National Power Rankings
Power100 wants to congratulate the top 100 listed below
Derek
Thexton
Southern Industries Home Improvement
Salutes, Derek! You're 1 Of The Nation's BEST!
About Derek
Derek Thexton, President & CEO of Southern Industries Home Improvements, ranks as Power100’s #67 CEO in the country. When founder Jim Felton decided to transition leadership of the Augusta, Georgia company he built from scratch in 1967, a private equity firm from Florida was at the table—but the deal fell through. Instead, Felton chose to entrust his 58-year legacy to the people who helped build it: Derek Thexton with 14 years of experience, Ed Felton with 35 years, and Fran Felton-Hickman with 29 years. Under Thexton’s “One Southern” leadership philosophy, the company has continued its remarkable trajectory, completing over 350,000 jobs for 240,000+ customers across 13 Southeast markets.
Derek Thexton’s leadership strength lies in his commitment to continuous growth—both personal and organizational. Working with executive coach Jeff Foley for several years, Thexton transformed into what he describes as “a far more effective coach, organizer, critical thinker and overall leader.” His teachings were incorporated at all levels throughout Southern Industries, creating a unified leadership culture that drives “unprecedented growth and performance as a respected industry leader.” This people-first approach extends to the company’s core values—Respect, Integrity, Caring, Excellence, and Success (RICE)—which permeate every customer interaction and employee relationship. Thexton’s “One Southern” vision has united 18+ companies under a cohesive brand that treats customers to a “red carpet experience” from first contact to project completion.
Southern Industries Home Improvements stands as one of the Southeast’s largest and most respected home improvement operations, with an estimated $101M-$500M in annual revenue and 201-500 employees. The company completes 8,500+ jobs annually across 13 markets spanning Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and North Carolina—including Augusta, Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston, Charlotte, Greenville, Birmingham, Huntsville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Columbia, and Myrtle Beach. The BBB A+ rating and 36-year accreditation (since 1989) underscore the company’s commitment to ethical business practices, while 4.5-star reviews across 1,335+ customer ratings demonstrate consistent service excellence. Perhaps the most telling metric: approximately 50% of customers return for additional work—extraordinary for an industry where products like siding, roofing, and sunrooms are typically one-time purchases. Beyond business success, Thexton leads extensive community involvement including support for the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Golden Harvest Food Bank, Toys for Tots, Children’s Hospital of Georgia, and the Hale House addiction recovery program—where Southern Industries provides both donations and second-chance employment opportunities.
In Their Words
I couldn't be happier with the service I received from Expo Home Improvement, specifically from Paul Dietzler himself. He guided me through the entire process of replacing my windows and doors with utmost professionalism. Paul's attention to detail and commitment to quality were truly impressive. The end result exceeded my expectations, and I would highly recommend Expo Home Improvement to anyone looking for top-notch window and door remodeling.
Paul Dietzler and his team at Expo Home Improvement are exceptional when it comes to windows and doors. From the initial consultation to the final installation, Paul was involved every step of the way, ensuring that my needs were met. The craftsmanship and attention to detail exhibited by his team were outstanding. I am extremely pleased with the outcome of my home remodeling project and would not hesitate to recommend Expo Home Improvement to friends and family.
The
Company
In 1967, Augusta, Georgia native Jim Felton formed his first company in the Southeast, bringing a variety of new products aimed at easing and reducing the cost of traditional home remodeling. Because his earliest—and continuing—commitment was to quality and value, he soon expanded. Within a few years, he had grown from those first few-dozen customers to thousands annually.
It’s been over 58 years since Jim Felton first began knocking on the doors of homeowners in the Southeast. In those 58+ years, his companies have proved themselves again and again. The company’s motto says it best: “We build relationships that last a lifetime.”
Southern Industries Home Improvements is the parent company for a family of 18+ companies serving the Southeast with home improvement services. Together, these companies have completed over 350,000 jobs for over 240,000 households. Remarkably, about half of all customers come back for additional work—a notable achievement considering many products like sunrooms, whole-house siding, decks, and roofs are essentially one-time purchases.
The company takes pride in providing the best collection of quality home improvement products in the Southeast. Product lines include replacement windows, walk-in showers, walk-in baths, vinyl siding, roofs, gutters, gutter guard systems, patio covers, sunrooms, screen rooms, carports, decks, kitchen cabinet refacing, and attic insulation. All products are manufactured in the USA, and many are custom-made to fit individual situations. The company stands behind all products and services, offering lifetime warranties on many installed products.
In 2022, founder Jim Felton turned leadership of the company over to his son Ed Felton (Vice President of Operations for Southern Wholesale with 35 years’ experience), his niece Fran Felton (Corporate Manager with 29 years’ experience), and President Derek Thexton (with 14 years working for Mr. Felton). The new leadership’s goal has been a “One Southern” approach to make the client and employee experience as best as possible.
Southern Industries Home Improvements’ vision is “to be the most respected home improvement company known for its integrity, people, and dedication to providing an exceptional home improvement experience.” They continue to grow by providing siding, windows, gutters, and baths to homeowners of the Southeast while building relationships that last a lifetime.