FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CEMCO® Announces Retirement of President and CEO Tom Porter

— July 7, 2026 — CEMCO®, LLC the premier manufacturer of cold-formed steel framing and metal lath products for over 50 years announces today that president and CEO Tom Porter will officially step down on December 31, 2026, after a remarkable 39-year career.

Starting in 1987 as a sales representative working for the Poliquin family, Tom began a stellar career spanning 5 decades. Tom’s leadership responsibilities include vice president, executive vice-president, and finally president and CEO. Stepping into the role of president and CEO effective January 1, 2027, is current vice-president of sales and marketing Eric Larson who has been with CEMCO for 34 years. Tom will remain with the company from January 1^st to June 30^th, 2027, as executive advisor as Eric transitions into his new role.

Early in his career, Tom was often at the forefront of growing the industry. Heavily involved in the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Tom was one of the original members of the Steel Framing Alliance (SFA) where he was involved in efforts to increase the use of steel framing in residential construction. Tom’s career continued with other industry firsts, including being a founding member of the Steel Stud Manufacturer’s Association (SSMA) which in turn led to his role as president of SSMA. In 2016 CEMCO joined the Steel Framing Industry Association, Tom became an active board member for eight years, six of those as president.

“My time at CEMCO has been deeply rewarding. Over the years, I have watched our company navigate several recessions, the 2008–2009 financial crisis, and COVID, emerging stronger and more resilient each time. I owe my career to the many people at CEMCO whom I have had the privilege to work with and learn from over the past 39 years. Their hard work and dedication have made CEMCO the company it is today. I am also deeply grateful to the Poliquin family and to our new owners, JFE Shoji America Holdings, Inc. for trusting me in both my past and current roles.”

During Tom’s tenure at CEMCO, the company grew from one manufacturing facility in the City of Industry, CA to four, each strategically located in the metropolitan areas of East Bay, CA, Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, and our newest facility in Commerce City, CO (formerly CEMCO-Denver at 490 Osage St.) with over five hundred employees. CEMCO has supplied materials to some of the nation’s most prolific commercial construction projects. Tom also played a key role with the executive management team during the acquisition of CEMCO by JFE Shoji America  Holdings, Inc. in 2023. Tom’s legacy of leadership, foresight, and relationships with customers, employees, and vendors will forever hold him in the highest echelons of admiration and respect from his peers.

Eric Larson started his career at CEMCO 33 years ago. Hired by Tom Porter as a sales representative, Eric spent 10 years as regional sales manager overseeing Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada. In 2014 Eric was promoted to director of business development managing CEMCO Engineering, technical services, proprietary products as well as developing strategic relationships with industry partners. In 2018 Larson was promoted to vice president of sales and marketing where he currently leads the entire sales team as well as the marketing group. Eric has served on CEMCO’s executive committee for the past 12 years, is a former board member of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI) and currently serves as the president of SFIA.