Dave Woodward shows his staff a good time.
If you ever walk past Dave Woodward's office be careful as you just might get hit with a Nerf ball launched from the CEO's extensive Nerf gun collection. Laramar Communities' Woodward undoubtedly works hard, but he also knows how to kick back and enjoy life.
“He has a wonderful sense of humor,” says Mary Rogers, a regional manager for Laramar, who recalls a classic Dave moment when he playfully tossed lemons at a colleague.
Woodward's playful antics are a big hit with his employees, who also view their boss as a friend. He says hi to everyone he passes as he walks down the hall and frequently pops in and out of offices for a friendly chat. “When Dave is here, the whole attitude of the place lifts because he always stops in and sees everyone,” says Scott McMillan, Laramar's controller.
And truly, there's never a dull moment at the Greenwood Village, Colo., headquarters. On the last Friday of each month, the staff participates in a hole-in-one golf competition (right in the hallway) to win a bonus vacation day. And in the fall, employees try their hand at the annual Thanksgiving turkey bowl, where they get two chances to heave a frozen turkey down the hallway and knock over a giant pyramid of holiday-themed canned food. On rainy days, employees just might be lucky enough to get a special e-mail from Woodward with a pop quiz on Laramar trivia. The winners claim their prizes—typically Laramar logo products—in the CEO's office. Watch out for flying Nerf balls.
