Loyalty, and Company Growth
change, generations change. Be
addicted to hope." These are words
of wisdom from Ann Woodson
Yager Chapman, CEO of Woodson
Lumber Co. and a granddaughter of a
founding member. Passed down from
generations, it is work ethics like these
that have created a family legacy, right
here in the heart of Texas.
and Harrie Woodson set out on a cross-
country journey. Fueled by grief over
the recent loss of their mother, the
boys traveled to such venues as Yellowstone
National Park. However, while in California their money
ran out. To survive, they started working in a lumberyard.
spurred a desire for the brothers to start a business together.
In 1914, they married sisters Mary and Henrietta Watkins,
and moved their families to Caldwell, Texas. The first
Woodson Lumber Co. store opened in December of 1913.
the Marketing and History coordinator, explains the
reason for their success. "The brothers ran the business in
a complementary fashion with one another," Kate shares.
"Jim oversaw the corporate functions and purchasing while
Harrie was gifted in customer service and retail operations."
to include a variety of rural locations. The company has expanded
to 7 different locations in central Texas, and has now passed
through the hands of four generations of family members.
the company. Ann's three adult children--Stuart, Kate
and Philip--now have a special place in the industry.
when the children were very young, in order to help
acquaint them with the business structure and the dynamic
nature of a corporation," Ann says.
loyalty, the Woodson Lumber Company celebrates their
100 year anniversary this year.