Vocon
About this Executive:
Name:
Deborah Donley and Paul Voinovich
Company:
Vocon
Interview Topics:
Interior Design, Architecture and Technology
Region:
Region 8 - Northeast Ohio
Vocon is a fast-growing, Cleveland-based design firm that specializes in interior design, architecture and technology. The firm is known for integrating space, technology and innovation to support the collaborative creative process, making workspaces tailored specifically to a client’s focus and workstyle.
Vocon aims to think and act from the client’s perspective to establish a workspace that supports their internal process to generate growth, profitability and sustainability. The firm has worked with such high-caliber clients as KeyBank, Goodyear, Continental Airlines, The Cleveland Clinic, The Cleveland Cavaliers, FirstEnergy and The Weather Channel.
I recently spoke with Vocon’s co-principals, brother-sister leadership team, Deborah Donley and Paul Voinovich. Donley founded Vocon on her own in 1987, and Voinovich later joined his sister as co-principal. The firm contributes much of its success to its people and a family-friendly, team-oriented culture.
Both born and raised in Ohio, Donley and Voinovich shared with me what Ohio has uniquely offered that has made Vocon successful.
Q: The Ohio promise is that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. Based on your experience, how authentic is the promise?
A: [Deb] Ohio’s best kept secret is that you can raise children in what feels like a small town with all the benefits and resources of a major city. With Ohio being centrally located, it’s easy to conduct business around the country while providing your children with a balance of culture and some of the best public and private schools around.
Q: With your strong Ohio roots, thinking about people you know, can you share a story of somebody in Ohio who, in your opinion, has achieved excellence both personally and professionally.
A: [Deb] My Uncle George (Voinovich) grew up in the Collinwood neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, and went on to become a U.S. senator and Ohio’s governor in 1991 while fulfilling his duties to the community and maintaining a happy family life.
Q: How would you characterize the Ohio Labor pool?
A: [Deb] Ohio’s labor pool is more diverse than people realize. Typically, people view Ohio as a manufacturing workforce. However, our professionals have a wide range of expertise and creativity. [Paul] I would have to agree with Deb that the professionals in Ohio possess a great deal of unrecognized talent. Vocon’s staff alone is comprised nearly 90-percent of Ohio graduates from Kent, Ohio State and the University of Cincinnati. I believe recent graduates find it easy to stay and start their careers here with the affordable housing available and reasonable cost of living.
Q: What alliances have you created with Ohio academic institutions that have served your business well over recent years?
A: [Deb] Vocon has a strong mutually beneficial relationship with Kent State University. Many of our employees teach at the University’s College of Architecture & Environmental Design, and as a result, we’ve gained access to many great interns and employees to help grow our Vocon family.
Q: Real estate professionals often say, “Location, location, location.” What are your thoughts on Ohio’s location and logistics capabilities?
A: [Paul] Geographic location is Ohio’s best and most unique feature that helps to make businesses more successful. Vocon chooses to run a national company from one location with our single Cleveland office, handling the firm’s workload for an entire country. Our central location makes it easy to access clients from coast to coast, and we can reach clients in New York and Chicago within the hour by plane.