After almost four decades at the helm of the Reno Builders Exchange, Rowland Oakes is retiring. On July 1, 2005, the Reno Builders Exchange, Inc. was acquired by the Sacramento Builders' Exchange, Inc. (SBX). The former owners, Joanne and Rowland Oakes, felt that the Sacramento organization, one of the largest most progressive builders exchanges in the nation, would provide a wide range of services not presently available to Northern Nevada's construction industry.
The relationship between the two organizations began back in August 2003, when the Reno Builders Exchange contracted with SBE to make the On-Line Service available to Reno's subscribers at a minimal fee. Mr. Oakes's decision to join the Sacramento group only came after an exhaustive examination of such programs throughout the United States. Reno subscribers have overwhelming accepted the program.
The Sacramento Builders Exchange recognizes the outstanding contribution Mr. Oakes has made to the construction industry in Nevada. Under his leadership, the Reno Builders Exchange has grown to about 750 members and has provided quality services for almost 40 years.
Along with his leadership of the Reno Builders Exchange, Mr. Oakes has been registrar of the Nevada State License Board, Executive Director of the Nevada branch of Associated General Contractors and Chairman of the Construction Opportunity Trust. Mr. Oakes and his wife, Joanne, also own Oakman's, an office and architectural/engineering supply store which also provides copying, laminating and mounting services.
The Reno Builders Exchange will continue to provide its subscribers/members with the quality of information that they expect and plans to add more services in the months to come. The first change is to the format of the Reno Builder. In addition to the information presently available, the new newspaper-style format will include information on the construction industry in Nevada, news about member companies and articles on upcoming new member services for the exchange.
The Sacramento Builders' Exchange welcomes suggestions from subscribers/members of the Reno Builders Exchange on what types of services they would like to see added. If you have a suggestion, an idea or questions, please contact Jim Lambert at lambertj@sbxchange.net.