Face to Face - July 2007

Face to Face

Pete Atkinson

President

Black Mountain Community Bank

Henderson

Years in Nevada: 15

Years with Firm: 7

Type of business:

Bank

Biggest business challenge:

Transitioning from 40 years in a loan officer’s frame of mind to an administrative frame of mind which included convincing friends and business associates to invest in a new bank.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

For years I envied my customers who had the foresight and courage to start their own business. It takes a lot of hard work to do successfully and it has been a great ride.

If you could start over and choose a different profession, what would it be?

Early in life I thought medicine was for me – I was even a pre-med student at one point. However, I’ve never regretted becoming a businessman.

How do you spend your time when you’re not working?

My wife, Sandy, and I have 11 children and 15 grandchildren and our lives seem to revolve around gymnastics meets all over the country, baseball and soccer games, camping and skiing trips.

Little-known fact about yourself:

I went to high school in Sarasota, Florida, which was then the winter headquarters for Ringley Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus. Our high school had its own circus and big top. I worked the trapeze.

Best Business Advice:

I have always believed that integrity, hard work and good common sense make almost anything achievable.

How do you retain and recruit skilled employees?

We have 26 employees and all but four were referred to us or a friend. We have only lost 11 people in seven years including two to retirement. Money certainly is a factor but being a good place to work is more important.

William D. Miles

President/CEO

Miles Construction

Carson City

Years in Nevada: 53

Years with Firm: 21

Type of business:

General Building Contractors

Biggest Business Challenge:

The performance of engineers and receiving timely and correct turnaround of documentation for the entitlement process. Also, the length of time it takes to get entitlements and permits.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy working with clients and learning about different businesses.

If you could start over and choose a different profession, what would it be?

If I had enough money, I would like to have a large insurance company of my own.

How do you spend your time when you’re not working?

I spend time with my family, hiking, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, working with the Boy Scouts of America and coaching various youth sports.

Little-known fact about yourself:

I love to look for and collect Nevada minerals.

Best Business Advice:

Surrounding yourself with good people to work with is your most valuable asset.

What do you think can be done to speed up the entitlement process?

If all the permitting entities in the area were consistent with requirements, it would help greatly. Also, minimizing staff turnover so that they are familiar with the process. It seems to me, that a lot of county and city governments finally get people trained and they move.