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.
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.
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!
https://naiopnv.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-NAIOP-SNV-Transparent-Header-Logo-and-Badge.png00NAIOP Southern Nevadahttps://naiopnv.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-NAIOP-SNV-Transparent-Header-Logo-and-Badge.pngNAIOP Southern Nevada2025-07-29 10:22:032025-07-29 16:01:07NAIOP Members Winning Awards at NCA 2025 Contractor of the Year Program.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Name: Art Greene Title: Client Relations Manager Company: Geotechnical & Environmental Services # years in the industry: 1 1/2
Where are you originally from and how long have you lived in Las Vegas: I grew up in the small town of Mount Shasta on the California/Oregon border. I moved to Las Vegas in 1985 to attend UNLV. Go Rebels!
What has NAIOP provided you that has helped you grow professionally or personally?
NAIOP helped create an almost instant network of industry friends. I’ve been able to build real relationships with people from all aspects of the commercial real estate industry. The network has helped to fast-track my learning process and open doors to opportunities.
What has been your favorite experience or story that happened at NAIOP event?
My new member coffee has been my favorite event. I was able to meet a lot of people and learn not just what they do, but who they are. Our group is diverse and part of the fun is learning what people do when they are away from the industry.
Who have you met at a NAIOP event that has influenced you or that you have become close friends with?
I have only been a member for a year and I already have a long list of people that have influenced me and I have become friends with. We’ve gone to lunch and cheered on our home teams at the Allegiant and T Mobile arenas.
What do you want your legacy to be in the Southern Nevada community?
People always want to do business with other people they know, like and trust. Maybe that’s why I like NAIOP so much. I’d like to be known as the guy who built relationships and connections professionally and personally.
Name: Larry Curtis
Name: Myles Bendavid
Name: Scott Acton
