Name: Donna J. Curry
Title: Subway development agent and franchisee
Company: Donna Curry Investments, Inc., Downunder Grill & Pub, Inc., Johnna, Inc., Subways of Las Vegas, Inc.
Type of Business: Subway franchises
Location: Las Vegas
Years in Nevada: 26
Years with Company: 21
Biggest Business Challenge:
One would think I am in the fast-food franchise business. In fact, I am in the people business. Subway sandwiches could be the best in the world, but would not be recognized if customers were not given excellent service. If you do not choose and screen employees well, turnover will eat you alive. Building a loyal, efficient staff and recognizing their abilities and accomplishments is the key.
What do you like best about your job?
Each day I am tackling a different issue. I am never bored. I also have the opportunity to meet interesting people from all walks of life.
How do you spend your time when you’re not working?
I like to exercise daily and travel when time allows. I also enjoy sharing valuable quality time with my 5-year-old grandson, Myles.
Favorite Business Book:
Whoever Makes the Most Mistakes Wins, by Richard Farson and Ralph Keyes
Best Business Advice:
Never give up. Perseverance is the best virtue to acquire. Life and business are both like a roller coaster – just when you get to the top, you go down in a big hurry. One must be prepared to overcome the downs. A positive attitude will carry you far.
How has the recent trend toward healthier foods affected your business?
This trend has had a very positive effect on Subway. Since our product is low-fat and healthful, we are in the right place at the right time. Jarod, our spokesperson who lost over 240 pounds on the Subway diet, has been a great asset to the healthy campaign. With the introduction of new salads, Atkins-style wraps and low-fat sandwiches, we are definitely in the right business.
Name: Patricia Mulroy
Title: General Manager
Company: Southern Nevada Water Authority
Type of Business SNWA is a regional agency that manages water quality, water resources and water conservation for Southern Nevada.
Location : Las Vegas
Years in Nevada: 30
Years with Company: 19
Biggest Business Challenge: The biggest challenge facing communities along the Colorado River Basin, including Southern Nevada, is the drought. The river system is experiencing conditions not seen in at least 500 years. Right now about 90 percent of the community’s water is supplied by the Colorado River. The drought has required us to accelerate our long-term plan to further diversify the community’s water portfolio through the development of in-state water resources.
How do you spend your time when you’re not working?
As a wife and mother of two teenagers, my family occupies much of my time.
Favorite Business Book :
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, M.D.
Best Business Advice :
Respect, trust and empower your employees. And think outside the box.
What would you like your legacy to be?
I’d like to help Southern Nevada become a more sustainable community. Landscaping has the biggest impact on water use. New developments are being built with little impact on the water supply, thanks to new development restrictions. Record numbers of customers are replacing thirsty grass with water-smart landscaping. That helps the community with both immediate and long-term water savings. That is the legacy we can leave future generations.
Are efforts to convince people to conserve water succeeding?
The community has certainly met the challenge posed by the drought. In 2003, the community reduced water use by nearly 15 billion gallons compared to 2002, and more than a football field of grass per dayis being replaced through the Water Smart Landscapes rebate program.
Name Rod Cooper
Title Branch Manager, Nevada Operations
Company Granite Construction Company
Type of Business Civil engineering projects, grading, paving
Location Sparks
Years in Nevada 4
Years with Company 13
Biggest Business Challenge:
Preparing our people and our organization in Nevada for the future. The market – technology, competition, equipment and the business environment – is not static. It is a moving target we need to stay ahead of.
What do you like best about your job?
The people: those I work with at Granite, those we build projects for and those we provide with quality construction materials. I also enjoy the challenge of taking on a new project that provides value to the communities we work in. It can be a small driveway, a city street, a bridge, a freeway, a dam or even a railroad trench through Reno.
How do you spend your time when you’re not working?
I do some skiing during the winter. In the summer I enjoy spending time on my houseboat at Lake Oroville.
Favorite Business Book :
Sacred Cows Make the Best Burgers, by Robert Kriegel
Best Business Advice :
Be prepared for today and even more so for tomorrow. When necessary go on a “sacred cow” hunt.
What would you like your legacy to be?
He was fair, honest, a great leader, and a fun person to work with.
What benefits have you seen from Granite’s Employee Development Initiative?
The EDI program was established to assist in developing and furthering the skills of Granite employees. The program focuses on knowledge transfer and continuous learning, and is headed up by a full-time Employee Development Leader, dedicated 100 percent to ensuring the success of the program within each branch. The EDI program has allowed us to understand the strengths of our employees and to provide development opportunities, both work related and personal.
Name: Brian Cruden
Title: Co-Founder and President
Company: Insurcorp
Type of Business : Insurance consulting company specializing in employee benefits, property and casualty products and comprehensive financial planning.
Location : Las Vegas
Years in Nevada: 35
Years with Company: 12
Biggest Business Challenge: Staying ahead of the game. The insurance industry, especially group health insurance, is constantly faced with challenges due to the rising cost of healthcare, insurance carriers leaving the market and the constant evolution of products.
What do you like best about your job?
The people. My business isn’t just selling insurance. It’s about establishing valuable, trusting, long-term relationships with all of our clients. There’s nothing more gratifying than knowing I’ve made a difference in a client’s or individual’s life, and knowing that I have established a level of trust in a relationship whereby clients look to me for advice and direction, both on a business and personal level.
How do you spend your time when you’re not working?
When I’m not working, I like to spend as much quality time with my two daughters as I possibly can. I also enjoy boating and traveling. I devote time to other business and philanthropic interests, including my board of director seats for Silver StateBank of Nevada and Nevada Community Foundation.
What would you like your legacy to be?
In the general area of healthcare, I would like to be remembered as a strong voice in the community in regards to representing employers and the overall management and delivery of employee-benefit cost control. I am also a huge supporter of philanthropy and believe in educating people in the area of giving.
Favorite Business Book: The Road Less Traveled, by Scott Peck, M.D.
Best Business Advice :
Never give up. If it seems too easy, it probably is, so stay focused and go the extra mile. It will always pay off.
