Central States CEO Jim Sliker to transition from role, Kurt Weaver named successor
Jim Sliker, CEO of Tontitown-based manufacturing company Central States Inc., will transition to company chairman, and Kurt Weaver will become its CEO, effective June 1. Central States said Tuesday (April 14) that the appointment comes after a nationwide search.
Sliker has served as CEO since 2013, joining the company after a 20-year career in the automotive industry. Weaver has more than 30 years of experience in the automotive and flooring sectors. In his most recent role as president of Mohawk Industries’ Resilient Flooring division, he grew the business to more than $1 billion in annual revenue by focusing on product development, market expansion and operational efficiency.
The 100% employee-owned company has more than 1,300 employees and 13 manufacturing plants across the United States.
Sliker will work with Weaver throughout 2026 to ensure a smooth transition. Weaver, who will work at the company’s headquarters, will serve as CEO of the enterprise business, including Central States Manufacturing, Central States Building Works, and Elevate Structures. More than two years ago, Sliker was elected chairman of the board for Central States, and Weaver’s appointment as CEO will allow Sliker to transition into his position leading the board of directors.
“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.”
In his previous roles at Toyoda Gosei, a multibillion-dollar subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp., Weaver served in leadership positions in sales, engineering and administration before being named president of Toyoda’s truck business. Under his leadership, the business grew revenue and earnings, and Weaver focused on quality and innovation. He has also served in sales and engineering roles for Ruecker Engineering and American Sunroof.
According to a news release, Weaver is known for his ability to “rally his teams around a shared vision and consistently seeking opportunities to fix and enhance processes. He has earned the reputation in business of leading with humility, teamwork and genuine care for people, while fostering a high-energy environment that actively pursues continuous improvement.”
Weaver earned a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Michigan State University.
“I am excited to join the team at Central States — recognizing the alignment of the company culture with my team-based leadership style made the decision to join the company easy,” Weaver said. “That decision was further supported by meeting a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic team. I’m also looking forward to moving to the area and enjoying all the outdoor activities Arkansas has to offer. I would like to thank Jim and the Central States board of directors for making the rigorous recruitment process valuable for everyone.”
Under Sliker’s leadership as CEO, Central States entered a period of unprecedented growth, including the opening of new manufacturing plants in South Dakota, Kentucky, Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, South Carolina and Utah. Central States also expanded its Pre-Engineered Metal Building offering with the opening of a new metal frame plant in Springdale, and added construction capabilities and the patented Alpha Framing System through the acquisition of longtime customer Storage Structures, which was later rebranded to Elevate Structures.
As chairman, Sliker will continue to provide leadership to the seven-member board to ensure effective governance, strategic oversight, and accountability of the executive leadership, in collaboration with the third-party trustee, who represents the interests of the company’s employees. Sliker will continue to reside in Northwest Arkansas.
“Serving as CEO has been a blessing and the highlight of my career,” Sliker said. “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.”
