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The Irondequoit Public Library in Irondequoit, New York. Passero Associates managed the entire project from start to finish as the architect of record and project manager, providing all architectural contract documentation and coordination. / Passero Associates
Don’t get distracted by peripheral stuff In the form of growth, profitability, and important projects, multidiscipline firm based in upstate New York is reaping the benefits of a well-executed ownership transition.
By LIISA ANDREASSEN Correspondent
Wayne Wegman: Self-assessor, good listener, ser- vant leader, and caring for staff and others. TZL: To date, what has been your greatest chal- lenge and how did you deal with it? WW: To guide the transition of leadership from the founder to the next leadership generation. We had to formalize the way we operate, set roles and re- sponsibilities, develop a system of accountability, measure performance, and set compensation based on results. Although it was challenging, I think we were successful as demonstrated by our growth and profitability over the past three years – 40 percent organic growth over the past two years. Our site en- gineering department has expanded their regional footprint into multiple states; our architecture de- partment has completed award-winning public li- brary and mixed-use building projects; and our avi- ation services department has expanded into the Caribbean, working on multiple airport projects. TZL: What is your vision for the future of Pas- sero? WW: We need to prepare for a labor shortage in the next 10 to 15 years. This could impact growth. We need to focus on recruitment, expansion of our in- ternship-to-hire program, employee engagement, and retention. I believe corporate culture can be See Q&A, page 4
I n 1977, when Wayne Wegman joined Roches- ter, New York-based engineering and architec- ture firm Passero Associates (Best Firm Multidis- cipline #5 for 2016), there were 10 employees and they mostly represented local residential and com- mercial developers. Today, Passero Associates has 85 employees and they’ve added offices in New York, Florida, and Ohio. Wegman’s had the privilege of spending a major- ity of his career at Passero Associates. He became a partner in 1986, was named president in 2005, and then became CEO in 2013. “Today, we work in more than 40 airports in five states and the Caribbean, and on development projects in 16 states,” he says. A colleague describes Wegman’s leadership style as “inclusive and collaborative,” adding that he’s also an open-minded relationship builder, visionary, and committed to the growth and development of people. He’s a continuous learner who constantly seeks feedback to improve. A CONVERSATION WITH WEGMAN. The Zweig Letter: What do you feel the key strengths are for an effective leader?
Wayne Wegman, CEO, Passero Associates
THE ZWEIG LETTER August 29, 2016, ISSUE 1166
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