Face to Face - September 2005

Face to Face

Name: Jeff Eigenman

 Title: Project Manager

Company: Voit Development Company

Type of Business: Commercial real estate development

 Location: Reno

Years in Nevada: 39

Years with company: 3

Biggest Business Challenge:

Our biggest challenge is locating new development opportunities in the Reno/Sparks market. The market is tight, land is scarce and the competition in the market is fierce.

The creativity required in the development business and the autonomy of being the project manager are the largest benefits. There is an endless amount to learn, many bridges to build and doors to unlock. The challenge of creating something that will improve the area allows each day to be one of discovery and growth.

I enjoy traveling, spending quality time with friends and family and participating in recreational activities, including beach volleyball and alpine ski racing. I am an accredited professional alpine race coach with the United States Ski Association and Canadian Ski Coaches Association. I enjoy coaching junior athletes.

Best Business Advice:

Listen, listen and then listen some more, especially before you speak. One must also be humble and able to take criticism in order to learn.

I want to develop projects for Voit that make business sense and, most importantly, build lasting relationships with people in our community.

The Reno Tahoe Industrial Park in Storey County is going so successfully that many developers are looking to expand into that market. Northeast Sparks, Stead and North Reno are markets that are experiencing an increase in development because prices are affordable and land is available. In addition to raw land, there are opportunities for redevelopment of underutilized properties in infill locations.

Name: Sylvia Samano

Title: President

Company: SBC Nevada

Type of Business: Full-service telecommunications company

Location:  Reno

Years in Nevada: 3

Years with Company: 27

Biggest Business Challenge: SBC has evolved from a basic telephone provider into a full-service communications company offering state-of-the-art technology and services for its customers. I want to make sure current and future customers understand the comprehensive suite of products and services the company offers, and the tremendous expertise of the SBC team.

What do you like best about your job?

I’ve worked for SBC for nearly 30 years and I love every aspect of my job. Working in Nevada has been one of the highlights of my career. The community welcomed me when I arrived, and that friendliness, along with beautiful scenery, has made Nevada a wonderful place to live and work.

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

I travel to visit my family or spend quality time with my husband. We love the Lake Tahoe area. During the week, I work out as often as I can and try to find some quiet time to read a good book.

Favorite Business Book:

I just finished Personal History, the autobiography of Katharine Graham.

Best Business Advice :

 Work at something you enjoy and know that change is inevitable, so be flexible.

SBC has provided phone service for many years, but what new products and services is it offering now?

Long distance, Wi-Fi communications and DSL are some of the leading products SBC offers. The company has launched a number of Wi-Fi hotspots around the state in coffee shops, restaurants, hotels and recently at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. We are always adding new technologies to our services and we now make available television, Internet and wireless bundles of services over advanced broadband IP networks.