Recognition highlights veteran executives and rising talent reshaping the nation’s homebuilding industry, including LP’s Neil Freidberg as a Young Guns honoree
LP Building Solutions (LP), a leading manufacturer of high-performance building products, today announced that Chair and CEO Brad Southern has been named a 2025 Legends honoree by Pro Builder. The national program recognizes long-tenured leaders whose careers have shaped the homebuilding industry. The publication also named LP Building Science Manager Neil Freidberg to its 2025 Young Guns list, highlighting emerging talent influencing the future of residential construction.
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Recognition highlights veteran executives and rising talent reshaping the nation’s homebuilding industry
The Young Guns & Legends program evaluates nominees on leadership, industry impact, innovative thinking and commitment to advancing homebuilding. Southern, who joined LP in 1999, rose through executive roles before becoming CEO in 2017 and Chair in 2020. His tenure has focused on steering the company toward a portfolio built around high-performance specialty products.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by Pro Builder, an important voice in our industry,” said Southern. “While the award may have my name on it, it reflects the work of the entire LP team. Together, we’ve strengthened the company’s position in innovation, performance and customer satisfaction.”
Under Southern’s leadership, LP has expanded its line of value-added products and delivered strong financial results, including returning more than $4 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. He has emphasized a culture rooted in accountability and integrity through principles he introduced, including Think and Act Like Owners™ and Do the Right Thing Always™. Southern serves on the boards of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Nashville branch, the National Association of Manufacturers and the Forest Products Association of Canada. He is also a two-time recipient of Fastmarkets’ North American CEO of the Year Award.
Freidberg, recognized as one of the program’s Young Guns, joined LP five years ago and is a prominent figure in building science. He serves on the board of the Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International and contributes to several ASHRAE and ASTM International technical committees that help shape standards for insulation, air barriers and moisture management. Known for making complex science accessible, he is a frequent speaker and advisor across the architecture, engineering and construction sectors.
With four U.S. patents and 12 pending, Freidberg is influencing how homes are built by helping builders meet evolving codes while improving performance, reducing costs and enhancing homeowner comfort. He is also active in mentoring early-career professionals and encouraging interest in STEM through school and community outreach.
"I’m honored to be recognized by Pro Builder," said Freidberg. "I’m grateful to everyone who pushed me to stay curious and keep asking how things work. I also want to thank the leaders who encouraged me to grow in areas I might never have explored and LP for the nomination. I’m proud to represent this company every day.”
Profiles of the 2025 Young Guns & Legends honorees appear in the November/December 2025 issue of Pro Builder and at ProBuilder.com.
About LP Building Solutions
As a leader in high-performance building solutions, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP Building Solutions, NYSE: LPX) manufactures engineered wood products that meet the demands of builders, remodelers and homeowners worldwide. LP’s extensive portfolio of innovative and dependable products includes Siding Solutions (LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding, LP® SmartSide® ExpertFinish® Trim & Siding, LP BuilderSeries® Lap Siding and LP® Outdoor Building Solutions®), LP® Structural Solutions (LP® TechShield® Radiant Barrier Sheathing, LP WeatherLogic® Air & Water Barrier, LP Legacy® Premium Sub-Flooring, LP® FlameBlock® Fire-Rated Sheathing and LP® TopNotch® 350 Durable Sub-Flooring) and LP® Oriented Strand Board. In addition to product solutions, LP provides industry-leading customer service and warranties. Since its founding in 1972, LP has been Building a Better World™ by helping customers construct beautiful, durable homes while shareholders build lasting value. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, LP operates more than 20 manufacturing facilities across North and South America. For more information, visit LPCorp.com.
About Pro Builder
Pro Builder is the nation's leading source of news, trends and best business practices for the U.S. housing industry and is the official media partner of the National Association of Home Builders. Published independently by EndeavorB2B, Pro Builder provides award-winning content across print, online, e-newsletters, social media, and in-person channels for home builders, developers, design professionals and other housing industry stakeholders. Learn more at ProBuilder.com.
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“While the award may have my name on it, it reflects the work of the entire LP team. Together, we’ve strengthened the company’s position in innovation, performance and customer satisfaction." – Chair & CEO Brad Southern
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