OUR TEAM
CHARLINE MULLER - President
Charline Hawthorne Muller comes from a family deeply rooted in the wood industry. Her father, Monty Hawthorne, started Conroe Creosoting Company, in 1944. Upon his death in 1952, Charline's mother, Charline Hawthorne, became a female CEO in a male dominated industry.
After graduating from the University of Texas in 1960, Charline married an Aggie, J. Fred Muller. Charline taught school,working Saturdays at the Creosoting Company, and J. Fred worked in his family's sawmill.Together they enjoyed many Southern Pressure Treater and Lumberman Association conventions.
Charline and J. Fred raised three children, Melanie, Jay and Michelle, who grew up counting fence posts and selling bark on Saturday.
After the death of her mother in 1979, Charline quit teaching French, took a Dale Carnegie Sales Course and joined her brother, Monty, as a salesman for the family business.
When Conroe Creosoting was closed in 1997, Charline asked James Lumpkin to join her in forming a woman owned company, Conroe Wood Products. When James retired in 2010, he and Charline had worked together for over 30 years.
Charline and J.Fred have been fortunate enough to travel extensively.They loved their motor home trips and tent camping.They have nine grandchildren, and try to continue the tradition of family vacations.
JAY MULLER - Vice President
Jay Muller, a long time native of Conroe began working in the family businesses at 8 and hasn't wandered too far from his roots. He attended Texas A&M and received a BBA in finance. While at A&M, he started 3 years as a defensive lineman and was an original member of the "Wrecking Crew" defense.
After gradating from A&M in 1987, Jay spent a short time in the banking industry as a credit analyst and a commercial loan officer. In 1990, he joined one of the family companies, a lumber remanufacturing plant. There he did whatever had to be done, from lumber grader to bookkeeper and sales as is often necessary in a family business. He currently oversees all of the operations of that company which manufactures specialty wood products.
In 2004, he was offered the opportunity to join Conroe Wood Products and begin working with his mom, Charline and her business partner, James. He jumped at the opportunity to cross-train and learn from 2 industry veterans with over 70 years experience between them. Although he grew up stacking fence posts, assaying charges and manning the yard store at Conroe Creosoting Company, he's enjoyed the new opportunity to become re-acquainted with the products, customers and vendors of the treated wood industry. He is a devoted family man with Becky, his wife of 23 years and their 4 kids.
JIM THRASH - Outside Sales
Jim joined the Conroe Wood Products team in December of 2009. He comes with 25 years of experience in selling building materials from both distribution wholesalers and manufacturers. Jim is a 1984 graduate of Stephen F. Austin and currently resides in Houston
