Team Hancock recently celebrated the incredible 32-year career of Dave Benedix, who first joined the company in May of 1994. Joining Dave at his retirement celebration were fellow Kennebunk teammates, employees from around the company, and representatives from one of his top accounts—Great Falls Construction. Plus, Dave received a special message from Executive Chairman, Kevin Hancock.
Dave first joined Hancock Lumber in a General Manager training position, where he eventually became the General Manager of Southern Operations in September of 1994. During his tenure, Dave has held various leadership roles across the company. Dave landed at his most recent position of Inside Sales Support at our Kennebunk location in 2015 and remained there for the last 11 years.
Kennebunk General Manager Terrie McDaniel shared this heartfelt message about Dave:
“After 32 years with Hancock Lumber, we celebrate the retirement of someone whose influence has shaped not just the company, but especially the Kennebunk location. Dave Benedix has been a steady hand, a problem‑solver, and a leader who stepped up wherever he was needed—whether filling in as Outside Sales Manager, guiding teams as General Manager, or lending his expertise in Commercial Estimating and projects. Dave’s career is a testament to his dedication and versatility.
He never hesitated to take on new challenges, support his coworkers, or help keep things moving forward during times of transition. His calm presence, deep industry knowledge, and willingness to pitch in have made a lasting impact on everyone who’s had the privilege of working with him.
As Dave begins this next chapter, we hope he enjoys the well‑earned time to relax, recharge, and pursue whatever brings him joy. His contributions and knowledge shared with all will be remembered, and his legacy will continue to shape Hancock Lumber for years to come.
Thank you, Dave, for 32 years of commitment, leadership, and heart. Wishing you all the best in your retirement.”
—Terrie McDaniel, Kennebunk General Manager
Hancock Lumber’s Executive Chairman and sixth generation owner, Kevin Hancock, also crafted a heartfelt message that Dave received during the retirement celebration event. Read the full message about what Dave’s commitment and service with the company has meant to him:
I have the impossible task of thanking you. How do I say thank you in a way that equals the incredible contribution you have made to this company through your many years of exceptional service? It’s not possible—that’s my conclusion. What you have given to Hancock Lumber across the years and many roles is bigger than anything I can say in response. But, let me do the best I can…
You are one of the most important people in the modern history of our company. Because of your incredible and consistent humility, most people at Hancock Lumber today will never know the full depth of your contribution. And that’s the first thing that makes you amazing, your humility. The second thing that makes you unique is your willingness to be of service. You’ve been of service to your family, your community, your company, your coworkers— and, in a legendary way, to your customers. Serving is what you do. And you do it with such grace, consistency, pride, dependability, and attention to detail. Specifically, when it comes to customer care, you set a bar that few can match. Across decades, when I had a customer that personally needed to make sure he was cared for, I would call you. It didn’t matter to me what store you were at or where the customer was located. When I needed to know the customer was taken care of, my first act was to find you and hand that customer over to you.
That brings me to the third thing that makes you so special, your consistency. I have never experienced anything but your best, ever. No matter what else was going on in your world or life, you were one of the most consistent people I’ve ever worked with. You were a model to what success looks like in this regard.
The fourth thing that I will never forget about you is your loyalty. If Dave Benedix comes to work for your company, you are getting his full effort and loyalty all the time. Again, in this regard, you are unmatched. If I needed help, I would ask for help. I would ask you for help, and you would help. Always. And I am sure others experience the same.
Finally, your sense of personal pride is an inspiration to all who know you. Pride in work, pride in quality, pride in winning. And then to watch you take on your health challenges across so many years with dignity, determination, and more pride is beyond words. In short, I don’t know a better human than Dave Benedix, and I don’t know a better Hancock Lumber employee than Dave Benedix. I’m honestly crying a little bit as I type this. Again, how do you say thank you for a career of service at the level you have offered up?
I want to sing your praises from the rooftop because you never sang your own or asked others to sing it for you. Very few will know all the roles you played in this company. From Executive to General Manager to Team Leader to Direct Seller, you have done it all. When the company asked, you said yes. Few will know you were one of the last employees standing who was hired in part by my dad, Dave. Few will know the incredible leadership roles you have played for the legendary Harold Cohen of Somerville Lumber. Few will know you are one of the greatest legends of your generations in the lumber business in all of New England. But what I am writing to tell you is, I know. Dave.
—Kevin Hancock, Executive Chairman
On behalf of Team Hancock, thank you for 32 years of incredible service to the company and the builders that you served, Dave. We wish you the best in your retirement and hope your days are filled with friends, family, and doing the things you love!