SBCA Leadership Spotlight: Cheryl Lewis

Cheryl Lewis is an At-Large Representative of the SBCA Board of Directors. She has been involved with SBCA for three years and additionally serves on SBCA’s Advocacy Committee and Finance Committee. One of Cheryl’s greatest interests is the role SBCA plays as an advocate for the industry. She believes that the association has an opportunity to set industry standards that benefit and protect framing partners, members, and consumers. Cheryl’s goals are to engage members in local, regional, and national efforts to elevate SBCA’s mission through the Advocacy Committee, and to help legislators, regulators, and enforcers understand this industry’s products and the benefits they can bring to all parties. Thus, growing businesses and growing the influence in the national effort to solve the housing crisis.  

Bringing a unique and diverse perspective to the Board of Directors and SBCA, Cheryl possesses great experience in many different sectors. She first got involved in the industry truly by accident when she was researching investment opportunities for a family office in Reno. Amidst her search, she found a group building walls under a large tent on a construction site in an effort to speed up their project – they were using a Hornet saw in a container and a full Panels Plus wall line. Being the entrepreneur that she is, she saw the potential of this company and the solution it could provide for affordable and accessible housing. This led to the formation of NVO Construction, supported by investors and Cheryl at the helm. Without prior experience in the business, Cheryl needed to learn the business quickly. 

“Joining SBCA was the single best decision I have made in my quest to not only learn the business, but to grow a thriving component business during volatile times for our industry,” says Cheryl. “SBCA offers so many avenues for learning and keeping abreast of issues, from OQMs, BCMC, and Board Meetings to newsletters, educational tools, and jobsite packages; SBCA is truly invaluable to every component builder and is indispensable.”  

After only three years in business, NVO was acquired by a local lumber company that saw the benefits of being able to provide its long-time framing customers with the complete lumber package. “SBCA was a critical partner in our success,” says Cheryl. “There was no question that our acquirer, Truckee-Tahoe Lumber Company, values the SBCA relationship and we will continue to be an active member.” 

Cheryl earned her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Salem College and her JD from Washington & Lee University School of Law. Cheryl also holds an Executive Certificate in Global Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability from Thunderbird School of International Management. Additionally, she has been recognized as Small Business Leader of the Year and the Nevada Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Startup of the Year. Formerly, she was a practicing CPA and lawyer, a lobbyist, public relations specialist, and an investment analyst. Currently, Cheryl is the Chief Operating Officer of Truckee-Tahoe Lumber Company – Truss & Component Division, where she focuses on strategic planning and vision for the component division and the company. In addition to her leadership roles in SBCA, she also serves on the Board of the Cordillera International Film Festival and the Board of the Truckee Meadows Community College Foundation. With many achievements throughout her career, Cheryl is proud of the NVO team she led and how they were able to successfully build their business despite many challenges.  

Beyond work and SBCA, Cheryl enjoys playing golf, gardening, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She can be reached at info@sbcacomponents.com.