Jim Leavitt Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

The South Dakota Retail Lumberman’s Association recognized its lifetime achievement award winners at their annual convention held in Sioux Falls on February 12^th.  The honored 2020 achievement award winners included Jim Leavitt of Marcus Lumber Company in Marcus.

The Lifetime Achievement award is the Association’s recognition of those very select individuals who have worked in the industry for 40 years in full time employment. Award winners must be nominated by an industry peer and are selected by the South Dakota Lumberman’s Board of Directors. Started in 1993, the award was something the board created in order to recognize those special people who have shown such strong dedication and commitment to the building material industry throughout their careers.

Jim Leavitt started in the building material industry as many do, working throughout his high school years. After graduating college with a Construction Engineering degree from Iowa State University, Jim decided to pursue a full-time career at Marcus Lumber. With a firm education in building construction, Jim was able to grow the residential sales within the company in particular, the kitchen and bath fields. Jim is a 3^rd generation owner of the family business and his 40^th year also marks the company’s 100^th year in business.

Upon giving the honor, Jim Albers of the Tri-State Lumber Association said, “Jim’s conservative yet progressive minded outlook has grown the business into something that has proved to be an anchor in the local community and surrounding areas.” Jim is a second-generation recipient of the lifetime achievement award, following his late father John Leavitt. Jim has contributed to building projects throughout Northwest Iowa. He enjoys traveling, the outdoors and spending time with his grandkids.  

The South Dakota Retail Lumberman’s Association was founded in 1919 and is an active industry group with retail members in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska.