Fieena Zvenyach
President/CEO
IBC Engineering Services Inc.
N8 W22195 Johnson Drive, Suite 180, Waukesha
www.ibcengineering.com
Industry: Mechanical, electrical and plumbing design engineering
Employees: 30
Family: Husband, Lev; an adult son, David; and two grandchildren.
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
“We believe that our employees are our company’s greatest asset and in step with this belief, we have started the process of transitioning the company into in an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). The process will take several years to complete, but will be very positive for both our company and employees.”
What’s new at your company?
“Our Washington, D.C., office is developing a new market segment focusing on energy planning and energy analysis. Rapid changes in policies, industry standards and tools available present a need for independent analysis and creative solutions both in design and utilization of buildings. This analysis will enable us to bring additional financial resources to clients and projects nationwide.”
Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
“We increased our staff by 10 percent last year and are planning to add another 5 to 7 percent in 2016. Additionally, we are continuously recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent. In terms of capital improvements, we are constantly upgrading software and hardware; it’s imperative in our industry to stay current.”
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
“Our industry is very competitive and demanding, so maintaining a high level of employee engagement while maintaining our high quality standards will be one of our main challenges.”
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
“Resilience. Essentially, it’s the capacity of a high-performance building to adapt to changing conditions and to maintain or regain functionality and vitality in the face of stress or disturbance (such as storms and other natural disasters that have grown more severe recently). Resilience is just as important a consideration for existing buildings as it is when designing new. More and more, our clients are thinking about managing the impact of a changing environment on our buildings and the functions they support.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“No surprises! The last job I held before starting my own firm was with GE Consulting Services, and one of the lessons I had learned at GE became my personal mantra of ‘no surprises,’ meaning you can deal with any issue if you are prepared.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“For a number of years, I have been a member of both MMAC CEO Roundtable and TEC. Working with a group of CEOs from a variety of industries has given me a broader view on the business world, both personally and professionally. These confidential forums of experienced executives have provided wisdom and counsel, which has been invaluable from a business standpoint.”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“The best advice I ever received was to live by the Golden Rule: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’”
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?
“In the early ‘80s, my job required me to carry a pager. While I was at a local farmers market, having just told the vendor that I was originally from Russia, my pager went off. Immediately, the vendor’s eyes became enlarged and he presumed that I was a Russian spy!”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I like to read and cook in my free time. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends. I am currently cooking my way through ‘Modernist Cuisine at Home’ by Nathan Myhrvold.”
