Rich Wolgemuth

In 1982, Rich joined NexGen Enterprises, formerly known as Hoge-Warren-Zimmermann Company. He started his career in customer service in the Lombard office of Central Acoustical Supply House, a division of HWZ. He moved through the ranks and 24 years later became president and chief operating officer of Nexgen Enterprises.

Rich is credited with opening the first distribution branch facility in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1985. He was appointed to the Board of Directors and Executive Management Committee as vice president in 1994 and shortly thereafter, became executive vice president and general manager for all of Illinois and Wisconsin distribution operations. In 1998, Rich was appointed to lead the Distribution Business Growth Strategy, which resulted in the successful expansion into southern Indiana and the state of Kentucky markets. On July 29, 2011, Rich Wolgemuth and Bruce Kirchhofer acquired the company from Robert and Richard Hoge.

Outside the building industry, Rich has a personal interest in criminal justice. Prior to joining Hoge Warren Zimmermann Company, Rich worked as a police officer for the city of Des Plaines, Ill., and was a member of the Special Operations Group (SWAT team). He currently serves as a member of the Village of Pewaukee, Wis., Police Commission.

Bruce Kirchhofer

In 1977, Bruce began a career with Owens Corning Fiberglass Corporation. He worked in inside and outside sales before eventually rising to Division Financial Services Manager. In 1987 he founded A & I Supply in Chicago, a distributor of various insulation and commercial interior products. He served as President and General Manager of A & I until selling the company to Hoge-Warren-Zimmermann Company in 1995.

After the sale of his company to HWZ, Bruce started as Vice President, General Manager and Board Member at HWZ Company. In 1998, he was named Senior Vice President and began working on the company's expansion strategy. Bruce worked directly on the acquisition and integration of Western Supply, United Building Supply and Mid America Supply. Bruce and Rich Wolgemuth acquired the company from Robert and Richard Hoge on July 29, 2011.

Tod Henderson

Tod joined Evansville Drywall Supply as a Sales Representative in 1991. He had previously worked with the company part time as an insulation installer. In 1997, Tod is accredited with opening the Owensboro, KY location and assumed the role of Sales Manager for both locations. Evansville Drywall Supply was acquired by HWZ Distribution Group in 2000. Tod has held the position of Region General Manager since the acquisition. In 2012 the Bowling Green KY Branch was incorporated into the Region forming NexGen’s Southwest Region.

Jeff Worthington

In 1979, Jeff started his career with United States Gypsum Company. He worked in accounting for 5 years both at the plant level in Oakfield, NY and in the corporate headquarters in Chicago, IL. Jeff spent 2 years in sales covering Southern Indiana for USG before he transferred to USG’s subsidiary L & W Supply in Cincinnati, OH in 1987 where he performed sales and Branch Manager duties. In 1989 he left L & W to start United Building Supply in Cincinnati where he was part owner and President. In 1998 Jeff lead a team of investors in green fielding United Building Materials in Dayton, OH where he was President and part owner. In July of 2005 United Building Supply was acquired by NexGen Building Supply and Jeff stayed on as General Manager for the Ohio Region. Today, Jeff is the Region General Manager for NexGen’s newly formed Southeast Region and is responsible for the branches in Dayton, Cincinnati, Lexington and Louisville.

Mark Fridenmaker

Mark began his career in 1991 as an estimator/project manager for a commercial drywall and acoustical contractor in Northern Kentucky.  In 1993 Mark transitioned over to distribution working for United Building Supply in Cincinnati with a position in outside sales. In 1995 Mark was named Sales Manager for United Building Supply and continued in that capacity until becoming partners with Jeff Worthington and Danny Buis in 2001.  Mark, Jeff and Danny remained partners in United Building Supply until being acquired by NexGen Building Supply in 2005 and merging with the Central Acoustical Supply House branch in Cincinnati.  Since the acquisition in 2005, Mark has been Region General Sales Manager for both the Ohio Region, as well as the newly formed Southeast Region.