Face to Face - January 2002

Face to Face

Name: Jimmy Pettyjohn

Title: President

Company: The Jimmy Pettyjohn Group (JPG)

Location: Las Vegas  

Type of Business: A full-service benefits, human resources and risk management company   

Years in Nevada: 18  

Years with Company: 15  

Biggest Business Challenge:

During the last three years, our business base has more than doubled. As our firm continues to grow and expand, we find it more and more difficult to provide each of our clients with the same high level of service as when we founded our business years ago.  

Greatest Professional Accomplishment:

Three years ago, I broke away from my business partner to take JPG in a new direction. Since then, our bottom line has grown in excess of 200 percent – each year growing into a new and more solid company.   

Worst Failure:

Because of my strong time commitment doing charity and community work, business development for JPG often takes a back seat. I need to learn to balance both in order to continue the growth of our firm.  

Most Valuable Lesson:

Be careful whom you trust. Over the years, I’ve learned how important it is to surround yourself with quality people – whether they be employees or clients.  

Company Goals:

Steady, consistent growth while still maintaining the same high standard of service.  

Best Business Advice:

Find out what you like to do and you’ll do well. Then, stick with it. Remember to keep your priorities straight and have fun along the way.

Name: Tom McCormick  

Title: President  

Company: Astoria Homes  

Location: Las Vegas  

Type of Business:

Homebuilder, with projects in several master-planned communities, including Rhodes Ranch, Silverado Ranch, Centennial Hills and Seven Hills  

Years in Nevada: 9  

Years with Company: 7  

Biggest Business Challenge:

 Starting the company from nothing. We did not have the staff or resources the large national firms, which dominated the market, had behind them.  

Greatest Professional Accomplishment:

Growing Astoria Homes from 50 closings the first year to 819 homes in 2001, and doing it without compromising quality. I am also proud we have kept the same core staff from the beginning.  

Worst Failure:

Our first two product lines. We had to close down both communities and reopen with new models. However, this turned out to be a learning experience and an asset to Astoria Homes. We went back to the drawing board and questioned everything – we even changed the logo. It helped turn us into the successful company we are today.  

Most Valuable Lesson:

Don’t ever assume you know more about what the customer wants than the customer does. The customer always knows, and what he wants isn’t always what you might think or what you might want it to be.  

Company Goals:

Our goals have always been threefold: have high customer satisfaction, high team member satisfaction and make a reasonable return. We also want to continue to grow, as long as we continue to improve. And, of course, to be the best homebuilder in Las Vegas.  

Best Business Advice:

 Make sure you and your team love what you do. In that kind of environment, everyone can grow and be successful.