Three decades of driving excellence: Meet David Dailey

For more than three decades, David Dailey, group manager, has helped shape JELD-WEN’s operations, culture and continuous improvement mindset across multiple locations. His career is a testament to dedication, hands-on leadership and a deep belief in the power of people.

A journey that started in Sunbury, Pennsylvania

David joined JELD-WEN on March 1, 1993, at what was then the Young Door Company facility in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, just as the location transitioned to the Doorcraft brand. Starting as an hourly team member, he took on a wide range of roles including cart stocking, skin grading, line support, press operation and door repair.

“I learned so much from so many people,” he reflects. “Every job came with new opportunities.”

In 2001, David stepped into leadership as a Group Manager, an important career milestone. While transitioning from peer to supervisor brought early challenges, he quickly earned his team’s trust and found purpose in supporting others' success. “I enjoyed working directly with the team, and I still do today.”

When JELD-WEN optimized its operations and Sunbury closed, David embraced the opportunity to join the new state-of-the-art Pottsville, Pennsylvania, facility. There, he played a central role in designing and building an automated doorbuilding system. Pottsville now runs two of these advanced lines, an innovation David helped bring to life. He and the project team were later awarded a patent for their work, a career highlight he takes great pride in.

Leading through transformation in Kissimmee, Florida

In 2016, David took on a new challenge, this time in a warmer climate. After a short visit years earlier to assist during a transitional period, he returned to the Kissimmee, Florida, facility to join the leadership team as group manager.

A leadership lesson that stuck

One special moment from early in his management career continues to shape the way David leads. In 2001, during a training session in Oregon, he had the opportunity to meet JELD-WEN founder Dick Wendt.

“He sat with us at lunch, just a flannel shirt and denim jeans. No fanfare. He talked to us like an old friend. When he left, he got into his old Jeep and drove off. I remember thinking, ‘There goes a man who could be anywhere he wants to be, yet he chose to spend his time with us.’”

David says it’s a lesson he truly lives by, always reminding himself to “give people your time. It’s very valuable.”