Bob Vaughan

#4920 | Member since 1984
San Antonio, Texas | 16 locations

As CEO of Alamo Lumber Company, Bob has always enjoyed helping families grow and establish their roots through home building and construction. And it’s why he loves owning his own home improvement business. “I’m fascinated with the homebuilding process and seeing it come to fruition,” Bob says. “It’s a joy to see people’s dreams realized through a new or improved home, and we ensure they have an outstanding experience bringing that dream to life.” 

The multi-store operation began when Bob’s great-grandfather sold lumber direct from sawmills. Bob represents the fourth generation to guide the business forward into new markets. Under his leadership, the company has grown to 14 locations across Southern Texas. In addition to lumber and building materials, Alamo Lumber keeps a core assortment of products in a variety of categories so customers don’t have to leave town to get what they need. He says, “Towns in this part of Texas are far apart, and we cover a wide territory. We match assortments to the needs of our rural communities to save our customers an hour or more drive into the big city.” 

One of his most popular categories is fencing. “We build fences by the mile down here. People come to us to help keep their homes and ranches in good working order. “The diverse communities we serve are close-knit, with strong Mexican-American and Eastern European influences,” Bob says. “I enjoy seeing all the histories of these communities represented in our customers today.” Supported by over 200 dedicated employees, Alamo Lumber Company is committed to serving them, and Bob has created a tight-knit culture that treats customers like family. 

“I appreciate the legacy that each generation of my family has created, and I look forward to continuing it into the next. Bob also appreciates everything Do it Best has done for his business over the years. “They’ve been instrumental in the success of our company and I want to contribute and give back any way I can,” he says. “I enjoy working with other member-owners to build a consensus that benefits everyone. Together, the board works as a team to provide the best course for the entire co-op.”

At a glance 

Area: Texas
Store type: Home centers
Market: Rural
Core categories: Farm & ranch, hardware, lawn and garden, LBM, paint, plumbing, electrical
Best advice: Listen more, talk less
Favorite activity outside of work: Woodworking