Executive Staff

Bob Daniels

Co-owner and President

Bob Daniels began working part-time shoveling coal at Chelsea Lumber, Grain, and Coal in the 1940s while a student at Chelsea High School. Since joining Chelsea Lumber full-time in 1956, Bob has, at various times, fulfilled practically every role and responsibility within the company. He is a lifelong Chelsea resident, actively involved in the community. Bob’s son John Daniels is a co-owner of the company.

“We view every one of our employees as part of a family. And we work hard to extend that family feeling to our customers. We’re not a ‘big box’ where service can be minimal, and employees come and go. Customers here enjoy personal attention from our knowledgeable staff, many of whom have been with us for decades.”

Dick McCalla

Co-owner, Vice President, and General Manager

An Ann Arbor native, Dick McCalla moved to Chelsea when he was nine years old, and except for some college and four years in the United States Air Force, he has lived here ever since. Dick joined Chelsea Lumber in 1970, working as a kitchen designer before becoming our general manager. In his spare time, Dick has served the Chelsea School District as a member of the school board and an assistant basketball coach.

“Meeting people and helping them with their home projects is what I like best. I sometimes help customers who have been frustrated in getting their problems solved. Our challenge is to make our customers happy, and if we do, we know they’ll tell their friends how much they’ve enjoyed working with us.”

Dennis Bauer

Co-owner, Treasurer, and Controller

Born and raised on a Chelsea farm, Dennis Bauer graduated from Chelsea High School and the University of Michigan before settling in our town and joining Chelsea Lumber in 1982. Dennis has fulfilled many roles and responsibilities here over the years. He is now a co-owner of our company and our chief financial officer.

“I’m especially proud of our employees, who now number almost 140 with the addition of our Bridgewater Lumber stores in Saline and Bridgewater. The many ways our people work to serve our customers is what makes our company the great community resource it is today.”

John Daniels

Co-owner and General Manager, Bridgewater Lumber Subsidiary

John Daniels’ introduction to Chelsea Lumber came in the mid-1970s, when he worked here while on summer break from Chelsea High School. John joined the company full-time in 1982. He has overseen Chelsea Lumber’s construction financing program for the past 15 years, along with other key operations. He is now the general manager of our subsidiary Bridgewater Lumber stores in Bridgewater and Saline. John resides in Chelsea.

“Being part of something as big and important as helping a customer build a new home gives me great satisfaction. It feels good helping people achieve their dreams. I’m especially proud that we’re a family-owned company contributing to the growth and well-being of the communities we serve.”