8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 30, 2012

NORTHWEST PIPE COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

OREGON	0-27140	93-0557988
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

5721 SE Columbia Way, Suite 200

Vancouver, WA 98661

(360) 397-6250

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including

area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02.	DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS
	On November 30, 2012, the Board of Directors of Northwest Pipe Company (the “Company”) elected Scott Montross, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer, effective as of January 1, 2013. Effective on the same date, Richard Roman, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, will become Executive Chairman of the Board.
	Mr. Montross, 47, joined Northwest Pipe in May 2011 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Previously he served as Executive Vice President, Flat Products Group of Evraz, Inc. NA, a specialty and commodity steel manufacturer, from March 2010 through April 2011. Mr. Montross served as Vice President, General Manager, Evraz Oregon Steel from February 2007 through February 2010. Prior to that Mr. Montross served as Vice President of Sales at Oregon Steel Mills, Inc. from June 2003 through February 2007.
	A copy of the Company’s press release issued December 3, 2012 announcing Mr. Montross’ election as President and Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Roman’s election as Executive Chairman is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(d)	Exhibits
	The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:

    99.1 Press Release dated December 3, 2012

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized on December 5, 2012.

NORTHWEST PIPE COMPANY
(Registrant)
By	/s/    ROBIN GANTT
	Robin Gantt,
	Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

December 3, 2012

NORTHWEST PIPE COMPANY

ELEVATES MONTROSS TO CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Vancouver, WA, December 3, 2012. Northwest Pipe Company (NASDAQ: NWPX), a leading manufacturer of welded steel pipe for the water transmission and energy infrastructure markets, today announces Scott Montross will become President and Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2013 as part of a planned transition. Current President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard Roman, will assume the role of Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Roman has been President and CEO since 2010 and a director of the Company since 2003. William Tagmyer, who has been Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1986, will become Chairman of the Executive Committee.

Scott Montross joined Northwest Pipe in May 2011 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Previously he served as Executive Vice President, Flat Products Group of Evraz, Inc. NA, a specialty and commodity steel manufacturer, from March 2010 through April 2011. Mr. Montross served as Vice President, General Manager, Evraz Oregon Steel from February 2007 through February 2010. Prior to that Mr. Montross served as Vice President of Sales at Oregon Steel Mills, Inc. from June 2003 through February 2007.

“Scott Montross is a terrific candidate to take on the CEO role,” said Rich Roman. “His experience, operational skills and leadership capabilities will enable him to excel in this role. I look forward to working with Scott, Bill Tagmyer, who has provided extraordinary leadership to this company over three decades and the entire management team as we continue to grow Northwest Pipe Company.”

About Northwest Pipe Company

Northwest Pipe Company manufactures welded steel pipe and other products in two business groups. Its Water Transmission Group is the leading supplier of large diameter, high-pressure steel pipe products that are used primarily for water infrastructure in North America. Its Tubular Products Group manufactures smaller diameter steel pipe for a wide range of products including energy, construction, agriculture and industrial systems. The Company is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington and has nine manufacturing facilities across the United States and Mexico.

CONTACT:	Robin Gantt, Chief Financial Officer
	360-397-6250