Company History
In 1955, Pat and Evy Patterson bought Central Valley Builders Supply, a business that had been in existence for two years. At that time it was one location, located in St. Helena, the center of the Napa Valley, thus the name Central Valley. It had three employees, one truck, one pick-up and one forklift.
In its early history, CV was expanding to locations in Calistoga and Lake Berryessa (both have since been closed) and was acquiring competition, such as the Bailey yards in St. Helena. By the mid sixties, CVBS was the dominant lumberyard in the Upper Napa Valley.
Pat and Evy's son, Bob, upon graduating from Whitman College and working for a few years for Montgomery Ward, came to the family business in 1967. In 1973, the leadership changed hands from Bob, Sr. to Bob, Jr. While Bob Sr. was the entrepreneur, Bob, Jr. was the builder and under his leadership the main store in St. Helena was opened in 1979, the Napa Store in 1984 and the Woodland Facility in 1991. Bob passed away unexpectedly in 1992. At that time, his wife Kathleen, who had been active in the business since 1978 became President. Under her leadership, the company weathered the longest and deepest recession in its history in the early 90s. Emerging stronger the company took advantage of the next boom and in July 2002 opened a 13 acre, with rail, distribution center in south Napa County on Green Island Road. A third generation of Pattersons, Bob and Kathleen's son, Steve, became the next President in 2003. Steve is a graduate of Pomona College and the UC Davis MBA program.
The success of the company has been due to the loyalty and caliber of its employees. While there are too many to mention in this brief history, there is one key person that must be acknowledged. Bob Jessell had been the company's liaison officer with First Interstate Bank. He came to CV in 1979 as our controller. Bob is a shareholder in the company and presently is CFO and Administrative Vice President.
With beginnings in a small town, where ones reputation is made by "doing what you say you will do", the value of being as good as our word is a key part of our company culture. We are a large company with over 250 employees and yearly revenues that put us in the top 100 independent lumber dealers in the United States, but we strive to treat our employees, customers, and suppliers with respect, dignity, and care. We strive for mutual success in all our relationships. It has been what has made us successful over the years and what we believe will continue our success.