We were formed in 2002. ... I was looking for an engineer to partner up with, and Mark Schober was in business with another engineer, and we ... decided to form a partnership.
We do mechanical and electrical engineering, primarily for commercial engineering. Plumbing is synonymous with the mechanical engineering.
We have two employees plus us three partners.
How did you become involved in the engineering field?
In high school, I took an interest in drafting. When I became a senior, I wanted to do more drafting, and Republic didn't have any drafting courses beyond general drafting. My shop teacher ... designed a course ... and I was the only one in the class.
After high school ... I took a job with Hood-Rich doing drafting work and surveying work. Once I got into the office, I learned more about the building side of architecture and engineering.
How did you become an engineering firm principal without an engineering license?
I started working with Hood-Rich in 1967, and I worked for Geoffrey Butler's father in the 1970s.
Then in 1978, Dave Smith and I started a business, Smith & Associates. That got me into the business on my own, but I couldn't do it without a registered engineer. You can perform engineering services under the direct supervision of an engineer.
We ran that for almost 20 years, and then we split up, and he's now at Smith-Goth. If it wasn't for David, I probably wouldn't be in this business as a principal at an engineering firm. (Being a principal) was never even a dream. I don't know what I thought I was going to do, frankly. Dave Smith is the one who put that in my mind ... and I'm thankful to him for that.
What's your role with LaRose & Schober?
I probably do more day-to-day management and administrative duties. Up until a few months ago, that's what I was doing. Now, all of our principals are back to getting involved with (finding) design work, because we don't have any work.
I do just a little bit of everything, meeting with clients ... and drafting, and going to projects to see how the work's been performed.
Did you ever consider getting your license?
No. (Life) just happens. You get married, you have kids, and you say, 'Man, I can't go to school. I've got to work and make a living." I had two opportunities to (go to school) in my life - at least two - and I thought I couldn't do it. I blew both of them.
Looking back, I most certainly could have, I just didn't think I could. With engineering, you're a little limited, because you have to go to an accredited engineering school ... and I just didn't have enough guts to (move).
How is your company dealing with the economy?
We're marketing a little bit heavier to more architects, trying to search for more work and tightening our belts. We've actually had, as a result of this downturn, the layoff of one temporary, part-time employee and two full-time employees. Other employee losses were through attrition. We started a scale-back a little more than a year ago, and we're hoping it's hit its bottom. We're calling our clients ... and we've looked at the competitiveness of our fees, which is a no-no in this industry, probably, but everybody else has, too.
We are not making the number of large project proposals that we did two years ago. The dollar volume of the work is smaller (and for us down) about 25 percent, which is significant.
Now that you're 60, what's next?
This firm wants to grow and expand our business. I will probably retire in the next 10 years, or at some point. This is where I'm going to end up.
I don't see another career, although I've always wanted to do something in light manufacturing. I worked for six years at Litton Industries. If I could think of some little gidget or gadget or whatever to build, I might tinker with that in retirement.
