About Us

The Forge Lumber philosophy is simple: Provide best-in-class products and services for our customers in every project. We are proud to have deep roots and extensive experience in the building materials industry. Our service area now includes the entire region that extends through the Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Lexington, Louisville, and Indianapolis markets.

We provide our clients with:

Greater access through our two facilities, including our Erlanger headquarters and Queensgate complete distribution facility.
The power to purchase and deliver effectively and efficiently as the only lumber operation in the Cincinnati area with a direct rail siding…We have two
Broader inventory
More service personnel and equipment for superior customer attention

The Forge management team leads the company-wide effort to deliver high-quality services quickly and efficiently every time. Read about the team members to learn about their extensive industry experience and the capabilities they bring to Forge Lumber.

Forge Leadership

John Steinman

President

John Steinman brings over 20 years of experience in the building materials business and over 25 years in the packaging industry to Forge Lumber leadership. A graduate of Miami University and Chase Law School, John is active in the community and serves on a number of boards including Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and The Lindner Center.

Eric Steinman

Executive Vice President

Eric Steinman has more than 20 years in the packaging business and over 20 years in the building materials industry, and brings that experience to Forge Lumber. He is a graduate of Denison University. Eric is a Trustee at The Summit Country Day School and serves on the Advisory Board for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati.

David A. Luecke

Vice President of Sales and Marketing
dluecke@forgelumber.com

Dave Luecke has 35 years of experience in the lumber and building materials business, including tenure as the President and CEO of a $40 million lumber yard. Dave has a degree in paper technology from Miami University, has served on the Board of Allied Construction Industries, the Board of Ohio Lumbermen’s Association, and the Board of the Cincinnati Rotary Club. He is a present Board member of the Spirit of Construction Foundation.

Jerry Schaefer

Vice President of Construction Services

Jerry got his start in construction early, as a freshman in high school. He later graduated from Cincinnati Technical College with a double degree in AS Civil/Construction Management and AS Civil/Surveying. His strong background in the residential and commercial construction business in greater Cincinnati comes from long-term positions with major construction companies. He boasts more than 30 years in the industry.

Cory Eyer

Vice President

Cory Eyer has a strong background built from 6 years in the construction and remodeling business and 17 years of sales experience in the lumber business. He holds a B.S. in business from Northern Kentucky University.

John Steinman IV

Director of Purchasing and IT Services

John Steinman IV has been in the industry for more than 5 years, building his experience in both sales and logistics before assuming his current position as Director of Purchasing and IT Services. John is a graduate of the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio.

Patty Kautz

CFO

Patty Kautz is a CPA who started her career with Deloitte and Touche in 1984. She was in the audit department and was a Senior Manager when she left in 1997 to work for BMI, Inc. Having served a variety of roles in the 10 years with BMI, she is now CFO for Forge Lumber. Patty has a BBA in accounting from the University of Cincinnati, where she remains active. She is currently the President of the College of Business Alumni Association Board of Governors.

Ronald L. Doering

Ron Doering has been involved in the building material business for over 30 years. His experience includes distribution of building materials through lumber dealers and direct to builders, purchasing of commodities and building materials, warehousing, construction, sales, trucking, manufacturing of roof and floor trusses, fabrication of interior and exterior doors, building wall panels and installed framing.

Recent prior experience was with BMI, Inc where he served as Chief Operating Officer of a building material enterprise that grew rapidly from $13 million in 1988 to $92 million. BMI, Inc companies included Erlanger Lumber Company, Kapers Building Supply, Preferred Building Components, Centerville Builders Supply, and Moellering Industries.

Most recently he is involved with Forge Lumber as an advisor and director.