Name: Al Barber
Title: President
Company: TBL Construction
Type of Business:
General contractor. Also president of the National Association of Minority Contractors, an advocacy group for minority-owned construction-related businesses.
Location: Las Vegas
Years in Nevada: 5
Years with Company: 13
Biggest Business Challenge My biggest challenge has been balancing the demands of running a business, while finding enough time for my family life.
What do you like best about your job?
I enjoy meeting the challenges of the fast-growing construction industry and also providing jobs for the community in which I live.
How do you spend your time when you’re not working?
I watch all kinds of sports on television. I also enjoy walking and reading.
What would you like your legacy to be?
That I was able to further the goals of minority business in the area of diversity and make sure I took total advantage of every opportunity given to me.
Favorite Business Book
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, by John C. Maxwell
Best Business Advice
Be totally committed to your business and stay focused on your goals.
Name: Brian R. Gordon, CPA
Title: Partner
Company: Gordon & Aguero, Business Consultants & CPAs
Type of Business:
Certified public accounting firm providing accounting, taxation and assurance-related services
Location: Las Vegas
Years in Nevada: 28
Years with Company: 2 (since inception)
Biggest Business Challenge:
Transitioning from an international Big Five accounting firm with brand name recognition to developing a local business enterprise catering to a different market and customer base.
What do you like best about your job?
The best benefit of establishing my own firm and being positioned at the top is the flexibility of selecting the types of clients (both companies and individuals) that meet my professional objectives, which allows me to witness, first-hand, the successes achieved for my clients.
How do you spend your time when you’re not working?
While not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling and participating in the occasional round of golf.
What would you like your legacy to be?
I would like to be known best for my well-roundedness and ability to achieve professional success for my firm, success for the clients I serve and success in my personal and family life.
Favorite Business Book:
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Don’t by Jim Collins
Best Business Advice:
When faced with a do-or-die situation in business, always take the risk to achieve your dreams and goals.