Denise Brookhouse, CEO of Koopman Lumber Co., was honored as a 2026 Top Guns Award recipient at the Independents Awards Gala during the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference. The conference, held by the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA), describes the Top Guns Awards as follows: "For the past 20 years, the Top Guns Awards program has celebrated retailers who are pillars of innovation and forward-thinking and have helped grow their businesses through strategic leadership with consideration for their communities, their teams and the industry."
"To be included in that category is truly an honor, but I'm only here because of the team that we have at Koopman Lumber," Denise said. "I share this honor with all the employees and my team. This is a great industry with a lot of great people in it, and to be recognized alongside them is an honor."
In 2011, Denise's husband, Tony Brookhouse, who currently serves as COO of Koopman Lumber, was also named a Top Guns honoree, making the couple the first husband and wife to receive the recognition. Denise has built an impressive resume throughout her career in the independent home improvement industry.
Denise was born into the industry. Her grandfather, Peter Koopman, founded Koopman Lumber in 1939, and her father, Don Koopman, joined the company after a career in teaching and sales. While in college, Denise worked at the stores during the summers before beginning her career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the internal audit division of a Fortune 500 company. After several years in the corporate world, Don invited Denise, Tony and Denise's brother, Dirk, to join the family business.
In January 2026, Denise transitioned into the role of CEO after serving as CFO. She succeeded her brother, Dirk, who had served as CEO since 2010 and now serves as the company's president and board chair.
"In January, I started going on what I was calling a listening tour, meeting all the employees, getting out to all the locations and connecting with all the managers to start formulating short- and long-term goals," Denise said. "From what I learned, I was able to set those goals in ways that would benefit all aspects of the company."
The top priority Denise has set for the company is remaining family-owned and independent while integrating the fourth generation into the business and growing through acquisitions and ground-up expansion opportunities.
LMC is proud to recognize Denise's achievement and congratulates her and the entire Koopman Lumber team on this well-deserved honor!
Click Here to Read more about Denise's Story
Koopman Lumber Co. has been an LMC Dealer since 1984
