Each year, the Corridor Business Journal shines a spotlight on young professionals who have made a meaningful impact on the region early in their careers.
This year, we are proud to introduce you to the 19th class of Forty Under 40 honorees. In this post, you’ll find the honorees who are working in real estate and architecture.
Nathan Griffith
Associate Principal | Neumann Monson Architects
Age: 38
Residence: North Liberty, Iowa
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Education: Bachelor of Architecture
What was your first job? Picking weeds for Dostal Catering
Best advice you ever received? Lead by serving others.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you? I love those little ham and cream cheese rolls with a pickle in the middle. Those things are delicious!
What’s the biggest issue facing the Corridor, and why? Youth access to the arts. As a kid my parents exposed me to both visual and performing arts and it shaped who I am and what makes me happy. I want to help give every young person in our community an opportunity to find an activity in the arts that brings them joy.
What are your passions outside of the workplace? My family. My wife and kids provide an endless supply of love and energy. I also love to ride my bike, read the occasional Dan Brown book, listen to a little Mumford & Sons, sketch a design idea in my sketchbook, play catch with my son, shoot a few hoops with my daughter, go for a walk with my wife.
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? Eastern Iowa Arts Academy and the Iowa Architectural Foundation.
What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace? We find fulfillment in working hard and playing hard. Make way for us! It’s our time to lead and we are ready.
What do you want to accomplish by the time you are 50? I’d like to have successfully launched my kids into studies and careers they are passionate about. I’d like to have helped shape Cedar Rapids into a thriving destination for young people with architecture. I’d like to have finally finished my home renovation so my wife and I can come home and relax!
Nick Lindsley
Associate Principal/Architect | Neumann Monson Architects
Age: 38
Family: Wife, Kaye
Residence: Iowa City, Iowa
Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa
Education: Iowa State University – Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies
First job: Pollinating corn on a research farm
Who do you consider your local mentor? Tim Schroeder, president, Neumann Monson
Best advice you ever received? In everything you do, find balance.
What do you consider your “big break” in your career, so far? If anything, it was getting a job after college in the middle of a recession. Since then, I’ve been focused on steady, consistent growth and development.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you? I’m an amateur beekeeper.
What’s the biggest issue facing the Corridor, and why? Affordable housing. Like many places in the country, our area is experiencing housing shortages and will see that increase in the coming years. With seemingly everything rising in cost, it can be very difficult for lean household budgets to align with the contemporary expenditures of living.
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? United Way. They have the best pulse on the needs of our communities and the nonprofits who serve them.
What are your passions outside of the workplace? Getting involved in community causes, spending time with friends and family, dabbling in home projects, and traveling to far-flung places.
What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace? All generations have similar strengths if you get down to the individual level. From a cultural standpoint, millennials are unique in that we span the pre-digital/digital divide during our formative years — it’s a strength that encourages adaptability.
What do you want to accomplish by the time you are 50? See my mentees find success and grow into community leaders (and 40 Under 40 recipients!)
Allison Mackin
Realtor and Broker Associate | Watts Group Real Estate
Age: 28
Family: Husband, Payton; daughter, due Oct. 25.
Residence: Solon, Iowa
Hometown: Hawkeye, Iowa
Education: Real Estate salesperson and Broker License
Best advice you ever received? Relationships are key. Collaborations instead of competition will allow you to reach your goals quicker.
What do you consider your “big break” in your career, so far? Landing my current role at Watts Group. I have had countless opportunities to meet other local business men and women to help further my career in real estate and to be more active in the community. I owe a lot of my success and motivation to my colleagues and mentors.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you? Most people would be surprised to learn that I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from the University of Iowa.
What’s the biggest issue facing the Corridor, and why? One of the biggest issues facing the Corridor is employee retention among the current employers. There are numerous individuals who are great at what they do; unfortunately, there is also high turnover. We have lots of students that come from all over to attend our colleges and universities. Most students don’t realize all that the Corridor has to offer.
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? Cancer research.
What are your passions outside of the workplace? I have partnered with Kirkwood Workplace Learning Connection to give local high school students opportunities that allow them to understand real estate investments and entrepreneurship. In my free time, I spend lots of time with my family and cheering for the Hawkeyes!
What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace? We value continuous learning and career growth. We will take advantage of personal development and other mentorship opportunities.
Brent Votroubek
Realtor/Entrepreneur | Skogman Realty
Age: 38
Residence: Hiawatha, Iowa
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Education: California State University – Bachelor’s degree
Who do you consider your local mentors? Zach Johnson, professional golfer, and my parents, Mark and Wendy Votroubek, Realtors with Skogman Realty. Growing up with aspirations to become a golfer, I found a mentor and an inspiration in Zach Johnson. As a fellow Cedar Rapidian who defied the odds to make it on the PGA Tour, his success resonated deeply with me.
Best advice you ever received? Dreams without goals are just dreams.
What do you consider your “big break” in your career, so far? The extensive nationwide network I’ve cultivated, born from a relentless passion for growth, travel, and connection with others. A native of Cedar Rapids, I graduated from Kennedy High School with the distinction of earning the most credits in the school’s history. Ultimately, my path led me back to Iowa, where I’ve focused on growing my real estate, Jimmy John’s franchise and Scooters franchise business and nurturing my family. Today, I stand on the threshold of new opportunities, exploring dual licenses as a Realtor in both Arizona and Iowa.
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? Education, schools, and teachers. Education is the cornerstone of personal growth, community development and societal progress.
What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace? Raised during the rise of personal computing and the internet, our generation possesses a unique blend of adaptability to new technologies and appreciation for human interaction. We’ve navigated the rapid evolution of digital landscapes, embracing tools like social media and artificial intelligence, without losing sight of the importance of personal connections.
What do you want to accomplish by the time you are 50? I aspire to solidify the core values that anchor my life, crafting a foundation of family, finance and fitness that assures stability and fulfillment, whether I’m present or not.
The class of 2023 will be honored Oct. 19 at a ceremony sponsored by the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business and Cedar Ridge Distillery at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Cedar Rapids. Tickets are available until Oct. 11.
