Name: Tim R. Ruffin, SIOR, CCIM
Title: Managing Partner and VP of Office Properties
Company: Colliers International
Type of Business: Commercial real estate brokerage and property management
Location : Reno
Years in Nevada: 13 years
Years with Company: 4 Years
Biggest Business Challenge:
Maintaining the corporate culture as the firm continues to grow. We have doubled in size since we started, and now have over 35 employees in Reno. The challenge is to impart our values and beliefs to all employees so that we may best serve our clients.
What do you like best about your job?
There is no better feeling than closing a real estate deal that is good for both parties. In addition, my job allows me to contribute to the future development direction of the city, to ensure the market will meet future demand. I get involved in what will get built and where. The ability to collaborate with the cityās top retail, industrial and land team in our office allows us to develop a truly comprehensive look at the communityās commercial real estate future.
How do you spend your time when youāre not working?
If my wife, Nancy, and I are not at a sporting event with one of my three boys, Iām usually in a community board meeting of some type. I have the good fortune of being Rotary assistant governor, WIN vice president of membership, on the pastoral council at church and on several other boards.
Favorite Business Book:
Good to Great, by Jim Collins
Which transaction brought you the most satisfaction?
Selling the former Cal Neva Tower to the city of Reno for a new city hall.Ā It was a complicated transaction based upon the cityās financing alternatives.Ā It also helped revitalize the area around the former Mapes Hotel site and will bring more people into downtown Reno.Ā It was a win-win transaction for the city and the seller.
Name: Ā Martha J. (“Marti”) Ashcraft
Title:Ā Ā Supervising Partner, Las Vegas Office
Company: Ā Lewis and Roca LLP
Type of Business: Ā Law Firm
Location: Las Vegas, with offices in Phoenix and Tucson
Years in Nevada: Ā 35 years
Years with Company: 4 1/2 years
Biggest Business Challenge:
Creating an office environment in which there is an exceptionally strong commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, service to our clients and the best quality work product, while trying to inspire an atmosphere of collegiality and teamwork. Because we have such terrific people in our office, I feel I have been fortunate enough to be able to meet this challenge.
What do you like best about your job?
The fact that I learn something new everyday, and meet so many interesting people.
How do you spend your time when you’re not working?
Traveling, cooking (my husband and I collect, and love to try new recipes from gourmet cookbooks), trying new restaurants in town, wine-tasting with friends, reading, golfing and playing with our four-legged children ā two dogs and two cats.
What would you like your legacy to be?
Professionally, I hope to be remembered as a person who was integrally involved in opening the Las Vegas office of Lewis and Roca LLP and making it a huge success. For me, a large part of that success is mentoring and nurturing young professionals, helping to develop their potential and encouraging them to be the very best.
Best Business Advice:
Do what you love and love what you do.Ā When you donāt love practicing law any longer, find something else to do.
Greatest Legal Victory:
Winning motions for summary judgment and for judgment on the pleadings that got an elderly woman out of 14 years of emotionally distressing and financially devastating litigation, without having to go to trial.Ā She was deeply grateful and said she felt she had been given her life back.