Name: R. Michael Lee
Title: Owner/President
Company: Lee Bros. Leesing, Inc.
Location: Reno
Type of Business: Automotive Leasing, Sales & Equipment
Years in Nevada: Native (48 years)
Years with Company: 25
Biggest Business Challenge:
Going from a handshake to a contract – Reno used to be a small town. Growing with and functioning in the information era has demanded that businesses keep up with technology to be competitive. With the growth of mega-businesses, the smaller competitors often struggle to service and maintain their contracts.
Greatest Accomplishment:
Being successful in an environment where we are the only major leasing company that’s privately owned. Creating a non-automotive work force in the automotive industry has kept our philosophy (strong commitment to customer service, no hard sell/hassle and building life-long relationships with all of our customers) strong. I have had the opportunity to serve as the president of Prospector’s Club, first vice president of the National Vehicle Leasing Association and as a Trustee Emeritus with Ducks Unlimited.
Worst Failure:
Disappointing a client or friend and having him or her lose faith in myself or my company.
Most Valuable Lesson:
Success is never final and failure is never fatal.
Company Goals:
To satisfy all of our friends’ and customers’ needs and to make every purchase or lease as enjoyable as possible.
Best Business Advice:
The six P’s: Positive Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. And, never stop trying.
Name: Tod W. Little
Title: Chairman and CEO
Company: Silver State Bancorp
Location: Henderson
Type of Business: Community bank. Silver State Bancorp is the holding company for Silver State Bank, with seven branches in Southern Nevada.
Years in Nevada: 5
Years with Company: 5
Biggest Business Challenge:
Starting the bank from scratch was tough, but fun. I don’t think we’ve faced our biggest challenge yet, which is managing through an economic downturn. Currently, our main challenges are managing growth and finding quality employees.
Greatest Professional Accomplishment:
Setting up the bank five years ago and getting it firmly established. It now has $300 million in assets, over 100 employees, seven branches in Southern Nevada and loan offices in Reno, Salt Lake City and Portland.
Worst Failure:
Not venturing out on my own earlier. I worked for a big bank for 17 years, and didn’t have the intestinal fortitude to leave my comfortable position and do something on my own.
Most Valuable Lesson Learned:
Don’t start thinking you can be right 100 percent of the time, because you can’t. Stick with your instincts, regardless of what others may try to convince you to do.
Company Goals:
Silver State Bank wants to continue to grow and expand as business conditions allow. Nevada has the best economy in the U.S., and we want to be a part of it for many years to come.
Best Business Advice:
Treat your customers well and the rest will take care of itself. Treat your employees like gold, because they are.
Name: Kenneth C. Westfield, M.D.
Title: Owner/Medical Director
Company: Shearing-Westfield Eye Institute
Location: Las Vegas
Type of Business: Ophthalmology practice, founded by Dr. Westfield in 1980
Years in Nevada: 21
Years with Company: 21
Biggest Business Challenge:
Rebuilding the practice after bankruptcy. In 1995, I was one of the founders of Physicians Resource Group (PRG), 10 ophthalmology practices from around the country that formed a group and went public. We wanted to develop enough economic and political clout to serve our patients’ best interests when going up against large hospitals or insurance companies. The company management didn’t have the same vision as the physicians, and we had to buy back our assets in order to continue to take care of our patients.
Greatest Accomplishment:
I have accomplished a number of significant “firsts” for this area. I was the first local physician to do outpatient cataract surgery (in 1980), the first ophthalmologist to set up satellite clinics in rural areas, and the first ophthalmologist to contract with HMOs. I founded the Nevada Eye Bank at Valley Hospital to procure, process and distribute donor eyes.
Worst Failure:
The bankruptcy of PRG. We had high hopes for it.
Most Valuable Lesson:
Even a good idea can go bad with poor management.
Company Goals:
We are committed to continuing education of our physicians and staff and to the adaptation of technological advances to assure improvements in patient care.
Best Business Advice:
Surround yourself with good people and learn to delegate.