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6Special Advertising SupplementCharles H.AtwellPresidentInnovative BusinessInteriors, Inc.Silver SpringJames M.BolandPresidentBolandGaithersburgSTATSSTATSAge: 55Education: attended Montgomery CollegeFirst job held: shoe salesman at age 15Hobbies: Renovating houses, photography,collecting old books, and cookingHelpful business book: The New Yorker Bookof Business Cartoons and The Little Green Book ofGetting Your Way by Jeffrey GitomerWould like todine with: Warren Buffet orJeffrey GitomerLife motto: "A man who limits his interests, limitshis life." -Vincent PriceWeb site: ibi-inc.comFounded: 1990 Employees: 5Age: 53Education: BS, business administration, GeorgetownUniversity; MBA, Loyola CollegeFirst job held: distributing residential airconditioning fliers to homesHobbies: working out, reading, politics, golfFavorite sports team: Washington RedskinsFavorite TV show or movie: The GodfatherHelpfulbusinessbook: ThinkBig by Ben Carson, M.D.Most admired person: his fatherWould liketodine with: Jesus ChristLife motto: “If it is to be, it is up to me.”Website: www.boland.comFounded: 1960 Employees: 320"There's no better complimentthan arepeat customer orreferral," said Charles H.Atwell. "In 20 years ofbusiness, wehaven't eaten any furniture frommistakes or had an unhappy customer,at least not that we're aware of."Having founded InnovativeBusiness Interiors, Inc.(IBI) with thebelief that his customer service modelwas superior, Atwell soon discovered avoid that his company could fill. Hisinterviews with customers, office andfacility managers, and architectspinpointed aneed for enhancedcommunication and follow-up."Youallare there for the sale and then…," iswhat heheard from them."When we can help acustomerwith an ergonomic solution or provide achair, keyboard, or ergo product forsomeone with special requirements orhelp them prevent injury, we gainsatisfaction from helping them workmore productively or morecomfortably," he said.IBI is in its 20th year of providingfurniture and design solutions tobusiness, education, health care, andgovernment customers intheWashington D.C. metropolitan area.IBI employees are encouraged toadopt "a customer-centered, proactivecommunications approach," he said, asthe company's competitiveness dependson it.As he continues to grow thebusiness, Atwell is looking to increasethe company's presence and footprint."We are hoping to acquire capitalizationfunding to provide for asmallexpansion of our sales effort aswell asexpand our showroom," he said. Doingmore with less has been the rallying cryfor many firms of late and IBI is nodifferent. "Developing an austerityprogram and budget has made IBI aleaner organization," he said.IBI recently was certified as aMontgomery County Green business, adesignation that indicates acompany ispart ofaninnovative leadershipmovement to green business operationsand help transition to asustainablefuture.Charitable giving has long been apart ofthe corporate culture at IBI.Thecompany provides both in-kind servicesand discounted products to nonprofitcommunity organizations inMontgomery County."We have givencountless chairs over the years asdonations," said Atwell, "and numeroushour of planning. Our employees serveon community boards and committees,and assist with special projects."Striking abalance between homeand office requires vigilance," saidAtwell. "[I like to] work hard andrecharge the batteries, renovate aweekend house, cook good food, andenjoy bargain wine."Atwell has learned much fromother top executives over the years. "Ihave some great friendships with CEOsof large organizations that are kindenough to share thoughts andinspirations," he said.His advice to new CEOs is to bewell rounded. "Know alittle about lots;hire to your weakness; and developgood support systems to bounce ideasoff and never lose the entrepreneurialspirit," he said. nAshis company celebrates 50years inbusiness, James M.Boland is excited aboutinnovations in energy andsustainability. "We have the answersto make new and existing buildingsbetter," he said. "Energy is ared,white, and blue issue. Our nationneeds to do abetter job controllingits energy consumption. Bolandmakes buildings better withoutsacrificing comfort."Boland represents products,services, controls, retail operations,and solutions to meet the HVACneeds of the community. "Our clientslook to us as aone-source, oneresponsibilitypartner for their variousenvironmental needs," said Boland.Community service is at theheart ofBoland's mission. Itscommunity awareness teamfacilitated several outreach campaignslast year, including acoat drive forInterfaith Works, atoy drivebenefiting St. Xavier Church, andbackpacks as well as aholiday givingprogram for needy students atGaithersburg Elementary School."The support oflocal educationis fundamental to our corporatemission," said Boland. We supportthe Washington Jesuit Academy andDon Bosco Cristo Rey High School.Internally, our commitment toeducation is evidenced by ourgenerous educational assistanceprogram. We need to work smarterevery day."Mission, trust, and teamwork arewhat Boland, as CEO, strives tocultivate. "Our mission is simple," hesaid. "Boland is aprofessionalservices company with apassion forservicing our clients. Internally, weaccomplish this mission through adeveloped team concept supportedby afoundation of trust. It's really apeople business and our associatesare simply the very best in thebusiness."The toughest business decisionsBoland faces involve personnel. "Asmy father said in 1960, 'Today, morethan ever, successful leaders inanorganization must be change seekers;always having aconstructivediscontent with existing practices.Anorganization without change seekerswill become rigid and atrophied.'"The company's biggest loss wasthe 2003 passing of Boland's father,the firm's founder and Boland'smentor. "Iammost proud of how ourassociates reacted to this event. Ourassociates were committed tohonoring his memory bymaking2004 our best year in business, up tothat time."Teamwork is essential and trustis fundamental. That's the adviceBoland would offer to new CEOs."Growth and development are onlypossible with effective teamwork," hesaid. n