The Team

Chris R. Stephens, founder and CEO of 5B Investments, Inc., started 5B Investments in October of 1989 as a small investment and development firm. Today it is a privately held corporation holding interests in commercial, industrial, self-storage, and restaurant projects throughout the U.S and Canada, exceeding revenues of $100 million.

A multi-faceted professional, Chris has been a licensed architect and contractor for more than 30 years, holds an Airline Transport Pilot’s license with jet type ratings and is a licensed Paramedic. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture, Highest Honors, and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Highest Honors from California Polytechnic State University. While living full-time in Sun Valley, Idaho, Chris serves on the board of several not-for-profit organizations.

“I am a life-long learner who encourages curiosity throughout the team. Curiosity opens us up to new ideas and tools that have helped us to remain at the forefront of all our businesses.”

Deb Shinkle, Chief Financial Officer for 5B Management, LLC, oversees the daily financial activities for the 5B Management business entities, including accounts payable, payroll, benefit administration and financial reporting. She has more than 25 years of accounting and management experience.

Prior to joining 5B Management in 2004, Deb held management positions in the banking, nonprofit and retail industries. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with concentrations in marketing and management from the University of Wisconsin.

Michael DeVore, Vice President of Operations for 5B Management, LLC, directs, plans, controls, and coordinates the activities of The District at Parkcenter, Liberty Lake, and StoragePlus. He is responsible for establishing policies and practices critical to the attainment of operating goals. He has 20 years of customer service business experience through a variety of space management venues; truck rental, intermodal, self-storage and multi-family housing.

Michael has successfully transformed StoragePlus, Liberty Lake, and The District from independently operating locations to a unified, customer-focused culture, supporting the customer, the company and the team in a dynamic retail operation venue that has become the 5B brand.

Michael holds an Associate Degree in Business Management, with extended studies in marketing through the University of Utah.

“The only thing standing between us and customer satisfaction are barriers the team chooses to allow.”

Valerie Lakey, Office Manager and Personal Assistant to Chris Stephens joined the 5B Investments, Inc. team in 2019. Valerie seamlessly provides successful execution of all administrative responsibilities for Chris, 5B Investments, and 5B Management, LLC’s business entities.

Originally from Oregon, Valerie relocated to the Sun Valley area with her husband where they’ve spent their lives raising two daughters and enjoying all the many adventures Idaho has to offer. Valerie is a self-proclaimed true Sun Valley ambassador, sharing her love of the area with anyone she has the chance to. Summer is her absolute favorite time in Sun Valley and you will often find her on one of the many local hiking trails, golfing or admiring the star filled sky around a fire with her family and friends.

With over 35 years of customer service and administrative experience in the medical, orthodontic, and banking fields, when the opportunity came to take on the role and responsibilities offered at 5B, Valerie was the perfect fit. Valerie has a genuine affection for the atmosphere found within the organization. Combined with her high level of skill and achievement, her shining smile and effervescent personality is a true asset to the 5B team.

Justin Padleski has been providing five star customer service and managing multi-level properties for 20 years. Over the past 10 years he has successfully acquired and transitioned over 40 new locations. Justin’s most recent accomplishment includes being a member of a 6-person team that consulted in the sale of New York’s largest parking company which included over 200 locations.

Justin’s passion to lead his employees is what keeps him energetic and driven. He believes leading by example is the best form of leadership. He is dedicated to the success of his employees and is well known for his hands on approach in his daily operations.

Chet Stephens, Vice President, worked with 5B Investments early in his career returning in November, 2015. His duties at 5B comprise a wide range of work assignments that include data collection, quantitative analysis, report design, report drafting, and preparation of various materials for financial institution presentations.

He was able to create over 450 unique financial plans for various clients through the Wealth Management division of Morgan Stanley with over $1 billion of assets total by strategically planning and utilizing eight investment strategies based on predictive analytics and market research to match client risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and investment horizon.

Chet earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics- Concentrating in Choice and Behavior. Continuing his education, Chet completed the graduate Edge program in Business at Columbia University’s partner Columbia Business School.

Rayne Bell, Marketing Coordinator, started with 5B Management, LLC in 2005 as a property manager. Initially in multi-family housing at Liberty Lake Apartments she moved to self-storage in 2007 and began centralizing marketing efforts in conjunction with managerial duties. In 2011 Rayne became an independently contracted marketing specialist with exclusive interest in the 5B Management business entities. Gaining vast knowledge in electronic, digital, and print through various self-studies and vocational courses Rayne has centralized, coordinated, and completed works for the 5B, StoragePlus, Liberty Lake, and The District at Parkcenter brands including a custom design and build of the StoragePlus website. She also aided in  exceeding growth expectations for the 2015 RV expansion of 63 spaces at StoragePlus -Midvalley, maintaining an average 98% occupancy across all properties, and various other projects.  

 “I’ve always believed in the 5B culture and commitment to providing an exclusive experience for every guest. You can’t train someone to care but you can give them something worth caring about. All the team members here care and that’s everything.”