Speaking - Russ Kathrein

REAL STORIES. REAL NUMBERS. SOMETHING YOU CAN USE ON MONDAY.

Most speakers give you motivation. Russ gives you a system. Every keynote and breakout comes from 30 years of buying, running, and fixing lumber businesses. No slides full of quotes. Just hard-won lessons, real numbers, and the stories behind them.

TALK TOPICS

Every talk is built to fit your audience, your format, and your time slot. Here’s where most conversations start.

Keynote

"The Five Operational Changes That Added $2M to My Bottom Line"

Pit Crew delivery. Delivery fees. AR collection. Dead inventory. Pricing control. Five systems, five stories, five numbers your audience can take home and put to work.

Keynote

"SEEING THE INVISIBLE PEOPLE A Leader’s Guide to Finding, Developing, and Keeping the People Everyone Else Walks Past"

Seeing the Invisible People makes the case that the leaders who build the best teams, the strongest cultures, and the most durable organizations are not the ones with the sharpest strategy or the most polished executive presence. They are the ones who learned to notice what everyone else ignores.

Breakout / Workshop

"The Leadership Playbook
Nobody Gave You"

For next-gen owners, new GMs, and recently promoted leaders who got the title but not the training. First 100 days, culture, hard conversations, and how to earn respect you can't inherit.

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WHERE RUSS HAS SPOKEN

what your audience

walks away with

Russ doesn’t read slides. He tells stories, draws on 30 years of real experience, and gives your audience specific systems and numbers they can put to work the week they get home.

Here's what conference organizers can expect:

A speaker who's done the job your audience does every day

Talks built on real operations, real P&Ls, and real results

Tactical takeaways, not inspirational filler

A style that's direct, funny, and impossible to tune out

Full collaboration on topic, format, and time slot before the event

A speaker who's done the job your audience does every day

Talks built on real operations, real P&Ls, and real results

Tactical takeaways, not inspirational filler

A style that's direct, funny, and impossible to tune out

Full collaboration on topic, format, and time slot before the event

Who's On Your Stage

LBM Strategies Conference, HBSDealer CEO Summit, Do it Best Markets, NLBMDA

I'm Russ Kathrein. I grew up in a lumber yard, bought the family business out of bankruptcy, ran 22 locations as CEO, and now oversee a $3B LBM division. I've been a leadership columnist for LBM Journal since 2018 and I've been fired twice. Everything I talk about on stage, I learned the hard way first.

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Published Articles

Leadership columnist for LBM Journal since 2018.

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Years in LBM

From the lumber yard to the boardroom.

Ready-to-Go Keynotes

Built for LBM audiences, adaptable to any format.

Looking For

More Than a Keynote?

Some problems don't get solved in 60 minutes on stage. If you want someone who'll sit down with you, look at your P&L, and help you find the money hiding in your operation, that's coaching.

Work With Russ

What People Say

About Russ

"Russ shows up as a true partner. Consultant, sounding board, and mentor. And he delivers in all three. For over a decade, I’ve worked with Russ in each of these roles. He brings thoughtful, timely insight you can actually use. No matter where you are in your career, working with Russ will make you better."

Scott Morrison Operational Excellence Manager, Do it Best

"I’ve known Russ since his early days at ProBuild, when he stepped in as my leader. From day one, he stood out. He understands the real challenges leaders face and gives practical ways to handle them. His ideas are sharp, proven, and he lives what he teaches. Russ invests in people. He’s been a mentor to me and many others, and I respect him deeply."

Steven Slater Oklahoma City Market Manager, Mill Creek Lumber & Supply Company

"Russ brings real value every time you talk with him. He’s sharp, practical, and pushes your thinking in the right way. He’s been a trusted sounding board for leadership across sales, marketing, and operations. His advice is grounded in real experience, and it shows. If you want to grow as a leader and build stronger teams, work with Russ."

Roan DelVero Chief Growth Officer, Bolyard Lumber & Design

"Russ is the kind of leader who makes you better. He pushed me to think deeper, take on bigger opportunities, and step into growth I wouldn’t have taken on my own. He leads with a hands-on, collaborative style that builds trust and drives performance. His perspective across the LBM industry makes him incredibly effective at leading teams and developing people."

Jon Cohen Central Division GM, Weyerhaeuser

"As I’ve had the pleasure to meet and interact with Russ the past decade, I am continually Impressed with his approach to business and leadership, overall. Russ is both highly relational and results focused. While any business interaction may have moments of tension, Russ has a unique skill that allows all parties to feel heard and served, well. To land in a good place for all parties. Moreover, this skill is one he’s actively training others to possess. Whether through his writings or daily interactions. Russ is a great communicator and friend."

Ashley Kay Chief Commercial Officer, Specialty Building Products

“Russ is in a category of his own. When TOOLBX partnered with Do it Best, he was a big reason it happened. He saw what we were building early, believed in it, and helped turn that vision into a strong partnership. What makes Russ different is that he’s not selling ideas from the sidelines. He’s an operator who’s lived this business. He tells the truth, says what needs to be said, and helps move the business forward. If you get the chance to work with Russ, take it.”

Erik Bornstein TOOLBX

Frequently Asked Questions

What industries do you work with?

I specialize in the Lumber and building materials. I've spent 30+ years in this industry, and I believe you coach what you know. However my leadership message on Seeing the Invisible, as well as my Leadership Playbook, transcends all industries that need to get the best out of their people.

What size audiences does Russ typically speak to?

Russ has spoken to small focus groups of 20 executives up to audiences of several thousand. A typical speaking engagement is 100 to 300 people

How do I book you to speak at our event?

Reach out through the contact page or email me directly at [email protected]. Tell me about the event, the audience, and what you want them to walk away with. We'll figure out if it's a good fit from there.

How much does a speaking Engagement cost?

The goal is to be affordable so Russ can get his message out. The cost depends on the audience, the industry, and the alignment with the membership of Do it Best Group

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