Lee Stratton Baker

Owner and President

Lee was born and raised in Nicholasville, where she graduated from Jessamine County High School. She recieved her Bachelor's Degree in Business Education from Eastern Kentucky State College, and her Masters Degree from Georgetown College. In 1965, Lee married William R. (Bill) Baker, and together they have one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren.

In the early 1970s, Lee and Bill operated Kashway Home Center, a subsidiary of Stratton Lumber Company, for several years before it was sold. It was a newly designed "Do-It-Yourself" operation with a full line of hardware, appliances, paint and wallpaper, and unfinished furniture. Bill managed the business while Lee taught business courses at Jessamine County High for 13 years. Lee's hobbies and interests include collecting and constucting dollhouses and miniatures, needlework, and gardening.

leebaker@strattonlumber.com

William R. "Bill" Baker

Vice President of Operations

Bill was born in Berea, Kentucky where he graduated from Berea High School. He recieved his Bacholer's Degree in Industrial Arts Education and Industrial Technology from Eastern Kentucky State College, and his Masters degree in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Kentucky. In 1965 he met and married Lee Stratton and they have two children and 5 grandchildren. Bill started teaching in the Fayette County School System that same year and worked at Stratton Lumber Company during his "off" time. In 1967, Bill started working full time with Stratton's as General Manager, until he became Vice President of Operations in 1997. Bill is a past bank director of First National Bank, Nicholasville, Kentucky, and Citizens National Bank of Jessamine County. He is a current bank director of the United Bank of Kentucky. Antique automobile collecting and wood-working are the hobbies and interests of Mr. Baker.

billbaker@strattonlumber.com

George Denton

Sales

A native of Nicholasville, Kentucky, George has more than 20 years experience in the building material industry.  He has been with Stratton Lumber Company for over 15 years.  George is our in-house technical expert on Andersen Windows and Doors.  George’s previous work history includes Lowes, Bluegrass Woodworking and Central Kentucky Supply.  George is a member of Edgewood Baptist Church where he attends with his wife, Kim and their two children, Makayla and Chad.  He enjoys golf, bowling, woodworking, remodeling houses, UK sports and spending time with his family.

georgedenton@stratton.com

Brent Newby

Sales

Brent joined the Stratton Lumber sales staff in 2006 bringing with him 17 years experience in management and sales in both the construction and building material industries.  He is currently an Outside Salesperson servicing primarily Commercial Contractors and Architect accounts.  Brent is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University where he earned Bachelors of Science Degrees in Business Management and Marketing.  Brent is a past member of the Harrodsburg/Mercer County Tourism Commission, a participant and graduate of Leadership Washington County, and served on many local civic committees.  Brent resides in Harrodsburg where he attends Harrodsburg Baptist Church.  In his free time, Brent enjoys traveling, boating, fishing and spending time with family, friends, and his daughter.  

brentnewby@strattonlumber.com     

Nelson Bottoms

Operations Manager / Sales

 Nelson, a life-long resident of Jessamine County, began working for Stratton Lumber Company 12 years ago in our hardware department.  He was later promoted to Manager of the department and today Nelson is the Operations Manager as well as an Inside Salesperson in the lumber and building materials department.  While working in the hardware department, Nelson received a Certificate of Completion from the Do-It-Best Hardware College of Retail Training.  Nelson enjoys hunting, fishing and assisting with his son’s Little League Baseball team.  He is a member of the Bluegrass Sportsman League.  Nelson lives in Nicholasville with his wife Christy and their two children.  

nelsonbottoms@strattonlumber.com

Phil Herald

General Manager

Phil has been with Stratton Lumber Company for twenty years.  The Herald family has a long history in the lumber and building material business.  Prior to joining the Stratton team, Phil accepted the duties of General Manager of Perry Lumber Company in Lexington, Kentucky from his father.  Phil was the General Manager of Perry Lumber Company for five years before Mr. Bill Baker asked Phil to join him at Stratton Lumber.  Before beginning his career, Phil attended the University of Kentucky and Georgetown College.  Phil is the past President and current Vice-President of the Kentucky Building Materials Association.  He is a Board Member of the Kentucky Professional Football Hall of Fame, past President of the Madison County Board of Realtors and a past member of the Madison County Board of Education.  Phil resides in Waco, Kentucky with his wife Sue and their dog, Ellie.  Phil enjoys NASCAR, University of Kentucky football and auctioneering.

philherald@strattonlumber.com

 Jason Drury

 Sales

Jason joined Stratton Lumber Company in April 1999.  Jason has had many duties and responsibilities during his employment for the company.  Jason began by working in the lumber yard loading/unloading  trucks and assisting with customers orders.  He later became a delivery driver before being transferred to inside sales.  While working in sales he began taking classes at Lexington Community College in Architectural Drafting.    Currently, Jason is an Outside Sales Representative for Stratton Lumber Company and in-house specialist for Georgia Pacific engineered lumber.   Jason also operates his own business, Residential Draftsman.  He and his wife Amy reside in Nicholasville with their daughter, Terry Lynn.  Jason is an avid bass fisherman and also enjoys deer and turkey hunting.   He is a member of Bass Insider and Central Kentucky Bassmaster.

  jasondrury@strattonlumber.com

Tracy Watkins

Sales

Tracy has been with Stratton Lumber Company for two years.  A native of Mt. Sterling and now a resident of Nicholasville, Tracy previously worked for Infinity Hospitality as a project manager remodeling hotels.     He has also owned and operated his own businesses specializing in hardwood flooring and handy man services.  Tracy works in the lumber department as an inside sales representative and oversees the Installed Sales projects for the company.  He is our resident “deck specialists”.   In his spare time Tracy enjoys home improvement projects, woodworking projects and tinkering with his remote control airplanes.

tracywatkins@strattonlumber.com

Joanie Hager

Administrative Assistant

Joanie has been with Stratton Lumber Company for nearly fifteen years. Joanie has varied duties and responsibilities. As the Administrative Assistant, she assists in developing the advertising needs of the company, processing accounts payable, assisting with human resources and answering the phones. Originally from Louisville, Joanie now resides in Nicholasville with her husband and three children. Her family attends Southland Christian Church. Her past activities include PTO vice president, BES Advisory Council, EJMS Site Base Council. In her free time she enjoys working on her crafts, cooking, reading and most of just being with family and friends.

joaniehager@strattonlumber.com

Tammy Sword

Credit Manager

Tammy, our Credit Manager, has been with Stratton Lumber Company since 1999. Tammy’s duties include payroll, processing new account applications, preparing monthly statements and collections. Tammy was previously an Accounting Clerk for Barlow Homes. She also has her real estate license and works part-time with her mother as a realtor. Tammy resides in Lexington with her husband Randy. They attend Jessamine Christian Church and she is a member of the Lexington Board of Realtors. Tammy enjoys spending her spare time with her family and cheering on the UK Wildcats.

tammysword@strattonlumber.com

Richard "Dick" Boise

Sales

Richard is a native of Smyrna, New York has 20 years experience in the lumber and building materials industry.  He has been with Stratton Lumber Company for nine years and has previously worked at Contractor’s Warehouse, Lowes, and Huttig Sash & Door.  Richard is a Salesperson at Stratton Lumber’s Lexington store, Advantage Window Center.   Richard and his wife Dorothy reside in Lexington.  They enjoy music and history.

dickboise@advantagewindow.com

Benny Pivonka, Jr.

Advantage Window Store Manager / Sales

Benny relocated to Nicholasville from Delaware, Ohio and has been with Stratton Lumber Company for 24 years.  Over the years Benny has worn many different hats for the company.  He is currently the manager of Advantage Window Center, a division of Stratton Lumber located in Lexington, KY.  His previous employers include Jessamine Lumber and Big Sandy Hardware.  Benny attended Southside Vo-Tech  and Bethel Bible Institute.  He is a member of Lexington Home Builders and the Remodelers Council.  In his spare time, Benny operates a travel agency with his wife Debbie.  He enjoys snorkeling, reading, computers, swimming, singing and the ministry.

bennypivonka@advantagewindow.com

Dwight Lancaster

Hardware Department Manager

Dwight joined the Stratton Lumber team in 2007 as the Manager of the Hardware Department  after owning and operating his own auto parts business in Nicholasville for 16 years .  Dwight is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University where he earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Agriculture and a minor in Business Administration.  He enjoys hunting, fishing and being outdoors.    He is a member of the Bluegrass Sportsman League.

dwightlancaster@advantagewindow.com

Tonya Wells

Executive Assistant

Tonya is a life-long resident of Nicholasville and has been with Stratton Lumber Company since 1995.  Tonya’s duties include processing accounts payable invoices, customer credits, and payroll.  She has attended Lexington Community College and seminars on Accounts Receivable Collections and Computer Information Technology.  She attends Providence Christian Church with her husband, Todd, and their son, Mathew.  In her free time she enjoys being with her family and friends.  Her interests include photography, scrapbooking, shopping, cooking and working out.  

tonyawells@strattonlumber.com

Tom Noe

Assistant General Manager

Tom is a native of Nicholasville and a graduate of Bethel Bible College.  He has worked for Stratton Lumber Company for 30 years.  Through the years Tom has attended many training seminars including management training, sales training, inventory control, and millwork.  Tom is a member of the Bluegrass Sportsman League and enjoys hunting and fishing in his free time.

tomnoe@strattonlumber.com