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The Gorecki Alumni Center at the University of North Dakota. JLG designed the building as a LEED platinum facility. / JLG Architects
Fargo, for sure Lonnie Laffen, CEO of JLG Architects, is a Bison who likes burgers and fries, a big motor bike, but not politics.
By LIISA ANDREASSEN Correspondent
For example, he played basketball and would stay on the court to play in the band at halftime. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” he says. A CONVERSATION WITH LAFFEN. The Zweig Letter: What are some of the most sig- nificant changes you have seen since founding the firm? Lonnie Laffen: There are a few. These top the list: ❚ ❚ Specialization has created larger teams and more collaboration for each project. ❚ ❚ Sustainability has been a great change, but I think we are just scratching the surface, especially in en- ergy usage. ❚ ❚ The computer has allowed us to better visualize the end product and has greatly reduced the time it takes to get to construction. ❚ ❚ The iPhone has eliminated the need for 90 percent of my desk space. See Q&A, page 4
T wenty-seven years ago, Lonnie Laffen, presi- dent and CEO of JLG Architects (#4 Best Firm Architecture and #75 Hot Firm for 2016), estab- lished the firm in Fargo, North Dakota. Over time, JLG has grown to more than 100 “blue chippers” and Laffen says he is privileged to work with them each day. “I’m a work in progress and my leadership style continues to evolve, but I try to find great people and let them run.” Prior to founding the firm, Laffen graduated from North Dakota State University in 1982 and worked for design firms in Des Moines, Iowa, and in Fargo. He grew up in a small farm town in North Dakota, where he says you had to participate in everything.
Lonnie Laffen, Founder and
CEO, JLG Architects
THE ZWEIG LETTER September 26, 2016, ISSUE 1169
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