Central States names Dan Pratt vice president of sales – manufacturing

Central States has promoted Dan Pratt to the role of vice president of sales – manufacturing.

Dan brings nearly two decades of leadership experience to the role, including a distinguished military career, and years improving quality, operations and sales processes for industrial and B2B companies, including Tandemloc, Inc. and Central States. 

Dan joined Central States in 2019 as the managing director for the East Division, with regional oversight over both operations and sales activity in the entire division. Since that time, Dan’s exceptional leadership, strategic insight and a deep commitment to Central States’ customers and employee owners earned him a promotion to managing director for the North Division in 2024 and now VP of sales for the entire manufacturing business unit of Central States. 

Over the past five years, Dan has successfully led operations and sales across some of Central States’ largest regions, driving growth and building strong teams. 

“Dan’s promotion reflects the impact he’s made across our organization,” said Doug Watts, president of Central States Manufacturing. “His ability to lead with vision and integrity makes him the ideal person to guide our manufacturing sales into the future.” 

In his new role as VP of sales – manufacturing, the Marine Corps veteran will lead the company’s manufacturing sales strategy and sales teams across the country. He will focus on strengthening key customer relationships, continuing to emphasize customer service, sales training and enablement, while driving top-line results and delivering long-term value to customers. 

About Central States 

Central States, Inc. (www.centralstatesco.com) is 100% employee-owned and was founded in 1988. With more than 1,300 employee-owners and 12 manufacturing facilities in 2025, the company serves more than 6,000 commercial, architectural, post-frame and residential contractors and distributors across the United States across three business operating units. Central States Manufacturing is a leading manufacturer of metal building components with 17 metal roofing and wall panel profiles and a full line of trim, accessories and structural purlin. Two new factories are set to open in 2025, including a frame and structural steel plant for Central States Building Works, a business unit that provides material-only building packages for self-storage and pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMB). In 2023, Central States acquired Elevate Structures (formerly Storage Structures, Inc.), a construction leader in midrise multi-story buildings, offering the proprietary Alpha Framing System™.