It was early 1964 when Jack Reviglio and Bill Higgins officially opened the first Western Nevada Supply storefront in Sparks. From a modest beginning as a wholesale plumbing house operated out of a rented 1,200 square-foot warehouse, the business has since expanded to serve contractors and builders in two states out of a 20-acre, 40,000 square-foot facility and branches in Elko, Carson City, and Winnemucca, Nev., and South LakeTahoe, Bishop, Susanville and Truckee, Calif. Today, a second generation of Reviglios run the family business and while Western Nevada Supply’s footprint has changed over the years, one thing has always remained true — the team is the heart of the business. Affectionately known as the “Blue Team,” the company’s team-centered culture has led five longtime employees to be inducted into the “40 Year Club.” Barney Arneson, Dennis Bush, Greg Higgins, Robert Sundstrom and Rick Tucker have all been on the Blue Team for 40 years or more. “When you work at Western Nevada Supply, you are a part of our family for life,” said Rick Reviglio, president and general manager of Western Nevada Supply. “This group of five men perfectly embody the spirit of our company and have left a lasting legacy on every facet of the Blue Team.” Western Nevada Supply has been a part of Greg Higgins life for as long as he can remember. His dad, Bill Higgins started the company with Jack Reviglio and for the last 48 years he has worked in just about every role at Western Nevada Supply and is currently the Water Works division manager. In keeping with the Western Nevada Supply motto “Customer First,” Higgins works tirelessly to ensure that every order is taken care of in the customer’s best interest.
Courtesy Western Nevada Supply
Rick Tucker began his time with Western Nevada Supply working construction on the expansion of the warehouse. He then moved over to Commercial Shipping and Credits, which then progressed to out of town delivery, and ultimately ended up in sales with the Water Works division. After 44 years with Western Nevada Supply, Tucker plans to retire in 2021. Robert Sundstrom started his more than 40-year career with Western Nevada Supply in 1976 sweeping the yard and helping to unload trucks. In 1977 Sundstrom moved into a full-time career with Western Nevada Supply, starting right after school every day as a delivery driver. Sundstrom has worked on the counter, in will-call, Pricing, and unloading and loading trucks. He managed both the Delivery Department and the Tool Department, eventually moving into the Purchasing Department where he has been for more than 30 years. For Sundstrom, there is no other way than the “Blue Way’’ and the “Blue Team” will always be his home. Dennis Bush started with Western Nevada Supply in 1980 and has been with the team for a total of 41 years. Bush has worked as the shipping assistant manager, pricing clerk, in both inside and outside sales roles, as a floor sweeper, on the receiving dock and eventually as the Plumbing Division sales manager in 1998. For Bush, “teamwork at the Blue Team is a can-do culture where a group of people come together to achieve one common goal — take care of the customer.”
Courtesy Western Nevada Supply
Barney Arneson began his Western Nevada Supply career in the Water Works division in 1981. Many of his first years at Western Nevada Supply included sweeping under the racks, working on fire hydrants and pulling orders. In 1984 Arneson took over the management of the out-of-town delivery runs. He was part of the first Western Nevada Supply job vans and Water Works “pull and holds.” In 1988 he started in Water Works estimating and was on the team that initiated the prefab work the company continues to use today. In 1993 Arneson started selling water meters and has developed those sales into close personal relationships and partnerships with many long-standing customers.
He also worked with the team to create a Water Works training DVD which is still widely used today. Arneson is on the Nevada Rural Water Association Board of Directors and has served as an Associate Board Member for many years.
This article was provided and paid for by Western Nevada Supply. For more information on Western Nevada Supply, visit goblueteam.com.
Courtesy Western Nevada Supply
Courtesy Western Nevada Supply