Employee Spotlight: Matt Racer

Longtime readers might remember Matt Racer from his 2021 spotlight, back when he was working in sales at our Madison store. A lot has changed since then! Matt moved from Sales Manager in Madison to Store Manager in Crozet, and today he runs our Lake Anna branch. Along the way, he’s taken on more responsibility for training, delegating, decision-making, and the everyday situations that come with running a store. But he hasn’t stepped away from the counter. “I’m still really involved in contractor sales,” he says.

Three Stores, One Cardinal

Working at Madison, Crozet and Lake Anna has given Matt a view of Cardinal that few people get. “Every location is a little different but at the same time similar,” he says. “It’s been a blessing because I have gotten to know a lot of people in the company because of the location changes.” What he values most from each stop are the employees, customers, and friends he’s made along the way.

What’s New at Lake Anna

If you haven’t been by Lake Anna lately, you’ll notice a difference, starting with product selection. The team has expanded inventory to fill gaps for contractors and homeowners, and now keeps these in stock:

• 20′ Simpson hangers
• Wolf PVC decking
• Boral TruExterior trim
• Versatex PVC trim
• Interior moldings and trim
• Critical Structure treated lumber
• Screeneze
• Black aluminum ADI railing

“We have had the basics for a while, and as of late it feels like we have filled out the everyday needs of our contractors,” Matt says. For deck and dock projects especially, having these products on hand makes building or remodeling a lot easier. The store also has samples from Marvin Windows, Trex, TimberTech, Wolf and Fiberon, so customers can see their options in person.

With the equipment side of the Lake Anna operation moving to K&M, Matt says Cardinal’s focus hasn’t changed one bit. “We have and always will remain focused on our customer,” he says. The transition opens the door to even more building supplies and products, and Cardinal and K&M have been communicating closely to make sure customers have what they need.

Next on Matt’s list is getting dry storage space at Lake Anna. That will let the store carry a deeper selection and larger quantities in stock.

Saturday Hours Update

Starting in October, our Lake Anna store will close at noon on Saturdays. If you’ve got a weekend project on the calendar, stop in early Saturday morning or swing by during the week, and Matt and the team will make sure you have everything you need.

Still Loving the Process

In 2021, Matt told us how much he enjoyed working with architects, contractors, and homeowners and watching a project come together from start to finish. Now that he’s a manager, that hasn’t changed. “Absolutely, this is and always will be one of my favorite things about the job,” he says. “I love being involved with this process and feel like we at Cardinal really do a great job of being an asset to our contractors and homeowners.”

His love of building goes back to his early years working for his uncle, a contractor. The passion stuck, though Matt does appreciate one perk of his current role: “I don’t have to be on a roof in July or in a crawlspace in January.” What keeps him at Cardinal is the people. “The people I work with and work for are great folks,” he says, and he’s built friendships at every location.

Off the Clock

Here’s something you might not know: Matt has a business degree from Ferrum College, where he also walked on to the baseball team. Today he passes that love of the game along as a baseball coach. Outside of work, you’ll find him spending time with his wife, kids, family, and friends, going to church, deer hunting, trout fishing, and cheering on Washington football.

Thanks, Matt, for all you do for our Lake Anna customers!