Face to Face - September 2002

Face to Face

Name: Robert A. Albano

Title: President

Company: Rinker Materials West, LLC

Type of Business:

Ready mix concrete, concrete block and aggregate producer; construction materials retail outlet

Location: Las Vegas

Years in Nevada: 3

Years with Company: 5

BIGGEST BUSINESS CHALLENGE:

Currently, our biggest challenge is solving the problem of residential encroachment upon our 50-year-old Buffalo Road Quarry. Part of this challenge is building a long-term, major, high-quality quarry in another location that puts us in a position to remain in Southern Nevada for many years to come. Other notable challenges include the acquisition of Hanson Materials, implementing a nationwide name change from CSR America to Rinker Materials Corp. and turning around our safety record.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR JOB:

 I enjoy the fast-paced environment and the everyday differences that exist. I enjoy being on jobsites and around our people and customers, seeing our products in construction projects and knowing that we are physically a part of the Las Vegas structure. Also, I enjoy long-term strategic planning for the business.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME WHEN YOU ARE NOT WORKING:

With family, golfing, riding our four-wheel ATVs, dining out and going to the movies with my wife.

WHAT WOULD LIKE YOUR LEGACY TO BE:

I would like those who have known me to remember me as fair, honest, hardworking and a leader by example. I want to leave the business in better shape than when I acquired it.

FAVORITE BUSINESS BOOK:

 Pushing the Envelope by Harvey Mackay

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE:

Always keep the commitments you make to your customers. Spend as much time face-to-face with them as possible.

Name: Jimmy Lee

Title: Senior Partner

Company: Flanagan & Lee/Partners Financial Group

Type of Business: Financial planning and wealth management

Location: Las Vegas

Years in Nevada: 25

Years with Company: 8

BIGGEST BUSINESS CHALLENGE:

Our greatest challenge is to consistently lead and motivate our team to continually strive to be the best.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR JOB:

It is very fulfilling to see the planning we’ve done with a client come to life, such as little Johnny going to college using the money we saved, or delivering a life insurance check to a surviving spouse. We also cherish the relationships we have built with many clients and the gratitude they express for helping them become financially secure and independent.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME WHEN YOU ARE NOT WORKING:

I do a lot of traveling. I enjoy playing golf, basketball, working out and other physical activities. I enjoy learning as many new things as I can, which takes time. My family also participates in many of these activities with me.

WHAT WOULD LIKE YOUR LEGACY TO BE:

I want to be remembered as someone who cared deeply about his relationships with family and friends, someone who inspired others to better themselves, and as someone who gave back to his community.

FAVORITE BUSINESS BOOK:

Serious Money by Nick Murray

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE:

Make all business decisions consistent with your personal and professional mission. In business, you are always either improving or getting worse. So, concentrate on improving all the time.