Smart Business Magazine, January 2021

20 Smart Business January 2021 overcome our challenges that were not going to walk away from difficult situations he says It has really become the DNA of who we are Every project has challenges that require individuals who will push forward regardless of the obstacles and accomplish the goal I like to say that theres a mountain ahead of us and we dont know if were going to climb that mountain to get over it go around that mountain dig a hole through that mountain but were going to get to the other side Heller says And thats always been the attitude of people at NRP Prior to the opportunity Heller worked at Arthur Andersen Co in the real estate consulting division and spent time as a consultant for the Townsend Group overseeing 36 billion in real estate investments The Glenville project was never in Hellers mind a one off He undertook it with an eye toward scaling and making a business of it It checks so many boxes for me he says I was able to take my business background and at the same time use the skills that I had learned then take the passions that I have for repairing the world and really fuse those together From day one I knew that I wanted something that was scalable Heller as driven as he is to build on that mission that began in 1994 needs help to achieve it So hes built The NRP Group of which he is president and CEO to include more than 850 A players and talks to some 100 additional candidates personally each year to find those who fit the NRP mold Its a staff that must both realize and withstand the rigors of a constant upward growth trajectory and be trusted to execute the mission almost as if they were Heller himself financed the project and accountants who specialized in tax credits They would be the earliest examples of the A team Heller requires to realize NRPs mission As he began to build his team Heller says its been important to be upfront with each candidate about the demands and expectations of NRP employees Integrity teamwork high performance and professionalism are a few of the foundational values of NRP and they form the lens through which each candidate is judged You talk to them very openly about some of these challenges that we are a get it done organization that we COVER STORY The NRP Group Every time the new person comes in that youre hiring you should be hiring a better person J DAVID HELLER PRESIDENT AND CEO THE NRP GROUP DRILLING THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN Although hes capable driven and knowledgeable Heller says its a point of personal pride to recognize that he doesnt know everything I never have the need to be the smartest guy in the room Heller says And so constantly Im seeking out people and professionals and partners to this day that are smarter than me that have a better knowledge of what were trying to accomplish than me And that was what I did from the beginning For example he says the team on the first development in Glenville included attorneys who knew well the tax credit program that