Earl Fenner

Earl Fenner has built a career of nearly thirty years in the global building materials industry, recognized for leading operations, guiding large teams, and delivering measurable growth across North America and international markets. With full P&L accountability and responsibility for more than 400 employees, he has consistently combined financial discipline with strategic execution, always focusing on both employee engagement and customer success. Earl earned a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Florida and later completed his MBA at Pepperdine University. Beginning his professional journey in the early 1990s, he stepped into roles that involved plant operations, manufacturing leadership, and product development. These positions gave him early experience in cost management, process improvement, and new product introduction, paving the way for advancement into senior management. Over time, he became known for guiding capital investments, overseeing complex product lifecycles, and expanding commercial reach. A milestone in his career was leading the Ultralight Wallboard initiative, introducing the first lightweight drywall technology. He managed a cross-functional team of more than 100 individuals to launch USG’s SHEETROCK® Brand Ultralight Panels, which became the company’s most significant innovation during the recovery from the Great Recession. The success of this effort highlighted his ability to translate technical progress into market impact. In later roles, Fenner guided global marketing strategy, supported entry into new markets, and built partnerships that broadened brand visibility. As Director of Building Science, Technology & Commercialization, he drove innovation backed by research and profitability models, earning the CEO Award for delivering results. He also oversaw a division with annual revenue exceeding $495 million, aligning shared services and launching the “Field Champions” program to recognize top-performing employees nationwide.