Julia Klein, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer

Business Leadership and Accomplishments

Julia Klein, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer, has led the transformation of C.H. Briggs Company from family business to growth platform company, expanding its products, geography and markets; introducing innovative technology and integrating six acquisitions.

C.H. Briggs is one of the nation’s largest independently owned distributors of specialty building materials. Supported by four distribution centers, the company distributes decorative and functional hardware; hardwood plywoods and panel products; decorative surfacing materials; and production supplies to the residential and commercial cabinet, woodworking, countertop, and casework industries.

Charles Harry and Georgeanna Briggs, Ms. Klein's grandparents, established the company in 1969 in his garage. Her father was also active in the business. Ms. Klein joined the company in 1989 and purchased it in 1991. 

Now one of the nation's top 100 women-owned businesses, the company has experienced dramatic growth during Ms. Klein’s tenure, and has been in the top quartile for profitability in its industry segment for 20 years.

Ms. Klein and the Briggs Team developed the company from a local hardware distributor into a super-regional distributor of a wide range of building materials, known for its early and innovative application of technology. Under her leadership, C.H. Briggs became the first company in its industry segment to deliver full service online.

Today, C.H. Briggs is a professionally managed organization of 145 coworkers, with more than 240 vendors and 10,000 customers in the mid-Atlantic and southeast. 

Ms. Klein and her company have received many business and community service awards, and she is frequently asked to speak on distribution and technology, growth strategy and women’s issues.

Leading from the Middle of the Supply Chain

C.H. Briggs reaches beyond the traditional role of distributor, adding value up the supply chain and down. The company’s role is to help its customers -- small- to mid-size manufacturers and retailers -- learn about and profit from products and innovations of its vendors. The company also helps its vendors – ranging from small, family-owned companies to multinational corporations -- increase their market share.

C.H. Briggs goes beyond products to offer credit, delivery, education and other services that enhance its customers’ profitability.

This approach to doing business has earned the company the Most Innovative Supplier Support Program award presented by Kitchen & Bath Design News.

Leading through Technology

C.H. Briggs put its catalog online in 1999, becoming the first company in its market segment to make ordering and other services available to customers 24/7. That move, and early applications of technology to streamline internal operations, established the company’s reputation as an innovator.

The company was twice named a national winner in the Inc. Magazine/Cisco Systems Growing with Technology awards. Ms. Klein was invited by the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors to speak on the live satellite broadcast, "Success on the Internet - Real World Strategies for Wholesalers-Distributors," which also featured C.H. Briggs as a case study.

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors invited Ms. Klein to participate in the live webcast, "Surviving 2002 - Real World Strategies for Wholesalers-Distributors," with President George W. Bush.

She traveled to Northern Ireland with the U.S. Department of State to encourage Internet business among Irish entrepreneurs.

Industry and Business Leadership

Ms. Klein is a former board member of the