06/24/2026
Roland Bourassa started with Coventry Lumber on June 24, 1996. Today will mark 30 years with us.
Roland has had a long career with Finetco and Coventry Lumber. Roland currently works part-time as an Advisor to Finetco Corporate providing reporting directly to the company’s owner, Bill Finnegan, a role Roland has enjoyed for about the past year and a half.
Up until 2024, Roland was the Inventory Control Manager for Finetco Corporate, a role that includes all of our locations and the corporate office. When asked why Roland joined our team he said that, “…in 1996, I was out of work after Somerville Lumber closed, and Bobby Carlson, who was working at Coventry Lumber, called me and told me I should apply at Coventry Lumber. Bobby put in a good word for me. I came in and interviewed with Mike Durand (owner and founder of Coventry Lumber) and Paul Gagne. Mike Durand hired me on the spot that day. Mike knew I had a family and a mortgage and needed a job and he hired me.”.
Before coming to Coventry Lumber, Roland worked at a few different local places including Hills Home Center and Brooks Drugs. You see, after graduating West Warwick High School, Roland hit the ground running and working hard before making his way to us.
When Roland started at Coventry Lumber he was at the Sales Counter for 3-4 years. Then, as the company grew to an extent that we needed someone handling purchasing for the store, Roland moved into purchasing for Coventry Lumber on the hardware side. Eventually, Roland would also handle lumber purchasing as well, and then inventory control was added to his list of hats to wear too.
When asked why Roland has stayed at Coventry Lumber and now Finetco for 30 years, he had this to say, “The people in the lumber industry and our customers. They are just good people.” Roland went on to talk about the relationships between the Finetco team and customers, mentioning that the relationships with especially long time customers, run deep with the Finetco team and customers who often going fishing together or spend time together outside of work
When asked what the best thing about working at Finetco is, Roland said, “The relationship not only with our customers, but also with the employees.” Roland went on to say that also includes management and said, “I can go to Bill (owner of Finetco) with anything - good or bad”. Roland offered this as well, “It’s the whole experience working in the lumberyard industry. Even our suppliers - its top to bottom - it is a relationship type of business”.
Roland also shared that the conversations with customers, suppliers and even his team all make the days go by quicker.
When we asked Roland what advise or thoughts he would share with younger people coming in to the business, he offered this, “think about where you want to be in life and have a plan. Then learn and advance. This company will help you grow. It is a young team and the company is growing.”
Roland will retire from Finetco on August 28th, 2026. We asked him to look back on his career with us and he shared this, “It’s been fulfilling and overall, it’s been fun. I enjoyed most every minute of it.” Roland also shared that he has never worked so hard and had so much fun.
When we asked Roland how he will spend his time in retirement, he simply said he will spend time with his grandchildren and his family and looks forward to the role of “taxi cab driver” to his grandchildren.
Thank you & Congratulations Roland for 30 years at Finetco and Coventry Lumber! We are happy you are still on our team and we wish you an amazing retirement come August 28th!
