Professional of the Year - Education/Manufacturing
![]() |
Donald J. Leith |
Title: | Founder and President |
Industry: | Solid wood building products |
Type of Organization: | Manufacturing- certified healthy products for the building industry |
Major Product/Service: | Utilizing sustainable construction materials to produce solid wood building products |
Expertise: | Donald has 50 years of experience in manufacturing. This time has included joint ventures with Federal Reserve in Russia. His expertise pertains to the use of wood as construction material, including fire ratings, structural specifications, etc. |
Geographic Area of Distribution: | National, International |
Affiliations: | American Saler’s Association- 2 terms as president; American Limousin Association; Lake Country Resort in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri- board member and contributor; Malibu Investment Company- board member; Jerusalem Methodist Church- board member; International Biology & Ecology; International Biology & Ecology; Founder & President of New Homestead USA; Founder and President of North Payette Milling; Founder President of Healthy New Homes; Lumber Enterprises International Trading & Holding Company; Owner and President of Lazy L-5 Ranch Co.; Founder and President of Ranch Connection Inc.; 50% owner of Evergreen Laboratories in Fort Collins Colorado |
Hobbies/Sports: | Traveling, fishing, dining out, family activities |
Spouse: | Sharlene L. Leith |
Married: | 1974 |
Children: | Jeffrey, Terrilyn, Rebecca, Dennis, Dean, Gregory, Debra |
Honors & Awards: | Saler’s Bull from the French President, Valery Giscard d’Estaing, 1976; National Winner of the Prettiest Place in the Country from Farm and Ranch Magazine |
Published Works: | Home Run for Buildings, publication anticipated 2025 |
Career Accomplishments: | Dr. Paul Henderson, V.P. of the Federal Reserve, appointed Donald J. Leith to lead lumber and forest product joint ventures with Russian sawmills in the 90s. This included education and finance for sawmills, as well as partnership development with US companies. |