We are very excited to announce that Team Hancock veteran Matt Duprey has earned a well-deserved promotion to Chief White Pine Officer effective immediately. This new role reflects both his remarkable career journey and his continued impact on our Eastern White Pine business and the industry at large.
A part of Team Hancock since 1994, Matt joined the sawmills after earning his Forestry and Wood Science + Technology degree. For more than 32 years, he has grown alongside the business, taking on a wide variety of roles and responsibilities while helping shape the success of Hancock’s white pine operations.
From supervising kiln, boiler, and yard operations early in his career, to leading production, distribution, scheduling, sales, marketing, and revenue growth, Matt has built an unmatched understanding of the business from the ground up. His willingness to learn every aspect of the operation, combined with a relentless focus on customers, teammates, and continuous improvement, has made him an invaluable leader.
Throughout his career, Matt earned several promotions including becoming Assistant Vice President in 1996, General Manager of Sawmill Production & Distribution in 1997, General Manager of Marketing Sales in 2001, Sales Manager in 2005, and eventually serving as Chief Sales Officer for our sawmill business.
“Matt Duprey is one of the finest people and leaders I’ve ever known or worked with,” commented Board Chair, Kevin Hancock. “He bleeds red because that’s the color of blood AND the color of Hancock Lumber. Matt is also a generational giant in the eastern white pine industry broadly. The entire North American lumber community knows and respects Matt. Hancock Lumber’s leading position in the world of pine is in large part a reflection of Matt’s skill, care, and effort. Finally, I trust Matt implicitly. His business judgement, competitive spirit, and core values are a direct match for the things Hancock Lumber cares about most.”
Chief Executive Officer, Paul Wainman, shared his thoughts about Matt’s elevated position, “In his new role as Chief White Pine Officer, Matt will lead the strategic direction and operational excellence of our white pine business, further strengthening Hancock Lumber’s leadership and commitment to Eastern White Pine.
Throughout his career, Matt has consistently demonstrated a deep passion for white pine and for Hancock Lumber’s white pine business specifically. His expertise, dedication, and industry knowledge are truly exceptional and difficult to replicate. Matt is a highly competitive leader who invests in developing his team for long-term success. More importantly, he is an outstanding person who always puts people first. His integrity, humility, and commitment to others have earned the respect of colleagues across our company and throughout the industry, and I am proud to call him a colleague and friend.”
In his elevated role as Chief White Pine Officer, Matt will have full responsibility for the strategic direction and operational excellence of Hancock Lumber’s Eastern White Pine business. He will provide leadership across our Bethel, Casco, and Pittsfield operations, overseeing sales, manufacturing, customer programs, and market performance while helping position Hancock for continued growth and success in the years ahead.
Matt’s extensive industry knowledge, collaborative leadership style, and unwavering commitment to both customers and employees have made a lasting impact on our organization and beyond. His promotion reflects not only his professional accomplishments but also the trust and respect he has earned throughout his career.
Matt’s impact beyond Hancock Lumber is equally noteworthy. He is widely recognized as one of the leading voices in the Eastern White Pine industry through his service in the NeLMA organization including marketing committee chair for several years and most recently NELMA’s board chair. Throughout his career, he has served as a tireless advocate for eastern white pine and the industry at large—helping promote the value, sustainability, and market opportunity of Eastern White Pine across North America and the world.
Matt’s also passionate about giving back to the people and communities around him. For years Matt served as a youth sports coach in his community. And, in 2018, he founded the James C. Place Memorial Golf Tournament, an annual event that honors the legacy of his longtime friend, mentor, and customer while raising funds to support Maine families, students, and community organizations.
Please join us in congratulating Matt on this exciting new step in his career!