A quality company founded
on years of experience

With a team that brings on average more than 30 years to the industry, East Teak’s executives have some of the longest standing relationships in the business, which allows us to source the highest quality woods for our customers.

What sets the East Teak executive team apart is our consistent reputation for quality and customer service and our personal attention to each and every project.

At East Teak, excellence matters. Our Executive Leadership includes:

Don R. Daseke, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
John R. Sloan, Vice Chairman
Wayne I. Rogers, President and Chief Operating Officer
Scott R. Hamilton, Senior Vice President – West Coast Division
George V. Guy, Vice President
Rick McKinney, Vice President
Marion Hamilton, Vice President
Matt Mladenka, Marketing and Sales Director
James R. Brown, Controller

Don R. Daseke
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Don Daseke serves as chairman and chief executive officer for East Teak. A certified public accountant by education, Daseke has been a successful entrepreneur and executive for many years.

Before joining East Teak, Daseke was the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Walden Residential Properties, Inc., a real estate investment trust listed on the New York Stock Exchange until it was sold in 2000. In addition, he was the founding chairman of the board for Sage Telecom Inc., a uniquely successful telecom company.

Daseke is the president of the board of directors of the WaterTower Theater, a trustee of DePauw University, chairman of Liquid Motors, Inc., and advisory director of SKH Energy Fund and Antares Exploration Fund. He is a past chairman of the Dallas Chapter of World Presidents Organization, as well as a commissioner on the Town of Addison Planning and Zoning Commission.

Daseke received a bachelor’s degree from DePauw University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago.

As vice chairman for East Teak, John Sloan participates in the company’s strategic planning. He also searches for compatible acquisitions and oversees financing to fund East Teak’s future growth initiatives.

In addition to his efforts for East Teak, Sloan serves as president and chief executive officer of Dallas-based VentureLink. Formed in 1993, VentureLink invests in private equity and venture capital transactions for companies that are seeking both capital and managerial support. With more than 25 years of experience in private equity and venture capital, Sloan has directly participated in transactions with an aggregate value of more than $6 billion.

Sloan maintains extensive relationships with both commercial and investment banks, as well as numerous private investment organizations. He has successfully completed both public and private financings on a domestic and international basis. In addition, his private equity experience includes the acquisition of more than 20 companies in leveraged buyout transactions.

Sloan earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin, where he majored in accounting.

Wayne Rogers joined East Teak in 1991, when he was hired as a general manager. In his current role, Rogers manages the company’s importing procedures and purchasing, while also supervising all phases of operations for the company’s Asian suppliers.

Prior to joining East Teak, Rogers worked in the automotive industry. He was the owner of several auto parts stores, warehouses and machine shops. In addition he started and sold various businesses in his field.

When he is not working, Rogers is active in his church and mission work.

Scott Hamilton began his career at East Teak in 1975, handling customer orders. He also worked in the transportation division and mill operations.

In addition, he makes several trips a year to suppliers to ensure superior quality, and to interact with sawyers and oversee production.

Prior to joining East Teak, Hamilton worked for Chevron, where he handled mechanical operations.

George Guy launched his career at East Teak in 1996, when he was hired as a sales and customer service manager. Today, as vice president, he is responsible for supervising day-to-day plant operations. In addition, he oversees the sales force and leads their growth development strategies.

Prior to joining East Teak, Guy worked for Venture Construction and Development as an office manager. In his position, he oversaw budgets for residential and commercial projects. Earlier, he was a shift supervisor with Edgefield County EMS.

Guy attended Midlands Tech, where he received EMT-Paramedic certification. He has also served as a past and present chairman of the Abbeville County EMS Commission. In addition, Guy has served for more than 20 years as a volunteer with the Paramedics Association for Abbeville County.

Rick McKinney joined East Teak in 1983, when he was hired to handle lumber orders and operate woodworking machinery. During his many years with the company, he served as operations manager for lumber and millwork operations, as well as general manager for the Sultan plant. He also started and managed East Teak’s flooring division.

McKinney began his current position in 2003. As vice president, he is responsible for sales to both new and existing clients. In addition, he manages marketing research to find new products and reliable suppliers, while also handling the purchase of lumber, flooring and deck tiles.

McKinney spent two years at Lake Washington Technical College studying mechanical engineering.

Marion Hamilton is vice president, west coast division for East Teak Fine Hardwoods, Inc., the industry leader in First European Quality teak lumber, exotic hardwoods and fine hardwood products.

Hamilton began her career at East Teak in 1986 where she oversaw database management. Much later, she served as the project manager when East Teak opened their second location in Sultan, Washington. Following that, she began working as a sales consultant focusing her attention on architects wanting to learn more about teak and other fine hardwoods.

Hamilton came into her current position in 2006. As vice president, she will continue to manage sales efforts on the west coast. In addition, she will manage increased sales efforts towards architects, wholesale lumber yards, builders and contractors interested in teak and other fine hardwoods.

Prior to joining East Teak, Hamilton owned her own business, where she grew and harvested culinary herbs for restaurants, bakeries, and caterers.

Matt Mladenka brought his marketing experience to East Teak after a nine-year career with the Young Entrepreneurs Organization (YEO), where he served as senior manager over business development, marketing and public relations. In 2001, he received the organization’s highest staff award for making significant contributions to YEO and its members.

Before his tenure at YEO, Mladenka was in charge of purchasing and product development for Token Exchange, Inc., a start-up toy distributor.

Mladenka received his bachelor’s degree in marketing and entrepreneurship from Baylor University.

Since joining East Teak in 2000, James Brown has handled the company’s accounting operations, financial statements and employee benefits program.

Prior to joining East Teak, Brown worked for Cliffs Golf and Country Club, Inc. In his position, he oversaw budgeting and other financial concerns. Earlier, he was an accounting manager for Club Corporation of America, Inc. During his time there, Brown was in charge of the hiring, training and supervising of accountants on staff. In addition, Brown assisted with several key acquisitions. He also provided key budgetary information and conducted internal audits for the company.

Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C.

home >> about us >> executive team

A quality company founded on years of experience

A quality company founded
on years of experience