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PROFILE
Listening to people: Jerry Hebert President of Grace Hebert Curtis Architects, an architecture and interior design firm that is still experiencing substantial growth in size and reputation after more than 50 years.
By LIISA ANDREASSEN Correspondent
T here are many things that Gerald “Jerry” Hebert is proud of, but leading GHC (Baton Rouge, LA) in bringing the region’s school architecture into the 21st century tops the list, professionally at least. Personally, it’s all about people. Having joined the firm in 1987, he’s seen ups and downs and many changes along the way, but he says there’s one constant that has and should remain the same – how people are treated. “As a kid, my dad always taught me to treat people with respect and integrity,” he says. “I try to recognize when people need help and learn from people all the time. I’ll never forget the time someone in need complimented my dad on his coat. He took it off and gave it to him. That’s always stayed with me – personally and professionally.” For example, Hebert recalls he had a staff member who was really struggling. He called him into his office to find out what was going on. He quickly learned that the young man hated drawing and preferred construction. Once he was moved into a new position, he became a fantastic employee.
“It’s all about listening to people,” he says. In addition to his dad, he’s been lucky to have several great mentors over the years – two specifically, were during his college years. One was a great technical architect who taught him how to understand the nuts and bolts of the building process and the other also taught him the value of treating people well. “It builds bonds when you’re invested in people,” he says. OPPORTUNITIES SPRING FROM CHALLENGES. That’s likely why the company has a great retention rate and also why clients keep coming back. GHC spends a lot of time working to develop trust with its clients and telling the truth is the main way it does that. Its open-book policy and transparent way of doing things instills confidence in its clients. “We don’t hide anything,” Hebert shares. “We work together to find a solution. I try to see challenges as opportunities and have the same philosophy when working with our contractors too.”
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