Face to Face - June 2001

Face to Face

Name: J. Windom Kimsey

Title: Principal

Company: Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects

Location: Las Vegas

Type of Business: Architecture, interior design and construction management

Years in Nevada: 12

Years with Company: 10

In 1995, our firm doubled in size to over 60 people when we started work on designing the D Gates at McCarran International Airport. My biggest challenge has been maintaining and nurturing the growth of our company while striving to keep a reputation for quality and service to our clients.

Our firm was named the Western Mountain Region Firm of the Year in 1998 by the American Institute of Architects. Receiving that award demonstrated how far our company had come from its beginnings in 1960.

I often find myself getting so absorbed in a project that the intensity overwhelms my family life and my broader vision of our practice. I feel it is important to maintain a healthy balance of these things in life.

My father instilled in me a strong work ethic at an early age. He had always excelled in his medical practice. Although I may have struggled a bit in my career to get where I am, I feel that by working hard and setting attainable goals I have been able to accomplish many things.

Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects strives to design and build a better community with projects that are responsive to our clients’ needs, with an emphasis on quality and environmental sensibility.

Be persistent with your business ideals and create attainable goals. Set an example for your employees and encourage teamwork and communication.

Name: James E. McNutt

Title: Vice President/Regional Manager

Company: Terracon

Location: Las Vegas

Type of Business: Consulting engineers, specializing in geotechnical and environmental engineering, as well as testing and inspection of construction materials

Years in Nevada: 25

Years with Company: 8

Retaining good employees and finding qualified new employees. Qualification requirements for technicians are changing, and we must create and provide better training programs.

I feel that my greatest accomplishment has been earning the opportunity to become a principal and office manager for major engineering companies. I have also been involved in community affairs for such groups as the Consulting Engineers Council of Nevada and the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association (SNHBA). The SNHBA recently named me Associate Member of the Year.

The inability to provide much-needed positive feedback to employees for jobs well done. I realize the value of praise and reinforcement, but it’s difficult for me to practice it effectively.

All companies and public agencies are made up of people in different areas of responsibility. Each should be considered a team member and be treated with respect. Teams are only as strong as their weakest link.

To deliver all of our services on a timely basis, with consistently high value and attention to client needs.

Quality of work and product are important, and price is usually a consideration, but service is what will separate your business from its competitors.

Name: J. Alan Pughes

Title: President & CEO

Company: Community One Federal Credit Union

Location: Las Vegas

Type of Business: Credit Union – Financial Institution

Years in Nevada: 13

Years with Company: 2

Building and developing a high performance team to: correct the problems of the past, improve the quality of services and products, and take advantage of the immense opportunity for the credit union’s growth in membership and assets within the limitations imposed by limited capital.

As CEO at another credit union, growing membership from 16,000 to 40,000, which resulted in assets growing from $100 million to $300 million, and building a strong credit union from a "mom and pop" culture to a professional organization.

After building a strong and successful organization in my previous position, my inability to eliminate negative elements in the work environment eventually damaged the ability of the rest of the team to soar.

Hire slow, fire quick and never tolerate incompetence — no matter what the tenure.

Our goal is to become the credit union of choice in Las Vegas, operating most effectively with the broadest array of financial services available. We want to provide the indisputably highest level of service to the most members and, of course, be financially strong.

Building a strong, high-performance team, dedicated to excellence and focused on the same vision, is the key to success.

Name: Wayne Pedlar

Title: General Manager

Company: RTP Company

Location: Dayton

Type of Business: RTP manufactures custom thermoplastic compounds for engineering uses. Pedlar also heads the Nevada Manufacturers’ Association.

Years in Nevada: 4 1/2

Years with Company: 4 1/2

We need to demonstrate value and build our customer base in situations where we don’t always offer the lowest price. Since we make small batches of custom compounds, our price per use may be higher, but we know our product is made exactly to our customer’s specifications, and we offer personalized service. We offer value in ways that may not be immediately recognized.

I hold offices in the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Carson City Area Chamber of Commerce, and I also serve on the Carson City Planning Commission. I feel honored to have the opportunity to serve, and feel that improving the community makes it a better place in which to do business. It’s a win-win situation.

The last place I worked was owned by a Japanese company. They hired me as part of a team that was sent in to turn the company around and try to make it profitable. I didn’t do enough research before accepting the assignment, or I would have realized it was hopeless from the beginning.

Business is a team sport. It only works when everyone has the same goal and plays by the same set of rules.

We are currently number two in our industry, but we intend to move up to number one by offering great customer service, giving our customers exactly the product they want — not just something that will work — and by offering the shortest time to market.

Respect those who work for you — they’re the ones who make the business go.