Keim Lumber selects Smucker as their new company president
With more than 25 years of experience from his own family’s business in Pennsylvania Amish Country, Jim Smucker joined Keim Lumber in June 2019 as the first nonfamily president.
Robbie Keim announced in February 2019 he would step aside after four and a half years as president in order to serve the company better from the role of shareholder.
After months of consideration by the president search team, the executive team, shareholder group and Keim family, they unanimously selected Jim Smucker as their next president to lead the business in the fourth generation.
“We believe Jim Smucker embodies the vision, mission and values of Keim Lumber,” said Eric Slabach, interim president at Keim Lumber. “He has a deep faith which guides his management practices, strong leadership experience, is a developed team-builder, strategic thinker and visionary. He has much experience working with Amish and Mennonite employees, customers and communities.”
Smucker joins the Keim Lumber team after working more than 25 years for his own family’s business, Bird-in-Hand Corporation, a tourism destination located in Pennsylvania Amish Country.
In that time he served 14 years as president and chief operating officer. More recently Smucker served as vice president for enrollment and student life at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Smucker and his wife, Anna, have three adult children: Jordon, married to Krista with son Lincoln; Rachel; and Kate. Smucker’s hobbies include reading and running ultra marathons. He holds an undergraduate degree in liberal arts and a master’s degree and Ph.D in management.
Smucker’s immediate goals are to get to know and listen to the perspectives of the Keim family, shareholders, company leadership, and the men and women throughout all company departments, as well as vendors and customers.