Name: Dick Rizzo
Title: Chairman
Company: Perini Building Company
Location: Phoenix and Las Vegas
Type of Business: Commercial construction, specializing in the hospitality and gaming industry. Recent Nevada projects include The Luxor, Paris Las Vegas and Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas, and it is currently constructing the Palms.
Years in Nevada: 19
Years with Company: 24
Biggest Business Challenge:
Perini Corporation, based in Massachusetts, bought a small Phoenix company in 1974 in order to grow a West Coast presence. The biggest challenge was to expand that local company into Nevada and California, and now into other states as well, until Perini Building Company is now the largest hospitality/gaming contractor in the country.
Greatest Professional Accomplishment:
I am proud we have developed such a good reputation that clients approach us to contract for jobs, instead of us having to bid for jobs and hope we are the lowest bidder. Eighty percent of our work is repeat business from satisfied clients.
Worst Failure:
If I were to do anything differently, I would bring in more people along the way and train them — “Perini-ize” them. Rather than saving money by keeping employment figures down, I would have developed a large enough crew of managers to handle any volume of work.
Most Valuable Lesson Learned:
Nothing good comes easy. We need to put in the hard work to maintain our professionalism and our reputation, because one screw-up replaces ten “atta-boys.”
Company Goals:
As a publicly-owned company, we need to satisfy our shareholders. Because we operate on a very small profit margin — 1 or 2 percent — we aim to do this by expanding our operations, but making sure we are expanding profitably.
Best Business Advice:
Set the highest standards you can for your company, and then live up to them.
Name: Frank Yoder
Title: President
Company: Advanced Information Systems (AIS)
Location: Las Vegas
Type of Business: Full service software company specializing in consulting, design, development, implementation and integration of business applications.
Years in Nevada: 7
Years with Company: 13
Biggest Business Challenge:
Adapting to the ever-changing needs of our clients. For example, in 1998, AIS was contracted to design, develop, install and train a complete CTI (Computer Telephone Integration) solution for the Fleet Credit Card processing centers in Delaware, Pennsylvania and Colorado. As the scope of the project expanded and not the timeline, AIS had to work closely with Fleet to ensure that the implementation process was successful.
Greatest Professional Accomplishment:
Establishing Advanced Information Systems in 1987 and growing the firm to the 30-person-strong company it is today, supporting client business applications both nationally and internationally.
Worst Failure:
Not moving our headquarters to the Las Vegas Valley sooner. The growth experienced in this area during the early 1990s was a lost opportunity for AIS.
Most Valuable Lesson Learned:
Always treat others in business the way you would want to be treated. AIS has established a solid reputation with our clients and our reputation is based on that philosophy. Repeat business and client referrals are the proof that it is working.
Company Goals:
AIS wants to continue providing the best quality service to our clients in a prompt, efficient manner and at an affordable price. We believe these goals should not be compromised for any reason, including growth.
Best Business Advice:
The greatest assets of any business are its people. Do what it takes to hire top-notch employees, and do everything necessary within reason to keep them.
Name: Bonnie Houldsworth
Title: Managing Partner
Company: Houldsworth, Russo & Company
Location: Las Vegas
Type of Business: Accounting and consulting firm specializing in nonprofit organizations and development-stage enterprises
Years in Nevada: 45
Years with Company: 14
Biggest Business Challenge:
My greatest challenge is handling our growing consulting practice while staying current with our traditional tax and accounting practice. Both fields require extensive training and continual reading and research in order to remain on top.
Greatest Professional Accomplishment:
Our business has increased over 50 percent in the last three years while still maintaining personal service to our clients. I am also very proud of our outstanding staff, which is committed to giving our clients more than they expect.
Worst Failure:
Attempting to start a medical billing practice was a mistake. But I believe that nothing is really a failure, only a difficult learning situation.
Most Valuable Lesson Learned:
Give your clients more than they ask for, or expect.
Company Goals:
To be known as an outstanding consulting firm that also provides accounting and tax services. Also, to help as many nonprofits in Southern Nevada as we can, by continuing to provide excellent service.
Best Business Advice:
Be sure to continually ask your customers what they really want.
