A leader, a mentor or a boss. Whatever other name you give a CEO, whether or not they’re respected by their employees is an essential part of the make-up of any organization. Respect can make the difference between success and failure for any company and the man or woman in charge is the one responsible for engendering that respect.
This year’s crop of Most Respected CEO’s came by the title honestly. They were chosen by judges that are well respected themselves and have earned the respected of their peers. Through their hard work and dedication, these 10 CEO’s lead by example and continue to strive for success.
Nevada Business Magazine congratulates this year’s CEO’s for their hard work and thanks this year’s judges for the unenviable task of choosing only 10 out of countless nominees.
Michael Dermody, Dermody Properties
Northern Nevada | Years with Company: 37 | Years in Nevada: 61
What do you love most about your job?
I have the best job in the world. I work with great people. Our team grew from a three-man local company into a nationally ranked industrial development organization that sold a 25 million square foot portfolio in 2007. We didn’t stop. We then evolved into a partnership-based national organization with offices across the United States. Starting with zero inventory in 2007, through the Great Recession, we have developed over 4 million square feet, all accomplished with teamwork.
Most importantly this platform has enabled us to give back to the communities that have given us so much. It’s a privilege.
What is the most important quality of a good leader?
A good leader is honest and hard working, but also takes time to appreciate his family and friends. In addition, he should strive to put others before himself. If you’re fortunate enough to do business in a community, you have a responsibility to give back to that community as well as to the team that made your success. When Dermody Properties is successful, we share that success with everyone. In our 2007 legendary sale, everyone participated … from the runner to the bookkeeper to the department heads, and on up the line. This is leadership.
What drives you to be your best?
Maybe I’ve been drinking the kool-aid too long, but I think in a word, you should know your limitations then try to do the best with your ability.
My father taught me the importance of relationships and honesty. My handshake is my word and customer service is the foundation
of our business. My family and my community are now what inspire me to be my best; I always strive for excellence, even though sometimes I fall short.
Testimonies
“He considers each of his employees his friend, taking an interest in our lives outside of the office and wanting to know about our families and interests.”
– Carol Martin, Marketing Coordinator
“Michael is scrupulously honest. He puts his customers and employees first. He is always the guy that does the right thing when no one is looking.”
– C. Douglas Lanning, Chief Financial Officer, Dermody Properties
Ed Epperson, Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare
Northern Nevada | Years with Company: 18 | Years in Nevada: 18
What do you love most about your job?
The dedication, professionalism, and compassion our staff display every day at every level is what I love most about my job. The fact that I can do my job without any concern about the quality of service our staff provides is an awesome thing.
What is the most important quality of a good leader?
Assembling a leadership team that is experienced and committed to our values; providing them the resources they need; and then allowing them to lead.
How have your experiences affected your leadership ability?
Virtually every experience in my life has in some way affected my ability to lead. It started with watching my grandfather manage his small farm, through my predecessor here at Carson Tahoe. I try and learn from every situation, whether positive or negative, and incorporate it into strengths.
What’s your motto?
Hope is an essential element for leadership; but hope, by itself, is not a strategy.
Testimonies
“I respect Ed Epperson for a variety of reasons. He has integrity and those who work for him are thrilled to work for such a supportive boss. I can count on Ed to do the right thing whatever the situation.”
– Neal Duncan, CEO, Continuing Care Hospital
“Ed is thoughtful, thorough and always has the communities best interest in mind. He serves on public committees with a strong service attitude.”
– Jim Sergeant, CEO, Sierra Surgery Hospital
John Farahi, Monarch Resort & Casino
Northern Nevada | Years with Company: 40 | Years in Nevada: 40
Who do you respect in your line of work? Why?
Bill Harrah. He was truly a pioneer in the gaming industry. He set the standard of excellence that became the model for future developers and entrepreneurs in this business.
What is the most important quality of a good leader?
A good leader is someone who is honest with themselves. A good leader has a vision and inspires others, and is capable of putting a team together to accomplish that vision.
What do you enjoy most about working with your team?
I take great pride in their many accomplishments. Together we have created an award-winning destination resort and we continue to grow. How do you inspire your team? By setting high standards and having goals. I surround myself with people that are also high achievers. We derive mutual satisfaction by accomplishing our goals as a team.
Testimonies
“I have worked with John for almost twenty years. He is incredibly hard working, a very caring leader, who is high energy and sets a clear standard for his team. His door is always open to any employee no matter the position.”
– Joan Gondry, Director of Catering
“A man of true humility, integrity and honorable character, John’s dedication to community and charity creates a culture of deep respect, trust and teamwork”
– Darlyne Sullivan, General Manager/Executive Vice President
Carole Fisher, Nathan Adelson Hospice
Southern Nevada | Years with Company: 7 | Years in Nevada: 32
What do you love most about your job?
Every day, I know we are helping our patients and their loved ones face the most difficult circumstances with dignity and compassion. I value working for a mission-driven, non-profit organization. I get tremendous satisfaction from knowing that we are primarily focused on the best interests of our community.
Who do you respect in your line of work?
Our Board of Trustees, my senior leadership team, our staff and volunteers. The Board is comprised of community leaders who volunteer their time to this organization. My senior leadership team is a group of dedicated and creative professionals. I also respect and admire the people who work at the bedside of our patients. They are amazing. It is a personal privilege to work with such a capable, caring and committed team.
What drives you to be your best?
Our patients and their loved ones drive me to be my best. Every day we receive phone calls and letters from family members thanking us. They are a testament to the excellent care we provide and they reaffirm the important role Nathan Adelson Hospice plays every day in fulfilling our mission to provide dignified and compassionate care.
What is your most difficult challenge as it relates to your position?
I find it challenging to find time to do everything. I build relationships with as many employees and volunteers as I can, and it is important to me to regularly spend time with patients and families. In addition, I play a direct role in making sure Nathan Adelson Hospice continues to provide $1 million per year in uncompensated care.
Testimonies
“I respect Carole Fisher for many reasons but most importantly for her ability to make decisions for our organization that are always in the best interest of the patients and families that we care for and our employees.”
– Karen Rubel, Vice President for Development
“I respect Carole for her leadership style and ability to maintain a mission based business even with the threat of competition. Her transparent style of leadership provides the employees with information that helps them understand why decisions are made.”
– Diane Smith, Vice President of Clinical Operations
Edward Guthrie, Opportunity Village
Southern Nevada | Years with Company: 17 | Years in Nevada: 18
Who do you respect in your line of work? Why?
People with disabilities, the families who love them, our donors, our Board (who are also donors), our staff (most of whom are also donors), our wonderful volunteers (most of whom are also donors)… I could go on and on.
What drives you to be your best?
Alonzo and all the folks like him. Alonzo fell off a fire escape at three years of age and had a severe brain injury. He uses a wheel chair and has the limited use of one arm and hand. It takes him so many hours to get ready for work every day that come Thursday he’s exhausted and needs to have Friday off. But, whenever you ask Alonzo how he’s doing he’ll tell you, “absolutely fantastic!”. How could you not want to please him?
What is the most important quality of a good leader?
Set ambitious but achievable goals then hold yourself and your team accountable for achieving them.
How have your experiences affected your leadership ability?
Seven years ago I had a very serious accident followed by a stroke. As I lay in the hospital bed feeling sorry for myself, I kept seeing the faces of the people Opportunity Village serves. They became my inspiration to get better. I started looking at what needed to be done to assure that Opportunity Village was there to serve them long after I was gone. So sustainability, developing the next generation of leaders, has become a major issue.
Testimonies
“Ed has demonstrated, time and time again, his commitment to people with disabilities and has successfully balanced the mission of our organization with the ever-increasing financial challenges.”
– Kathy Galbraith, Director of Employment Training Centers
“Edward Guthrie is a highly intelligent business man. He is Opportunity Village and I respect the growth, success and number of lives, disabled and non-disabled, he has helped in his years here at Opportunity Village.”
– Laura D’Amore, Director of Sales
Bruce Hendricks, Bank of Nevada
Southern Nevada | Years with Company: 12 | Years in Nevada: 49
What do you love most about your job?
Working with a great group of employees and customers — Many of our employees have been with us for a long time and it has been rewarding to watch their growth and contribution to our success. Many of our customers started with us when we were a smaller bank, and it’s been gratifying to see both our customers and our bank succeed and grow.
What is the most important quality of a good leader?
To be a good listener and lead by example— I think a true leader needs to walk the talk. I try to make sure our employees have the resources needed for them to be successful and try to be there to support them and keep a sense of humility.
What do you enjoy most about working with your team?
I think it comes from the pride I have in our people and our vision of being the best in our profession. You can either just go to work or go to work with a mission. We’re fortunate to have a team that really works for a common purpose of helping people and doing it better than anyone else.
How have your experiences affected your leadership ability?
The recession brought home the adage: persistence really does pay off. We’ve worked hard to be the bank our customers know they can count on in good times and bad – and they’ve repaid us with their loyalty. I found that leading in tough times does make you stronger.
Testimony
“I joined Bank of Nevada in August of 2011. One of my first task was to spend time meeting with our over 400 employees to hear first hand their thoughts about our company. In this process I heard a very common response, they loved working for Bank of Nevada because they were valued, empowered and loved the environment. When employees feel valued and empowered it’s a testament to the leadership. I respect Bruce’s commitment to honesty and integrity. I know Las Vegas is very fortunate to have many respected CEO’s who are true leaders, I can’t think of one I would rather work for.”
– John Guedry, President & Chief Operating Officer
Tony Hsieh, Zappos.com, Inc.
Southern Nevada | Years with Company: 12 | Years in Nevada: 8
What do you love most about your job?
Our culture at Zappos, which has been formalized by our 10 core values: 1) Deliver WOW Through Service; 2) Embrace and Drive Change; 3) Create Fun and A Little Weirdness; 4) Be Adventurous, Creative, and Open-Minded; 5) Pursue Growth and Learning; 6) Build Open and Honest Relationships With Communication; 7) Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit; 8) Do More With Less; 9) Be Passionate and Determined; and 10) Be Humble.
What do you enjoy most about working with your team?
I like that we’re not just coworkers, but actually friends. Even if we weren’t working in the same company together, we’d still hang out together.
What is your most difficult challenge as it relates to your position?
I think the biggest leadership challenge has and will continue to be communication. With so many employees today, it’s impossible for every employee to know what’s going on in detail in every area of the company. At the same time, we want all of our employees to be as informed as possible so that people understand how their work and the work of other employees help contribute to the big picture and our long term vision.
What’s your motto?
I like to ask people “What are you so passionate about that you would be willing to do it for 10 years without ever making a dime?” My advice to them is to go do that.
Testimonies
“Tony’s book is dedicated to my youngest daughter, Ava. Tony saw the entrepreneur in Ava and constantly challenged her to think of new business ideas. To this day, Ava still pitches ideas to Tony. He still listens excitedly as he did with the first idea she pitched to him.”
– Richard Zech, Director – Private Label, Zappos.com
“Tony is a passionate visionary with a proven track record of executing his vision. I have enjoyed working with Tony over the past twelve years and am continually inspired by his creative genius.”
– Fred Mossler, Employee 1, Zappos.com
Sam Kaufman, Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center
Southern Nevada | Years with Company: 21 | Years in Nevada: 21
What do you love most about your job?
I love inspiring and motivating people to achieve their professional goals. In 21 years, I have built friendships with our people as I advanced and they took on new roles. It’s important to surround yourself with talented, knowledgeable people who carry out the hospital’s mission and vision effectively and efficiently.
What drives you to be your best?
Competition with myself as well as the best in healthcare drives me to be my best. While everyone wants to outperform their competitors, I also compete against my own performance and abilities. I set high expectations for myself and work hard to attain those goals and surpass past performance.
What do you enjoy most about working with your team?
My team offers strength, talent, dedication and a sense of humor. Possessing these traits is essential to overcoming challenges and achieving greatness. Regardless of the challenge, we band together to tackle it, utilizing our diverse areas of expertise. Sometimes this requires long days and humor to get us through.
How do you inspire your team?
I inspire my team through leading by example, respecting them as individuals and recognizing their contributions. For example, I expect them to exhibit service excellence and show respect, so I demonstrate those traits. I emphasize recognition and show gratitude for their contributions through thank you notes, special celebrations and attribution.
Testimonies
“It is a tremendous honor to work with a person who has many outstanding leadership talents and qualities like Sam, he is a person
who truly cares about you. He is a mentor and role model and inspires you to do your best work.”
– Joyce Malaskovitz, PhD, RN, CDE, Director Health and Wellness
“Sam has the ability to communicate effectively, primarily because he is very personable and has a collegial attitude with an affable sense of humor. He holds high standards and expectations for himself and those that work with him.”
– Karla Perez, Regional Vice President
Billy Vassiliadis, R & R Partners
Southern Nevada | Years with Company: 29 | Years in Nevada: 37
What do you love most about your job?
The dynamic nature of the communications industry. No two days are the same. No two clients are the same. Over the last decade, the tech revolution has turned the world, and the way we communicate with each other, upside down, or actually, right side up. The constant change, the constant need for innovation, imagination, creativity, and new types of problem-solving keeps it fresh for me even after all these years.
What is the most important quality of a good leader?
I’m going to answer that question by paraphrasing one of my heroes and one of the most profound men in history, Nelson Mandela.
He said that a good leader was like a good shepherd. Shepherds lead from behind their flock, not from the front because by walking behind them you can let the fast and the strong ones surge ahead while making sure the younger and smaller are staying up. Only from the back can you be sure that no one is straying off. And I think that sums up good leadership. It’s allowing the people you work with to be as strong, and to go as far, as they can. I believe, fundamentally, that this is what makes an organization successful. I wish I was better at practicing that but it’s what I believe great leadership is.
What do you enjoy most about working with your team?
I’ve said for many years that I’m one of few people I know who loves going to work every day. The reason, honestly, is that I get to work with my best friends. My team is passionate, competitive, diverse in age, ethnicity, life experiences, and in almost every other way. Even as I get older, I learn lessons from their perspectives every day, not only about business, but about life. Working with these smart, talented people and listening to their brilliant ideas gives me enormous energy and enthusiasm. I am lucky to have the privilege of interacting with so many very dedicated people.
Testimonies
“I respect his flat-out brilliance as a problem solver. I respect his determination to fight for what’s right. And finally, I respect him as the most loyal, honest and caring friend anyone can be blessed to have in their life.”
– Mary Ann Mele, President
“Billy has an uncanny way of pushing you to reach for the best. His compassion for human rights, employees and friends is unmatched.
His drive for information is incredible. Most of all I respect his humbleness.”
– Rob Dondero, Executive Vice President
Michael Yackira, NV Energy
Statewide | Years with Company: 9 | Years in Nevada: 9
What do you love most about your job?
I enjoy working with the employees of NV Energy who are dedicated to assuring that electricity, a vital part of Nevada’s economy, is reliably available to our customers. We have invested in Nevada’s ability to be energy independent from others states, assuring that when electricity is needed, it’s there.
What is the most important quality of a good leader?
A successful leader must be surrounded by a diverse group of smart, hard-working people who speak their minds and who the leader enjoys being with. Success is predicated on making the right strategic decisions based on insight provided by this team and the leader’s experience and judgment.
How have your experiences affected your leadership ability?
I have been blessed to work for and around people who have good values: integrity, strong work ethic, community involvement,
love for people, inquisitiveness, humor, customer focus, and a desire to always do better. I’ve learned that helping the customer first is the key to being successful in business.
What is your most difficult challenge as it relates to your position?
My most difficult challenge, and one that I likely share with others in the electric industry, is helping our customers connect the value of electricity with the price. A personal goal of mine is to establish a higher level of customer appreciation for the energy we provide by illustrating the vital role it plays in our everyday lives.
Testimonies
“He is a leader among leaders, both in inspiration and practice, creating a vision of the future. Michael has this unique ability to bring the future to life. Moreover, he understands none of this is possible without the efforts of many.”
– Constanza L. Ashford, Director, Financial Planning & Analysis
“He sets a compelling strategic vision, works to continuously improve the team that is needed to deliver the expected results, and when difficult circumstances arise, he makes timely and well-reasoned decisions that balance the needs of customers, owners, employees and communities.”
– Bob Stewart, Senior VP of Customer Relationship
Judges
Debra March,
City of Henderson;
Frank Woodbeck,
Nevada Department of Employment, Training and
Rehabilitation;
Patty Wade,
Wade Consulting
