,

Member Highlight – Erik Swendseid

Name: Erik Swendseid
Title: Vice President – Design
Company: EV & A Architects

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?  Outside of work, I like to be outside! It could be throwing or hitting a ball, fishing by a campsite, driving with the tops off, or even doing yardwork. I try to take advantage of all the fresh air I can.

What do you want your legacy to be in the Southern Nevada Community?  I am inspired by so many aspects of Southern Nevada’s environment, from the eclectic and outspoken to the balanced and subtle elements that shape our community and environment. I hope to contribute to that dynamic mix in a way that reflects a fearless spirit, showing we weren’t afraid to be bold. This city thrives because of the many voices and visions that make it great, and it would be an honor for my work to stand alongside those who came before me and those still to come.

What do you hope to get out of your participation in NAIOP?  The local chapter in southern Nevada is truly a fantastic gathering of aspiring thinkers and doers, I mean who doesn’t like to be around this group of thoughtful and ambitious people? I’ll just try to contribute as much as I take, keep exploring better ways to do things, and do my best to ensure the work we do is as valuable as it is inspiring.

/by
,

Member Highlight – Larry Curtis

Name: Larry Curtis
Title: Principal Architect
Company: FFKR Architects

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?  I have always practiced martial arts, and now I study Win Chun Kung Fu.

What motivates you to work hard?  My motivation is simple, my clients. The legacy I help my clients to leave on their communities, their companies, and their families becomes part of my legacy. As an Architect, I am uniquely capable of designing our built world and capturing the vision and desires of my clients.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?  The team I have built is my greatest achievement. I have built a team that has an incredible amount of expertise and has given us the opportunity to do massive projects, including high rise multifamily, hospitality, and office projects.

/by
,

Member Highlight – Myles Bendavid

Name: Myles Bendavid
Title: Financial Analyst
Company: Mark IV Capital

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?  Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, golfing, weightlifting, playing basketball, skiing, playing tennis, and cooking.

What is your ultimate career goal?  My ultimate career goal is to successfully complete multiple development projects and build a personal portfolio of five or more commercial properties. This portfolio would provide long-term financial freedom and allow me to partially retire – though I never intend to fully retire, as I plan to remain active in my work for as long as I am physically able.

What motivates you to work hard?  My primary motivation for working hard is to provide the best possible life for my future family and children. My parents dedicated themselves to giving me an amazing life, and I aspire to do the same, if not more, for my own kids.

/by
,

Member Highlight – Scott Acton

Name: Scott Acton
Title: CEO
Company: Forte Specialty Contractors

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?  Outside of work, I love traveling. I enjoy stumbling upon unique pieces of architecture and usage of materials for inspiration and seeing how other cultures have created environments that they call home. I love enjoying a fine meal at a new restaurant. I’m a car enthusiast and love attending a good concert!

What motivates you to work hard?  Stay out of trouble! I have to put my very busy brain to work or I will find myself in a bind! For me, to live is not to just exist – to live is to continue evolving, growing, changing, which means creating for me. I find my motivation in continuing to find newer, faster, more efficient methodologies in different construction trades. There is nothing I find more rewarding than helping someone learn to grow; I have had an amazing career and I have so much to pass on!

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?  I would prefer to live near the ocean with a piece of land large enough for a greenhouse/garden. Ideally, it would be where my kids are as well, and some where I could walk to get coffee every morning and have enough space to myself but also a place to foster community with other creatives!

/by

NAIOP Members Winning Awards at NCA 2025 Contractor of the Year Program.

Congratulations to our NAIOP Members who won awards at the NCA 2025 Contractor of the Year Program.

  • Bergelectric Corporation
  • Kevin Burke, Burke Construction Group
  • Builders United
  • Ben Bojda, Dominion Environmental Consultants
  • Farrell Roofing
  • Helix Electric
  • McCarthy Building Company
  • The PENTA Building Group
  • Taylor International
  • UES

See the full list of winners HERE.

/by
,

Member Highlight – Ryan Holden

Name: Ryan Holden
Title: Director of Business Development
Company: The Concord Group
# years in the industry: 10 years

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived in Las Vegas:

I’m originally from Chicago and have lived in Las Vegas for 5 years now.

What has NAIOP provided you that has helped you grow professionally or personally?

NAIOP has been key in helping me to develop my professional network in Las Vegas.

What has been your favorite experience or story that happened at NAIOP event?

It’s great to meet new and interesting people at every event. NAIOP events are always fruitful.

Who have you met at a NAIOP event that has influenced you or that you have become close friends with?

Micah Durham from Nevada General Construction was my first professional meeting for The Concord Group. He gave me great advise, encouraged me to join and I would definitely consider him a friend.

What do you want your legacy to be in the Southern Nevada community?

I want to be able to drive by significant projects/builds and know that The Concord Group and I were an integral part of delivering those projects and turning plans into reality.  I want Nevada to be a better place because I live here.

/by
,

Member Highlight – Brett Rather

Name: Brett Rather
Title: Principal
Company: CAST
# years in the industry: 10 years

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived in Las Vegas:
A true local of Las Vegas and I am proud to be a third general native!  GO REBELS!

What has NAIOP provided you that has helped you grow professionally or personally?

The most important currencies are relationships and reputation. NAIOP gave me the opportunity to meet and bond with the best in the business. NAIOP also holds many education programs and seminars to show each sector of the industry and keep us aware of all the latest trends, technology, deals, and growth throughout the valley. And gaining that knowledge from our industry leaders is what NAIOP is all about.

What has been your favorite experience or story that happened at NAIOP event?

Spotlight Awards is the best night of the year! This business is extremely competitive and this is the one time of year that we all get to dress to the nines and congratulate each other for all of our hard work in striving to create a better City for the future and giving back to our chapter.  If you haven’t experienced one of these, mark your calendars for next year!

Who have you met at a NAIOP event that has influenced you or that you have become close friends with?

My business partner Steve Neiger. Before he and I worked with each other, the first thing he told me to do was to get involved in NAIOP. I joined the Membership Committee and still remain on that committee to this day to help new people to the industry learn as it taught me. I started in brokerage by myself, without a team, and the information I gained from NAIOP and the relationships I forged was worth every penny to build my career.


What do you want your legacy to be in the Southern Nevada community?

We really lacked fun and exciting venues in the suburbs when I was growing up here.  At CAST, we are going to continue redeveloping and reshaping our city to enhance the everyday lives of locals.  I hope to be sitting at one of our future projects one day during happy hour, and seeing everyone around smiling and having a good time. That to me is one of the highest achievements I can aim for. We should all want to leave our career knowing we made an impact that created a better experience for us and for future generations.

 

/by
,

Member Highlight – Carol Browning

Name: Carol Browning
Title: Marketing Manager
Company: DC Building Group
# years in the industry: 16 years

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived in Las Vegas:
I am from South Bend, Indiana (yes, I am a huge Notre Dame fan!). I moved to Las Vegas in 2005. So, 18 years.

What has NAIOP provided you that has helped you grow professionally or personally?

Networking opportunities where I can connect with professionals in the industry. These opportunities are valuable in building relationships as well as gaining insight from peers. I would also say access to industry information. NAIOP provides information regularly to keep members informed about industry news and developments.

What has been your favorite experience or story that happened at NAIOP event?

There are lots of stories, but I would say dressing up for the 70’s NAIOP event in 2022 and winning first place for women’s best costume. Sorry Jen Levine!

Who have you met at a NAIOP event that has influenced you or that you have become close friends with?

Melissa Eure from GC Garcia. She has a wealth of knowledge and is very good at what she does. Recently I had the opportunity to speak to UNLV students during their real estate class with Melissa. I learned so much from her regarding entitlements.

On a personal note, I am passionate about Heaven Can Wait Animal Society and have been a supporter for many years. Come to find out Melissa is the President on the Board of Directors for the shelter. We are huge dog lovers!

What do you want your legacy to be in the Southern Nevada community?

That I made an impact in the Las Vegas community not only professionally but with charitable organizations. My passion is to help others in need and I do this by volunteering my time. It makes me feel good to know I can help make a difference.

 

/by
,

Member Highlight – Melissa Eure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Melissa Eure
Title: President
Company: G.C Garcia, Inc.
# years in the industry: 8

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived in Las Vegas:
I’m originally from Kansas City, KS and have been living in Las Vegas for 32 years.


What has NAIOP provided you that has helped you grow professionally or personally?
Access to others in the same or related industries. If I need a contractor, an engineer, a realtor I can find one at a NAIOP event. The breakfast and the learning events also help me get a better understanding of current events affecting our field.


What has been your favorite experience or story that happened at NAIOP event?
At one of the golf tournaments, we sponsored the ‘hole in one’ contest and to make the shot more difficult, they added a toilet seat.  It made it rather memorable and fun.

Who have you met at a NAIOP event that has influenced you or that you have become close friends with?
Carol Browning with DC Building Group. She is an amazing person. She was very open and friendly with someone she had never met and helped introduce me to others. She serves on at least one committee with every organization she is a part of, in addition to her regular job. I have no idea where she gets the time or energy. Most of all, we share a love for animals and dogs. I serve on the board of the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society and she, along with everyone at DC Building, have been happy to support me and the organization.

What do you want your legacy to be in the Southern Nevada community?
To expand the company my father started, to be remembered well, and to have used my position not only to help create a healthy community through the work we do with developers and the local municipalities but by giving back to our community in ways I and my employees find meaningful.

/by