Simpson Strong-Tie Announces New President and COO

Roger Dankel to lead North America sales, Ricardo Arevalo named Chief Operating Officer

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:53am

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A highly polished, abstract metal sculpture in geometric shapes, representing the structural integrity and innovation of Simpson Strong-Tie's building products, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background and lit with dramatic studio lighting.Simpson Strong-Tie's new leadership team will guide the company's continued growth and innovation in the construction industry.Pleasanton Today

Simpson Strong-Tie, a leading manufacturer of structural building products, has announced two key leadership changes. Roger Dankel will become the President of North America Sales, and Ricardo Arevalo will take on the role of Chief Operating Officer, effective July 1, 2026. These new positions will replace the current role of President and CEO held by Phillip 'Terry' Kingsfather, who is retiring after a 35-year career with the company.

Why it matters

The leadership transition at Simpson Strong-Tie comes at a critical time for the construction industry, which has seen significant growth and innovation in recent years. Dankel and Arevalo's deep knowledge of the company, its customers, and the broader market will be crucial in driving continued growth and maintaining Simpson's strong corporate culture.

The details

Dankel will be responsible for the strategic leadership of Simpson's sales, customer support, and distribution functions across North America. Arevalo, who has served as Vice President of Engineering since 2008, will now oversee the company's operational leadership, including its product lines and related support functions. Both Dankel and Arevalo will be based at Simpson's headquarters in Pleasanton, California.

  • Phillip 'Terry' Kingsfather will remain as President and CEO through the end of June 2026 to ensure a smooth transition.
  • The new roles for Roger Dankel and Ricardo Arevalo will be effective on July 1, 2026.

The players

Roger Dankel

Dankel will become the President of North America Sales at Simpson Strong-Tie. He has been with the company since 1993 and has served as sales manager for the southeast branch since 1997.

Ricardo Arevalo

Arevalo will take on the role of Chief Operating Officer at Simpson Strong-Tie. He joined the company in 1999 and has served as Vice President of Engineering since 2008.

Phillip 'Terry' Kingsfather

Kingsfather is the current President and CEO of Simpson Strong-Tie, a position he has held for the past 35 years. He is retiring at the end of June 2026.

Karen Colonias

Colonias is the CEO of Simpson Manufacturing, the parent company of Simpson Strong-Tie.

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What they’re saying

“We wish Terry all the best in retirement and want to thank him for all that he's done for our company during his 35-year career.”

— Karen Colonias, CEO, Simpson Manufacturing

“Roger and Ricardo are proven leaders, and their deep knowledge of our company, customers and industry will be instrumental in driving growth and maintaining our strong culture.”

— Karen Colonias, CEO, Simpson Manufacturing

“I've had the privilege of working with the most talented employees and customers in the industry, and I know Roger and Ricardo are the right leaders to take on these roles and guide Simpson Strong-Tie into its next chapter of growth.”

— Phillip 'Terry' Kingsfather

What’s next

The leadership transition at Simpson Strong-Tie will be completed by the end of June 2026, with Dankel and Arevalo assuming their new roles on July 1.

The takeaway

The changes at the top of Simpson Strong-Tie reflect the company's commitment to maintaining its strong market position and corporate culture during a period of growth and innovation in the construction industry. Dankel and Arevalo's proven track records and deep industry knowledge position them well to lead the company into the future.