“You build trust by trusting people.”
— Lloyd Rosenberg, President & CEO
That philosophy has allowed DMR Architects to become a top architecture, interior design and professional planning firm, with a practice that is among the industry’s most diverse and a team large enough to accomplish projects of any size.
Rosenberg has been building that team for more than 30 years, with a focus on mentorship, flexibility and the freedom to explore new areas and new technology.
We asked Rosenberg to share his thoughts on hiring and developing talent, as well as the ongoing role that DMR’s team plays in the commercial real estate industry.
■ You’ve built such a diverse practice. Does that happen organically or by design?
It’s probably both, but I certainly have always encouraged our staff to be independent and creative, provided it is within the scope of our project. By managing, monitoring and guiding them they are able to grow and we achieve the best outcome for everyone. And if they have a passion to do something, that’s great, because we empower them to push themselves to learn and develop personally and professionally.
At the same time, I’ve hired talented people that didn’t always fit the position we were trying to fill. So I step back and say to myself, ‘Well, are they talented? Could they do something else? Could they add value? Could they add another dimension to the firm?’ This approach has had such a positive impact on DMR.
■ What are you most proud of as you’ve assembled this team and created this business over three decades?
It’s several things: First, we have developed a brand and a name. That was one of my goals: I wanted anyone who introduces themselves as an employee of DMR to be immediately respected and thought of as someone who has real expertise.
I also invited in additional owners, each with their own talents and abilities, and mentored them. Today, my presence is less important. I’m not going to every meeting anymore, but I’m still here. The fact is, they are successful on their own, which is what I wanted
But I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve been able to develop people who have produced countless meaningful and important projects. We’ve developed so many special places that years later we continue to hear from people who are enjoying our work. I often hear from people who don’t know me, or who wasn’t there when I designed that building 25 years ago, say, ‘What a wonderful facility this is.’
Join the DMR team!
K-12 EDUCATION
Frank J. Gargiulo Campus,
Secaucus, NJ
INTERIORS
Blue Foundry Bank Corporate
Headquarters, Parsippany, NJ
PUBLIC
Montgomery Municipal Center,
Montgomery, NJ
RESIDENTIAL
Annin Lofts, Verona, NJ
