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Q&A, from page 3

for our industry. We are proactively recruiting and recently hired a full-time recruiter. We have an aggressive model and it’s also helping to expand our geographic footprint because we’re looking in places we have not looked in the past. TZL: Are you married? Do you have children and/or pets? DA: I have two adult daughters. TZL: What’s one thing most people at the firm don’t know about you? DA: Most people know that I operate at about 150 miles per hour. However, I do actually put on the brakes from time to time. I’m happiest near a body of water with a cold beverage and I have four boats – all motor boats of course. I have no patience for sailing. TZL: What’s your best vacation spot? Do you have a dream destination? DA: I have a vacation home inWayland, Michigan. It’s where I can really decompress. I travel for business just about ev- ery week, so my dream spot is my home in Wayland. TZL: What’s the last book you read? DA: Accountability by Greg Bustin. It’s very relevant to our industry. TZL: What’s the last movie you saw? DA: I have a very short attention span and no patience for a movie. I watch the trailers. TZL: What’s the best piece of work-related advice you ever received? DA: I always liked Nancy Reagan’s motto: “Just say no.” It applies to many different things. In business, you have to know when to stay the course and to say no even if others are not happy about it. TZL: Who is a leader you admire? DA: I may get a lot of flak for this, but George W. Bush. He was not afraid to make decisions that might offend people. TZL: What activities do you enjoy outside of work? DA: Golfing and boating. TZL: What’s your favorite lunch? DA: There are two restaurants I really enjoy. One is located in Dallas – Hard Eight BBQ – and the other is the Village Cheese Shanty in Wayland. Anything from either of those places would suit me just fine. “We are proactively recruiting and recently hired a full-time recruiter. We have an aggressive model and it’s also helping to expand our geographic footprint because we’re looking in places we have not looked in the past.”

and how did you handle it? DA: The recession. It was the first time I felt like I was not in control of the business’ destiny. We had to lay people off and for me that was a personal failure. But, we survived and came out stronger. Communication was key and our busi- ness model was diverse enough which allowed us to stay afloat. TZL: What is your vision for the future of CR? DA: It’s easily measured in numbers. To grow 25 percent in net services revenue and 15 percent in profit net service revenue. Growth and profitability equal success and oppor- tunity. “We focus on core values and make sure that our values and those of our clients are well aligned. It’s important to not just hire anyone with a pulse. We’re selective about our employees and clients too.” TZL: Tell me about a recent project you are especially proud of and why. DA: Designing Princeton’s joint middle school/high school campus. It began with a detailed master plan. With the new high school being built on the old middle school’s site, phas- ing was a vital element of the design approach. The new middle school was constructed first, which paved the way for the old middle school’s removal. High school construc- tion began shortly after and was followed by the comple- tion of Viking Village. This centrally located, shared space includes a natatorium, arena-style gymnasium, perfor- mance theater, and music complex. Each school features science labs, art studios, and technology for project-based learning. Physical education and athletic facilities include weight rooms, wrestling rooms, and auxiliary gymnasiums. The music wing includes a 1,000 seat theater as well as stu- dios for vocalists, the band, the orchestra, piano, jazz, and theater. The district is committed to attaining LEED Silver certification. Key green design aspects include daylighting, enhanced acoustics and a chilled-beam mechanical system. The final phase of the master plan was a new athletic com- plex at the site of the old high school. Site renovations en- tail new softball and baseball facilities, a new middle school track, parking, and football and soccer practice fields, dually used for band practice. TZL: How have you helped your firm to stay competitive? DA: We have a solid business model. During the recession, we also had a chance to slow down and really examine what we were doing. We focus on core values and make sure that our values and those of our clients are well aligned. It’s im- portant to not just hire anyone with a pulse. We’re selective about our employees and clients too. TZL: Is there any news you care to share about what’s currently happening at CR? DA: We’re in a rapid growth mode. I believe it’s a good time

THE ZWEIG LETTER December 5, 2016, ISSUE 1178

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