Meet Our Leadership Team
We consider ourselves very fortunate to have a tremendous leadership team to help us drive Conner’s commitment to relentlessly pursue our desire to provide you with the industrial wood and packaging solutions you can count on while maintaining our core values.
Company Management
David Dixon, Chief Executive Officer
David began his career in 1988 with Price Waterhouse where he spent 5 years in the Audit Practice working on a variety of clients in the Manufacturing Sector. David then went to Cummins Engine and held a variety of positions in Corporate Logistics, Customs and NAFTA Trade Compliance, Six Sigma Black Belt as well as Audit. David joined Goodyear Tire & Rubber as their Global Leader of Trade Compliance and later became the Worldwide Director of Internal Audit. Read more >>
Jason Smith, Chief Financial Officer
Jason joined Conner in September of 2017. Jason has over 20 years of Financial leadership experience, with more than 15 years in manufacturing. Jason has held leadership roles with Hertz, Devon Energy, GE and his most recent role as the Director of Corporate Accounting with the Crosby Group. Jason has extensive experience in Financial Reporting, Corporate Consolidation and Acquisitions. In addition, Jason has worked in private equity environments, including KKR. Read more >>
Nick Roppolo, Executive VP Sales & GM Integrated Packaging
After earning his Bachelor’s degree in 1992 at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Nick began his career as the Production Manager for a hardwood sawmill in Texas. In 1995, he joined Conner Industries as a hardwood timber and lumber buyer in the company’s Stilwell, Oklahoma plant and then moved up through roles in sales, purchasing and operations. Read more >>
Mike Huggins, Vice President of Corporate Strategy
Mike began his career at Conner Industries in 2007 as a sales representative, where he quickly understood the need for solution selling in the wood packaging industry and began working directly with some of the largest manufacturers in the HVAC, Chemical, and Oil & Gas industries. Read more >>
Board of Directors
Tom Rice, Founder & Director Emeritus
After college (University of Texas at Austin) and serving in the USAF, Tom started his building material and lumber career in 1965 as a salesman for National Gypsum Company in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Read more >>
Walter Barandiaran, Chairman of the Board
Walter is a Managing Partner and Co-Founder of The Argentum Group, a New York-based private equity firm. He has more than 25 years of investment experience, during which time he has led over 40 investments for Argentum and has served on more than 30 boards. Read more >>
Douglas Robinson, Board Member
Douglas previously served as President, International Operations of Lowe’s Companies (NYSE:LOW); President & CEO of Beaver Lumber; and Vice President Purchasing of 84 Lumber Company. Read more >>
Elliot Zeelander, Board Member
Elliot also serves as managing partner of an investment firm in the Los Angeles area and has strong ties in the financial sector with companies such as Crowell, Weedon & Co. and Morgan Stanley. Read more >>
Gregory P. Taylor, Board Member
Gregory P. Taylor is the Chief Executive Officer of Orion Labs, a venture-backed technology leader in collaboration solutions for frontline workers. Greg also serves on the Boards of Harris Freeman & Company Inc. and The Everest Leadership Academy. Read more >>
Adrian Blocker, Board Member
Adrian Blocker retired from Weyerhaeuser serving most recently as Senior Vice President, Timberlands, and Senior Vice President of Wood Products. He joined Weyerhaeuser in 2013 with a 30 year career in operational and corporate experience in forestland management, wood products manufacturing, consumer packaging and fiber procurement. Before joining Weyerhaeuser, he served as CEO of the Wood Products Council, and industry marketing association. Read more >>