Face to Face - July 2004

Face to Face

Name: Craig S. Galati, AIA

Title: Principal

Company: Lucchesi, Galati Architects, Inc.

Type of Business: Professional consulting firm providing architecture, planning, community outreach facilitation, sustainability, research, survey, design and analysis

Location: Las Vegas

Years in Nevada: 36

Years with Company: 16

Biggest Business Challenge:

Establishing a true company vision that everyone can share. Most companies have a vision that comes from the owners, not from the employees. Once the vision is established, people can start applying it. It’s also a challenge to develop a culture in which people can unleash their potential.

What do you like best about your job?

My position gives me the opportunity to work with highly creative people and also to contribute to the community. Most of all, I like to help clients achieve their goals. The buildings I design are just a means to the end, and that end is to help the people working inside the building to succeed. Their surroundings affect their attitude and how they work together and also help the company develop its image and its brand,

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

Coaching Little League baseball, enjoying time with my family, camping, and listening to music.

Favorite Business Book:

Good to Great, by Jim Collins

Best Business Advice:

Be diligent in your hiring. Hire the best people you can and work together with them to service your clients.

What would you like your legacy to be?

I would like to be known as a person who really cared about his colleagues, clients and community – someone who was honest and made a difference in their lives.

What is unique about your firm?

We recently hired a sociologist and are working to integrate architecture and sociology in our practice, which has been very well received. In order to design environments to help people work together, you have to understand organizational dynamics and other social aspects of the workplace.

Name: Sandra Bate

Title: CEO/President

Company: Bates International Motor Home Rental Systems, Inc.

Type of Business: International RV rental franchise company

Location: Las Vegas

Years in Nevada: 24

Years with Company: 7

Biggest Business Challenge:

Effectively growing the world’s first and only RV rental franchise. It’s also a challenge to fulfill the ever-increasing demand for rentals. We are focused on increasing the RV fleet in high-volume, gateway destinations.

What do you like best about your job?

Participation in international travel and RV trade shows. I enjoy the interaction with people from all parts of the globe. I also like writing email business updates, and researching and writing articles for our in-house publication, Bates Motor Home Network News International. I enjoy developing franchises, which includes writing and updating the policies and procedures manuals.

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

Much of my leisure time is spent reading books and magazines, especially inspirational, health and business books. Yoga is my preference to simply unwind. I work out at a gymnasium four days a week, play tennis and dance. I also enjoy relaxing on a slant board and hot rock massages.

Favorite Business Book:

Best Business Advice:

Listening is among the greatest unrecognized skills of business leadership. The art of public relations is essentially a great management practice. Satisfied customers are the best advertisement. Branding is incredibly powerful.

What would you like your legacy to be?

To leave a successful, prospering international RV rental franchise that gives the public an opportunity to enjoy the world in comfort and safety.

What are the advantages of having your company headquarters in Las Vegas?

It’s an international hospitality and tourism destination that’s perfect for training and refining the RV rental franchise application.