01/05/2026
M-D Building Products Announces Christian Leard as President and CEO, Accelerating Long-Term Growth Strategy
Ryan Plotkin named Vice Chairman of the Board
M-D Building Products, a leading family-owned North American manufacturer of weatherization, flooring, sealants, and aluminum extrusion solutions, proudly announces the appointment of Christian Leard as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. This leadership transition marks a pivotal milestone in the company’s long-term strategic growth plan and its commitment to operational excellence.
Christian Leard brings a wealth of experience in manufacturing, operations, and multi-unit leadership. Most recently, Christian served as President and CEO of Perennials and Sutherland, a Bertram Capital portfolio company specializing in luxury outdoor furniture and performance fabrics. He previously led Levolor, the market-leading retail brand under Hunter Douglas, and spent 15 years at Newell Brands in various general management, marketing, and sales leadership roles. Christian began his career at Stanley Black & Decker and served four years on active duty in the United States Navy as a Deep Sea Diver. He holds a BBA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.
Ryan Plotkin, who has served as President and CEO for the past 5+ years, will assume the role as Vice Chairman of the Board, with ongoing involvement in strategic direction, culture, and long-term planning. He will be dedicating his full-time focus and the Plotkin Family Investment in major new initiatives around reshoring and promoting domestic manufacturing.
“These projects represent generational opportunities for domestic manufacturing and supply chain reshoring,” Plotkin said. “While I will be expanding my work in this area, I remain committed to M-D, to our employees, and to our mission as a family-owned company. The Plotkin family is deeply invested in the long-term future of M-D, and in the success of every person who contributes to our organization.”
Christian Leard expressed enthusiasm for the role and the team he will be leading:
“M-D has a rich history, an exceptional culture, and a clear path forward. I’m honored to join this team and excited to build on the strong foundation already in place. One of my favorite quotes borrowed from the founder of one of my previous companies is ‘Business is People,’ and I embody that in my leadership philosophy and professional ethos. I look forward to winning together as a team.”
“Christian’s leadership, experience and strategic mindset make him the ideal choice to guide M-D into its next phase,” said Loren Plotkin, Chairman of the Board. I have known Christian for many years and am so excited that he will be joining the M-D Family. We are confident that under Christian’s leadership, M-D will continue to thrive and deliver exceptional value to our customers, employees, and partners.
M-D Building Products will continue to invest in manufacturing modernization, product innovation, and customer partnerships. The leadership transition strengthens the company’s ability to scale while maintaining the values that have defined our organization.
