Author: Scott Fleetwood, West Regional Sales Manager, LBM

Like many in this industry, my path into lumber and building materials was not as straightforward as you might expect. In fact, I initially had no plans to join the family business at all.

I started my career with Walmart, where I worked my way into management. It was a fast-paced, high-demand environment that required moving frequently, sometimes every six months. While that experience shaped my work ethic and leadership style, the constant relocation eventually took a toll on my family life. It became clear that something had to change.

That decision led me back home and back into the family business.

As a fourth-generation member of a lumber and hardware operation, I had grown up around the industry. Like many kids in family businesses, I spent time in the store, learning pieces of it along the way. But at that stage in life, I did not fully understand what the business really meant or how deeply I would eventually connect with it.

Choosing to return was one of the best decisions our family ever made.

Once you step fully into this industry, it gets in your blood. That is not just a saying; it is the truth. I quickly realized that this business is about far more than products and transactions. It is about people, relationships, and being a trusted part of the communities you serve. Over time, those connections become one of the most meaningful and rewarding aspects of the job.

I found myself falling in love with the work, the customers, and the relationships we built every single day.

After 28 years, in 2019, I had another pivotal moment in my career when I sold my business. That transition opened the door for me to join the corporate side of the industry, where I accepted a position with True Value. I began working within the lumber department and eventually stepped into a leadership role managing that department.

Moving from store ownership to the corporate level gave me a completely new perspective. It allowed me to take the hands on experience I had gained at the store level and apply it to broader strategies and initiatives. At the same time, I never lost sight of what it is like to stand in a store owner’s shoes, something that continues to guide my approach today.

When Do it Best acquired True Value, it marked another significant turning point not just for the organization, but for me personally. From day one, I felt welcomed into the Do it Best team. What stood out immediately was the culture.

The values were not just words. They were evident in how people worked together, supported each other, and focused on doing what is right for members. I was also immediately impressed by the scale and strength of the Do it Best lumber department. The depth of knowledge, experience, and commitment within the team was clear.

In that moment, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

For me, it was the best possible outcome not only for True Value and its stores, but for my own career. It provided the opportunity to be part of something larger while still staying deeply connected to the independent dealers and communities that define this industry.

Today, I have the privilege of working with an industry-leading team that brings together a wide range of experiences and perspectives. Collaboration is at the core of what we do. Each member of the team contributes unique insights, and together we turn those ideas into solutions that help our stores succeed.

From corporate leadership to Regional Sales Manager, West Coast for the LBM Division of Do It Best, my journey has given me a strong understanding of what our members face every day. I know firsthand the challenges of running a business, managing inventory, serving customers, and building a team. That perspective allows me to advocate for our stores and offer ideas that are rooted in real-world experience.

It also reinforces something I have always believed and continue to share: anyone can be a vendor, but not everyone can be a partner. We here at Do It Best Group are a partner.

At the end of the day, what makes this role so fulfilling is not just the work itself, but the people. It is the relationships we build, the challenges we overcome together, and the shared commitment to making each other better.

There is something special about being part of a team like the Do it Best lumber division.

And there is something even more meaningful about waking up every day excited to get to work.