Face to Face - January 2009

Face to Face

Don Wilkerson

President & CEO

Gaston & Wilkerson Management Group

Las Vegas, Reno

Number of Employees: 78

Years in Nevada: 49

Years with Company: Founded 19 years ago

Describe your leadership style:

Permissive. I like subordinates to take part in decision making and also give them a considerable degree of autonomy in completing routine work activities.

Biggest business challenge:

There are a few: fast-changing technology, identifying and retaining the very best talent, business competition, risk management issues and sustainability.

Who inspired you to get into the business?

Like most property management professionals, by accident. I was a real estate appraiser and had the opportunity to invest in an apartment project. But since I was not happy with the local companies, I decided to form my own company with Dick Gaston.

Best business advice:

It’s time to focus on a return to fundamentals; getting back to basic economic truths. Owners want to improve or at least maintain value through strong real estate management—which that focuses on improving ROI by optimizing operating revenues and controlling expenses.

How do you retain your best and brightest employees?

I try to hire the best people I can at the outset. I also believe strongly in creating a family environment in the workplace, one that is upbeat and supportive and encourages people to succeed. When you encourage people to take personal ownership of a property under their oversight, I find that person will step up, take pride as an owner and make the right operational decisions.