Mike Kennedy
Principal
Kennedy Commercial
Las Vegas
Years in Nevada: 5
Years with Firm: 5
Type of business:
Real estate developer with residential and commercial projects underway in California, Las Vegas, Mesquite, North Las Vegas and Montana.
Biggest business challenge:
Our biggest challenge is managing the multitude of consultants, municipalities and partners on each project. The development cycle for each project has expanded significantly over the last couple of years, increasing the need to coordinate with everyone involved to stay on schedule.
What do you like best about your job?
The challenge of producing unique developments that create value for investors, owners, users and the cities in which we develop. We don’t have any desire to build commercial or mixed-use projects that are replications of other developments across town.
If you could start over and choose a different profession, what would it be?
I have worked in other industries, but I do believe responsible development can influence the quality of life and character of the community where I live.
How do you spend your time when you’re not working?
I enjoy traveling and exploring new destinations. The rest of my time is spent watching football or eating sushi at Sapporo.
Little-known fact about yourself:
I am able to sustain myself for weeks on nothing but meals from Pei Wei.
Best Business Advice:
Persistence and integrity are the two most important qualities for success. Never sacrifice the quality of your vision to meet short-term objectives.
K. Warren Volker, MD, PhD
Chairman / CEO
PPIC (Premier Physician’s Insurance Company, Inc.)
Las Vegas and Reno
Years in Nevada: 1
Years with Firm: 1
Type of business
Medical malpractice insurance company
Biggest Business Challenge:
Keeping up with growth and demand. PPIC offers discounted medical malpractice coverage for doctors, chiropractors and dentists. The company has exceeded projections by more than 200 percent.
What do you like best about your job?
As a physician myself, I have witnessed first-hand how PPIC has helped many doctors by lowering the cost of medical malpractice insurance. I get “thank yous” from doctors all the time. Helping doctors and stabilizing the market is good for all Nevadans.
If you could start over and choose a different profession, what would it be?
I can’t imagine anything better than being a doctor and forming this company.
How do you spend your time when you’re not working?
I spend all my available time-off with my wife, Michele, and my three kids. My children are involved in soccer, dancing and basketball. I am an avid tennis player and I like to travel to California to surf, when I can. However, my real passion is boating.
Little-known fact about yourself:
I was quite the cowboy when I was in my teens. I showed horses and even appeared in the world horse show when I was 16 years old.
Are rates for medical malpractice insurance in Nevada getting any better?
Yes. Rates have stabilized because doctors now have an alternative that was not previously available. For the first time, doctors are not getting the excessive rate increases they were seeing each year. In addition, doctors can become stockholders in the company.