Q+A: ED VANCE:

Treat employees like family, not commodities

Ed Vance founded EV&A Architects 12 years ago in Las Vegas, and says the firm is “writing more proposals and receiving more commissions every day as the economy improves.

Ed Vance is founder and CEO of EV&Associates Architects, a specialty design firm that serves the hospitality, commercial and health care industries. In the firm’s portfolio are designs for the Lucky Dragon resort, Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, Republic Services and the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Do you have any recent news you’d like to share?

In short, we’re busy again and it’s good. The economy appears to have recovered, we are writing more proposals and receiving more commissions every day, and we’re growing — so much so that we’re moving to larger quarters this year. Once we’ve settled in, we’ll announce a celebratory event marking our 12th year in business.

Describe the culture at EV&A.

If you ask anyone who works here, you’ll usually hear that we’re pretty much a family. Our culture is based fundamentally on trust and respect. To earn that trust, the firm gives employees tremendous freedom on the hours they work. While we say we have a 40-hour workweek, I don’t know anybody who really works 40 hours. The reality is if you trust people, and ask them to do something while treating them like a human being as opposed to a commodity, they’re going to work all sorts of hours. But they’re going to enjoy those hours as opposed to feeling enslaved in the office.

We trust that our staff will get the job done, and we have a strong belief in having an equal work/life balance. We believe our employees are more relaxed and happier knowing they are allowed to be good parents while understanding that the expectation is that their deadlines will be met. The result is a culture of confidence, respect and a low turnover rate.

What is the best business advice you’ve received?

Have you heard the cliché “Do something you love and you will never work a day in your life?” Well, clichés frequently become clichés because they are true. By doing something you love, you’ll quickly zero in on your path to success. So, if you are seeking the secret formula for success? Here it is in two words: Be nice.

I have worked with people who lead with aggression and forced compliance through fear. They ultimately failed. Leading with respect and encouragement builds loyalty and a culture of commitment. Good things happen to good people. Be nice.

What has been your most exciting or extensive project?

The World Market Center project in downtown Las Vegas would have to be at the top of that list.

How have you seen the architectural profession evolve over the past decade?

Even though the process and methodology have remained unchanged, the advent of building information systems (BIM) and their software has forever transformed the way we produce our deliverables. The result has been a more comprehensive and coordinated set of construction document deliverables, providing fewer conflicts in the field and fewer change orders, saving our clients time and money.

If you could change one thing about Southern Nevada, what would it be?

I don’t know if I would change anything as much as like to see us continue to improve our efforts to diversify our economy, our educational systems and health care institutions. We’ve made great strides over the past 20 years, but we have more work to do.

What’s your favorite place to have fun in Las Vegas?

TPC Summerlin. After 24 years of membership, I still can’t wait to get away and play. The design of the facility and the course, along with the incredible staff and management, make it our home away from home.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I see the company successfully continuing without me. And I hope I’ve done a good job setting it up for that success, but in 10 years I’ll be long retired.

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?

I’ve always loved Jackson, Wyo., although Denver is also a great city. St. Lucia (an island nation in the Caribbean) is awfully nice too, with its perfect weather and crystal-blue water.

Whom do you admire?

The list could go on forever, but the inherent qualities people possess that I admire are humility, integrity, work ethic and, most of all, honesty. A little talent in our business doesn’t hurt, though.

What is something that people might not know about you?

While living in Dallas, I joined a rock band, playing keyboards. We played in the finest dive locations throughout the Deep Ellum entertainment district in Dallas for two years. We eventually made a music video and submitted it to MTV’s competition show, Basement Tapes. They never returned our calls.

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