STARTETI BY TIATURE

FIIII$HETI BY BOITYGUARTI'

f, fter 35 years at Truckee-Tahoe lA,Lumber, Truckee, Ca.. Breeze

Cross was ready for a change. In late January, he turned daily operations over to the company's management team and moved to chairman of the board. Now he's looking fbrward to helping the 75-year-old family company succeed into the fourth generation-and beyond.

"Business was no longer as stimulating for me, but now I'm excited by the transition," he said. "If I was still in charge, it would be more difficult to let go of the company and let my two sons and nephew take over."

Before that happens, all three must complete a transition plan that was developed with the help of the board of directors, a consulting firm that specializes in family business matters, and top management. During the transition. Tony Reid will serve as president and chief financial officer.

"The concept made a lot of sense to me," said Breeze. "It's much easier to let responsibility shift from the management team to the boys."

The first to come onboard is his younger son, Andrew Cross,27, who has already completed the first two requirements of the transition plan: a college degree (B.S.-civil engineering) and three years of outside work experience (civil engineer for an engineering firm in Reno) To complete his education. Andrew has also committed to earning an MBA degree.

Although he is looking forward to continuing the legacy of TruckeeTahoe Lumber, Andrew said he is glad he worked elsewhere first. "Family business is more intense, more of a way of life, doing what's best for the business," he said.

Andrew's on-the-job training began in late February. For the next three years he will work side by side with every employee, learning the business from the ground up. After he completes training at the main yard in Truckee, he'll move to the Tahoe City yard, the doorshop and warehouse in Sparks, Nv., and Home Concepts in Truckee, which is run by his mother, Ruth Cross.

Once this phase is completed and approved by the management team and board of directors. Andrew will move into a two-year, managementtraining program before becoming president of the company. "It's hard to manage something you don't understand," said Breeze.

Along the way, Andrew must also become active in community- and industry-related organizations. In March. he attended his first LACN Owners and Key Managers conference and is joining its under-40 group, 2nd Growth. As a new member of the Rotary Club of Truckee, he will volunteer for service projects, fundraisers, and special events.

Older son lra,29, and nephew

(Please turn to page 40)

; A chain is only as strong as its wcakest link, and ;t homc is only as strring as its strlicturc. The LP SolidStart farnily of products lets you fecl confident ir, the stretrgth of your home.

LP SolidStart ploclucts include :r full r'ange of'I-Joists, LVL, Rim Board anci the LP Floor System. These straighter, stronger proclucts ilre morc consistcnt than traditional lumbcr and provicle homes rvith ;r solid beginning. And the iilctime limited w;rrranty assures that LP homes st;rlt strong zrnd stav strclng.

That's u.h;rt rve do. We makcthe pnrdncts that build thc homes, simply better.