Name: Robert A. Bright
Title: President and CEO
Company: Bright Trading, LLC
Type of Business: Professional stock trading
Location: Headquarters in Las Vegas, 40 locations nationwide
Years in Nevada: 28 years
Years with Company: 10
Biggest Business Challenge:
Our biggest challenge is training new people in the intricate stock trading strategies employed on the various stock exchange trading floors. So much emphasis in college is on the wrong end of the business – brokerage services, etc.
What do you like best about your job?
I like running a firm that allows hundreds of stock traders to compete on an equal basis with exchange traders and other professionals. I’ve been told we execute as many shares as Merrill Lynch on the NYSE – we traded over five billion shares in 2001. We train new people from scratch through our education programs to be successful in this very competitive business.
How do you spend your time when you’re not working?
When not working, I like to spend time with my family, go to movies, visit casinos and take short trips.
What would you like your legacy to be?
I would like to be remembered as someone who was able to start from scratch and build a financial empire with hard work, dedication and a commitment to fair play.
Favorite Business Book
Reminiscences of a Stock Operator, by Jesse Livermore
Best Business Advice
Don’t be afraid to make decisions. Make them quickly and make them often.
Name: Kevin E. Burke
Title: President
Company: Burke and Associates, Inc.
Type of Business:
General contractor specializing in large commercial projects
Location: Las Vegas
Years in Nevada: 12
Years with Company: 13
Biggest Business Challenge:
Our greatest challenge as we look five and 10 years ahead is to continue to recruit the most talented professionals to enable us to fuel our planned growth.
What do you like best about your job?
It is very rewarding at the completion of a project, having met aggressive time and budget constraints, to deliver the project to the client. It is a tremendous sense of accomplishment.
How do you spend your time when you’re not working?
When I am not working or attending numerous industry and association meetings, I spend time with my wife and daughter, play golf, work out and travel.
What would you like your legacy to be?
I recently lost my brother, the CEO and founder of Burke and Associates, Inc., who died in an accident. My passion is to continue to grow the company, while maintaining the same exceptional project service we are known for. With the continued success of our business I will increase our involvement in children’s charitable organizations.
Favorite Business Book
The One Minute Manager, by Kenneth Blanchard
Best Business Advice
Recruit the best, most talented individuals, continually train them, empower them to manage, and let them manage. Be passionate about your business, your clients and, most importantly, your people.
