Forward Janesville - TheReport - Spring 2016

While working at Lang Investments, just before Hendricks Commercial Properties, I learned a valuable lesson: details matter. I was a numbers guy, so I focused on the bottom line. Bob Lang, though, always understood that cheaper did not equal better. He was visionary. He knew how to build something quite remarkable and still make the numbers work. When I met Diane Hendricks, I could see she also shared that philosophy. I’m proud of our work to develop properties that will last for generations and leave a legacy. Generally, I get up at 4:30 in the morning and check all the hospitality numbers from the night before, workout, catch up on email, do a bit of reading, etc. It gives me a chance to get ahead before the 8:30 bell rings and things take off. HOW DID I GET HERE? s u c c e s s • c h a l l e n g e s • l i f e l e s s o n s • e d u c a t i o n • c a r e e r • f a m i l y • i n s p i r a t i o n s Listen more than you talk. I was so fortunate to work for a wonderful, conscientious and very respected developer, Bob Lang, early on. Watching him, I learned how important it was to keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut! He treated everyone with great respect and was a fantastic listener. As a result, he was enormously successful. 1 2 3 My dad was in the restaurant business. Early in my career, I worked with him at the Richfield Chalet. I knew it wasn’t right for me long-term, but it may have turned me into a foodie. Cooking, watching the Food Network, trying new places … I love it all. One of my favorites is Girl and the Goat in Chicago. And, locally, Merrill and Houston’s, Lucy’s, and Zen Sushi. Last year I took up wakeboarding—basically surfboarding behind a motorboat. I didn’t exactly start strong. I taught myself by watching YouTube videos! It is a great way to relax and have a great time. • While working with my dad, I met a local developer. He offered me an unpaid internship. It was the greatest learning experience. I didn’t know a thing when I started, but it wasn’t long before I knew this was the field for me. I loved every minute of it. When we were completing Ironworks in Beloit, I wanted to surprise Diane Hendricks with a custom American Flag art piece created by local artists that honored the building’s storied history—something that is so important to her. About midway through, she called and wanted to take a few family and friends on a tour of the space. We quickly put up a makeshift tarp, but it was really hard to hide. We just got lucky as she didn’t notice it. The end result is now proudly on display on the riverside of the Ironworks property. { LIFE LESSONS } SPRING 2016 • 15 We live in such a wonderful area. The work that Forward Janesville, the Greater Beloit Chamber, Greater Beloit Economic Development, Rock County 5.0 and so many others do is outstanding. At HCP, we work in a lot of different communities; the level of cooperation and respect I see here in Rock County is remarkable. The commitment to making our communities better and stronger—and working together to do this— is a major asset. We all need to support these efforts, not just with funding but with time and involvement. ROB GERBITZ Read everything you can. Be a sponge. When I started, I was young and dumb and knew nothing about this business. Learn from those around you, take classes, ask questions—do whatever you can to learn more and be the best you can be at your work. Frankly, the most surprising thing about my work is that I found it. I love the Steve Jobs quote, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.” I found my passion early in life, but age doesn’t matter. Haven’t found yours? Keep looking. • { WORK EXPERIENCE } 2009-PRESENT President and CEO Hendricks Commercial Properties, LLC Beloit, WI 1998-AUGUST OF 2009 NSL Holdings LTD/ Lang Investments Delafield, WI