Central States named Kurt Weaver incoming CEO following an extensive, two-year national search to replace current company leader Jim Sliker. Sliker was elected chairman of the board of directors two years ago, but has not been able to fully transition into the role, until now. 

Kurt Weaver will lead the entire enterprise business, including Central States Manufacturing, Central States Building Works, and Elevate Structures. He joins Central States with more than 30 years of experience in the automotive and flooring sectors, bringing with him a foundation in operational excellence, officials said in a release. 

“Following a comprehensive and rigorous search process, the board is confident that Kurt is the right leader to guide Central States into its next phase of growth,” said Christopher Harrison, lead director on the Central States board. “His track record of scaling businesses, operational depth, and alignment with our values make him a strong fit for our employee-owned culture.”

Sliker will work closely with Weaver throughout 2026 to support his onboarding and ensure a smooth transition. Weaver assumes the role on June 1 at headquarters in Tontitown, Ark. 

>In his most recent role, president of Mohawk Industries’ Resilient Flooring division, Weaver successfully grew the business to more than $1 billion in annual revenue by focusing on product development, market expansion, and operational efficiency. He's expected to begin building relationships with the employee-owners, customers, and suppliers upon his arrival.

Weaver has a strong engineering and continuous improvement background, holding a Bachelor of Science degree from Ferris State University and an MBA from Michigan State University. In his previous roles at Toyoda Gosei, a multi-billion-dollar subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, Weaver held leadership positions in sales, engineering, and administration, before being named President of Toyoda’s truck business. Under his leadership, the business saw substantial growth in both the top and bottom lines. His tenure in the role was characterized by a focus on quality and innovation, as he fostered a culture of excellence within the organization.

Sliker has served as Central States CEO since 2013, joining the company after a 20-year career in the automotive industry. Under Sliker’s leadership, Central States entered a period of unprecedented growth, including new manufacturing plant openings in South Dakota, Kentucky, Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, South Carolina, and Utah. During this period, Central States also expanded its Pre-Engineered Metal Building (PEMB) offering with the opening of a new metal frame plant in Springdale, AR, and added construction capabilities and the patented Alpha Framing System™ with the acquisition of longtime customer Storage Structures, later rebranding the company Elevate Structures.

Sliker will continue to reside in Northwest Arkansas and serve the community and business as needed while serving as chairman.

“Serving as CEO has been a blessing and the highlight of my career,” Sliker said i the release. “I am proud of what the collective Central States team has built together over the years. As I move more fully into this next chapter, I have full confidence in Kurt as our new CEO. He brings a deep background and a strong alignment with our purpose, values, and culture. I look forward to supporting him and the leadership team as we continue to innovate to better serve our customers.”