SESSIONS B5-B- Deploying Key Performance Indicators for the Growing and Modern Firm

Many landscape architecture firms have thrived through this most recent construction boom, using the opportunity to grow capacity and staff. It is an exciting time, no doubt, but many firms now need to turn their attention to the long-term sustainability of the business regardless of economic conditions. This talk will focus on the eight performance indicators (KPIs) that all design firms should be tracking. Each KPI provides a look into a specific aspect of the firm, where collectively, all indicators will assist in measuring the health of your business and guiding management decisions. Yes, there will be a few math equations, but leave your calculator at home. During his 14 years at Design Workshop, Drake Fowler served as the Operations Manager for the Asheville office and Denver corporate headquarters. He is currently the Chief Financial Officer for The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville.   Drake is a licensed Landscape Architect who holds an MBA degree from Western Carolina University.

Learning Objectives:

1.      Quality Control and Quality Assurance related to construction documentation and the technical construction documents needed for successful projects.

2.      Learn best practices for proper Project/Site management

3.      Preparing proper construction documentation to protect the general public.

Lecture and Powerpoint with Audience Participation

Drake Fowler

Drake serves as the Deputy Executive Director and also functions as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer for The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. In his role, Drake directs the Arboretum’s finance, development, horticulture, facilities, and information technologies departments. Managing the NC Arboretum’s 10-million-dollar annual budget, Drake directs daily operations and organizational strategy. 

Before joining the Arboretum in 2015, Drake worked twelve years for Design Workshop, an international award-winning landscape architectural firm, serving as the operations manager for both the Asheville office and the flagship office in Denver, Colorado. In this role, Drake worked with the firm’s president and partners, developing firm strategy, finance, revenue projections, fixed asset management, human resources, and daily operations.