As the leader of Millwood’s Lumber Sales and Sourcing team based in Columbus, Ohio, Don oversees a division that plays a critical role in supporting several of the company’s nationwide operations. He manages the office and its employees, maintains pricing models, sources lumber for Millwood’s operations, and oversees contractual agreements with internal clients and external customer accounts. Don and his team also maintain long-standing relationships with sawmills, working to ensure a steady supply of quality lumber that meets Millwood’s high standards. His leadership, deep industry knowledge and faith-driven approach have made him a cornerstone of the company’s lumber sourcing Team.

Don’s path to Millwood began more than four decades ago. With 41 years of experience in the lumber industry, he has seen every side of the business — from wholesale distribution to production partnerships. Earlier in his career, Don worked for a wholesale lumber company, where Millwood happened to be one of his customers. That connection planted the seed for what would eventually become a defining chapter in his professional life.

When the business eventually closed, Don began exploring new opportunities. He had heard that Millwood was looking for a lumber buyer for its Apple Creek, Ohio facility and decided to reach out. What happened next was, in Don’s words, nothing short of divine direction. “I was able to meet with Chip to discuss the opportunity,” Don recalls. “Chip came back to me and said that God had come to him and told him he should offer me a job.” It was a moment that solidified not only a new career path but also a shared sense of faith and purpose.

Since joining Millwood, Don has helped shape and strengthen the company’s lumber operations. One of his earliest and most impactful accomplishments was working with the team at the Apple Creek operation to develop a pricing model that increased production for one customer’s components to three million feet per month — a milestone that set new benchmarks for efficiency and output.

Another key achievement has been growing the wholesale lumber unit into a profitable and sustainable operation that sets Millwood apart from many of its competitors. Under Don’s guidance, the team has built a reputation for integrity, innovation and consistent performance — ensuring that Millwood continues to deliver exceptional value to its customers and partners across the industry.

One of Don’s most recent and meaningful successes came through collaboration. He brought together two companies that had never worked together before, building the relationship purely on faith, strength and trust. That partnership led to a major win for Millwood — supplying crating to one of the largest solar manufacturers in the world. For Don, it was a reminder that faith and perseverance can create opportunities that go far beyond business.

Over the years, Don has witnessed God’s presence in every aspect of Millwood — in its people, its operations, its innovations and its influence within the industry. “God is evident in everything that Millwood does,” he says. “It’s clear in the way we serve, the way we care for our team members, and the way we approach business with honesty and humility.”

Don’s personal values — loyalty, compassion, honesty and kindness — align seamlessly with Millwood’s mission and culture. He believes in serving others, supporting his team and leading with integrity. His leadership style is grounded in his faith and his belief that success is not only about results but also about relationships built on trust and respect.

For Don, Millwood is more than a company. It’s a community of people who share a common purpose — to serve customers, support one another, and honor God through their work. His decades of experience and unwavering faith have made him not just a leader in lumber sourcing but also a living example of Millwood’s mission in action.

Through his service, vision, and steadfast belief in doing the right thing, Don Rutan continues to help Millwood grow stronger while staying true to its foundation of faith, integrity, and care for people.