category.
Leahy has previously spent time with Merchants Metals in various product, sales, and marketing management capacities. Most recently, Leahy served as the vice president and general manager of ARDCO, where he helped deploy and implement a new business model, according to Fortress Building Products.
“With Tom’s strategic experience at ARDCO and extensive background in the fence industry, he’s an important addition to the Channel Sales management team,” Jeff Schulz, vice president of channel sales at Fortress Building Products, said in a news release. “We’re excited for him to lead the 1-step team in key areas of growth, and are confident his leadership will help Fortress maintain focus on providing our internal and external customers with a true partnership experience.”
The hiring of Leahy is part of Fortress Building Products’ “Fortress 2020 Vision” plan. According to Fortress, the plan will guide the organizational transformation into a new structure engineered to better serve customers and support the expansion of multiple brands and product categories. As part of the vision plan, Fortress Building Products hired Dave Smithey to the newly formed position of vice president of operations and Toby Bostwick to the newly formed position of vice president of product and brand.
Texas-based Fortress Building Products is a building materials supplier for the residential, multifamily, and commercial industries. The Fortress family of brands includes Fortress Railing Products, Fortress Fence Products, OZCO Building Products, Fortress Deck, and Fortress Framing.
