2007 40 Under 40 Honoree: Doug Lurvey

Doug Lurvey has built his company on the foundation of empowering talented individuals to work collectively and take ownership in the business.

Lurvey, president and CEO of Interactive Hotel Solutions, started the online hotel reservations provider in 2001 with only five employees.

Now with 45 employees and a management team in place, Lurvey said his most important personal and professional goals involve enhancing the opportunities available for employees through an employee stock ownership plan that was implemented in 2005.

“Over the last two years, IHS has contributed more than $500,000 to the employee ESOP accounts,” Lurvey said. “It is through this particular opportunity that each employee is able to take ownership and work to create a lasting company that remains profitable.”

Lurvey attributes his personal success to his employees and his company, which was one of Springfield Business Journal’s 2007 Dynamic Dozen honorees. Other recent awards for the company include a 2007 Ownership Culture Award from The Great Game of Business, and a No. 4 ranking among SBJ’s Best Places to Work in its category. In 2006, the company also was recognized for its open-book management culture in BusinessWeek’s summer magazine focused on small business.

Lurvey said several members of his family are entrepreneurs, and he hopes to pass that spirit along someday when he marries and starts a family.

For now, he’s focused on leading IHS, though he also finds time to offer financial support to several area organizations, including American Cancer Society, United Way of the Ozarks and Developmental Center of the Ozarks. He also encourages employees to search for opportunities to give back to the community, either financially or with their time.

Stats

Position: President/CEO, Interactive Hotel Solutions

Age: 34

Favorite professional sports team: St. Louis Cardinals

A quote to live by: “Pay now, play later – instead of play now, play a bigger price later.” – John C. Maxwell

Information accurate at the time of the honor.