KIMAL FAMILY SPOTLIGHT
Our employees are our greatest asset!
Get to know members of the Kimal Family, where monthly interviews are posted.

CHRIS MILKO
REGIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGER
KIMAL EMPLOYEE FOR 11 YEARS

JUNE
How does it feel to be at Kimal Lumber for 11 years? Wow, 11 years….
It’s flown by…….
Where did you grow up? Go to school? If not a Florida native, what brought you here?
I was born in Maryland, then our family moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and I was only seven years old when we moved to Florida. I went to school at Venice Elementary, Venice Jr. High, and Venice High School.
This is just for fun, but this is called “The First Four”:
- What is the first music album you purchased or received? Scorpions, “Love at First Sting”
- What is the first concert you attended? At Busch Gardens, Red Rider
- What is the first car you owned? A 1979 Mustang
- What is the first job you had? A busboy at Venice Yacht Club
What jobs at Kimal did you hold before becoming the Regional Operations Manager?
I started out at Kimal as the lumberyard Operations and Safety Manager at the Nokomis branch, then as the Branch Manager of the Sarasota location, and in 2022 went back to Nokomis as the Branch Manager there. About two years ago, I was promoted to Regional Operations Manager.
What’s your favorite part of your Regional Operations Manager role?
My favorite part is how I get to see and work with all associates at all our Kimal branches, pretty much on a daily basis, and having the opportunity to promote and improve teamwork, the Kimal culture, and excellent customer service
What’s the most “memorable” experience you’ve had while at work here? (Amazing story?)
After hurricane Ian, which ended up wreaking havoc and damage to all our locations from Englewood up to Venice, I was so amazed how everyone came into the work the day after and just started working so hard to clean up, repair, mend siding and fences, and try to get back to normal as soon as possible. Their automatic “call to arms” and getting to work so soon after a hurricane was a testament to how resilient and dedicated our employees are, to Kimal and their colleagues and families.
Would you like to comment on why you’ve stayed with Kimal for 11 years, and counting?
I like the family environment….
What about how you like to spend your leisure time?
My hobbies are fishing, shooting, and working on my house.