Name: Robbie Graham
Title: President
Company: Nevada Title Company
Location: Las Vegas
Type of Business: Title Insurance and Escrow Services. Founded in 1979, it is the largest locally-owned title company in Nevada.
Years in Nevada: 26
Years with Company: 22
Biggest Business Challenge:
Revamping our company structure and corporate culture in response to new demands put on our industry. Legislation, technology and customer expectations are constantly changing and creating new challenges.
Greatest Accomplishment:
Becoming president of Nevada Title Company is certainly a milestone. It will take many more milestones to transform our company into the dynamic, responsive and flexible organization it will need to be to thrive for the next 25 years.
Worst Failure:
During my career I have focused a great deal of my attention toward my profession. Unfortunately, I learned too late the value of balancing work life and professional like. I know there were times with my children I missed and will not be able to regain.
Most Valuable Lesson:
With an understanding that I do not have all the answers, I have learned to listen to others, keep an open mind and evaluate without prejudice; then I make up my own mind, based on a consistent and well-grounded value system.
Company Goals:
We have five goals in 2001: To improve our residential resale market share; to develop an internal training department; to improve turnaround time and accuracy of our products; to implement a new title and escrow software system; to design and build our new corporate headquarters.
Best Business Advice:
We must embrace change, while maintaining a clear vision based on strongly held values.
Name: Gregory De Sart
Title: President
Company: Geotechnical & Environmental Services, Inc. (GES)
Location: Las Vegas
Type of Business: Geotechnical and environmental engineering, construction inspections, field and laboratory materials testing, drilling
Years in Nevada: 37
Years with Company:10
Biggest Business Challenge:
Hiring and training the right people who have the combination of emotional intelligence, motivation and technical abilities to work as a team to get the job done.
Greatest Professional Accomplishment:
Surviving the many challenges and demands of running a business, and having it continuously grow and prosper.
Worst Failure:
Reluctance to delegate important management responsibilities and technical tasks during initial years of operation. This limited our ability to compete and to grow, because people had to wait for me to make decisions they could have made themselves. It also slowed the professional development and growth of our key employees.
Most Valuable Lesson Learned:
Hard work alone is not enough to ensure business success. Time spent developing and implementing long-term strategic goals is one of the most important tools.
Company Goals:
We have three main priorities: First, to understand and serve the needs of our clients; next, to create a company where people want to work; third, to make a reasonable profit that allows the first two priorities to occur.
Best Business Advice:
Keep your business in perspective as it relates to all aspects of your life. This creates balance and makes the business a more enjoyable part of living.
Name: Robert Robotti
Title: CEO
Company: SCI (Secured California Investments, Inc.)
Location: Las Vegas and Los Angeles
Type of Business: Commercial real estate investments, including private investment funding for real estate syndication, joint ventures and trust deed financing
Years in Nevada: 1
Years with Company: 8
Biggest Business Challenge:
Consistently keeping aware of changes in real estate and economic trends that affect our business. Being able to direct modifications in the business plan quickly and smoothly, to provide steady revenues and growth.
Greatest Professional Accomplishment:
In my days in International Export in the World Trade Center in New York, I won a bid to transport 30,000 tons of cargo for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a chartered vessel, competing against 20 regularly scheduled shipping lines.
Worst Failure:
I had to close down a personal, three-year effort to expand a magazine called Networking News, a personal dream since high school days.
Most Valuable Lesson Learned:
There are a tremendous number of really good people in the world of business, and they are willing to help. You simply need to ask in a genuine way and be willing to reciprocate. Friendships through business create successes.
Company Goals:
To maintain stable growth in our real estate portfolio, while monitoring risk factors and protecting our network of over 100 investors. Also, earning credibility from our peers in the real estate community.
Best Business Advice:
When it is time to make an important decision, do it with a sense of passion, pride and professionalism. Try to be the best at what you pursue.
Name: M. Kent (Tim) Hafen
Title: Owner-Manager
Company: Hafen Ranches and ARTESIA at Hafen Ranch subdivision
Location: Pahrump
Type of Business: Developing residential subdivision lots, commercial buildings and a utility company (sewer and water)
Years in Nevada: 69
Years with Company: 50
Biggest Business Challenge:
Because of the newness of the Pahrump Valley market and the lack of a prior track record, it is a challenge to gauge the market for commercial and residential development. This also makes it difficult to obtain reasonable financing.
Greatest Professional Accomplishment:
I served four terms as an assemblyman in the Nevada Legislature. I have also been president of the Nevada Farm Bureau Federation, chairman of Valley Electric Association and chairman of the Nevada Department of Agriculture. I received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Nevada Water Resources Association and the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award from the UNR College of Agriculture.
Worst Failure:
A few years ago I was part of a small group trying to form a community bank in Pahrump. We were unable to attract enough stock subscriptions to make it fly.
Most Valuable Lesson Learned:
Any development should be done with equity financing. Sales and leasing may be much slower in the beginning than planned.
Company Goals:
To phase out farming and complete the 900-lot ARTESIA subdivision along with commercial development.
Best Business Advice:
My own experience shows that if you stay with anything long enough you should succeed.
Name: John Haycock
Title: President & CEO
Company: Haycock Petroleum Company
Type of Business: Wholesale and Retail Petroleum Marketing
Years in Nevada: 46
Years with Company: 22
Biggest Business Challenge: The biggest challenge in managing a business is to constantly be aware of all the conditions which make up the current business environment, and make the necessary operational changes to continue to compete under those conditions.
Greatest Professional Accomplishment: As a 2nd generation business manager, the accomplishment I am the most proud of, is succeeding my father as company president while maintaining an excellent relationship with him, in spite of the father/son business dynamic that can be challenging.
Worst Failure: I think my biggest mistakes in business, especially early on in my career, all relate to my propensity to misjudge character. Some of the people that I have trusted the most, and have considered the most loyal, have turned out to be some of the most suspect business relationships that I have had.
Most Valuable Lesson Learned: You can delegate authority, but you cannot delegate responsibility.
Company Goals: To provide security for the owners and employees of thecompany.
Best Business Advice: Have your annual financial statements audited.
