Working in Clark County, a brief profile of interesting Clark County business owners or a worker in the public, private, or nonprofit sector. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.
Casey Wyckoff and his firm, LSW Architects, have helped shape Clark County with their designs of major public facilities including Clark College’s Gaiser Hall, numerous public schools, and the Luke Jensen Sports Park. “It is so rewarding. … I absolutely love what I do,” says Wyckoff, who started as an intern at LSW Architects 18 years ago and is now president. These days, Wycoff is investing his time and energy in pursuit of making a vibrant core in downtown, with even more restaurants and shopping.
Name: Casey Wyckoff, 360-694-8571.
Job/employer: LSW Architects, president.
Age: 40.
Education: Graduated from Washington State University. Has been with LSW for 18 years and president since 2012.
Residence: Felida.
How would you describe yourself: Creative.
Most rewarding part of job: I like helping people, seeing what abilities that I have and my firm has, to impact people’s lives. It is so rewarding … I absolutely love what I do.
Most challenging part of job: Being able to plan responsibly when the pace of change is so rapid. You have to be able to start or stop really quickly.
Personal/business philosophy: My personal philosophy is to give myself away. I view what I have, and the people that have been placed in my life, as opportunities or resources.
From a business perspective, we value long-term client relationships. Our firm serves a broad range of our clients’ needs, sometimes that extend beyond traditional architecture. We help our clients fulfill their core business objectives.
Favorite moment of my job/career: In 2005 our firm celebrated 50 years of existence and we held an art festival at Skyview High School. Hundreds of people turned out, so my favorite moment was being part of that celebration. I was in awe of the opportunity our firm had to be involved in the community. It re-enforced the perspective that what I do and what our company does has a significant impact throughout the community.
Something you would like to do over: 2008 was a difficult year. I am sure there would be opportunities to do things better during that year.
Best feature of my community: The best feature of my business community is the shared perspective that we all have a great future ahead of us. You get encouraged by (others), you have a shared view with them. I think the next 10 years will be amazing. Also our schools and parks community. Anywhere I go in our state or in Oregon, people already have a good perspective of the schools in our county.
What would make your community a better place: I think a more vibrant core downtown, with even more restaurants and shopping, would be a huge plus for our community. I am investing my time and energy in pursuit of that.
Favorites: Torque and Mon Ami coffee shops and La Bottega Cafe, Lapellah Restaurant and Willem’s on Main.
Hobbies: I like running, drawing and painting.
Volunteer activities: President of Vancouver’s Downtown Association, and on the boards of Columbia River Economic Development Council, Clark County Skills Center Foundation and International Children’s Care. I am also co-founder of Detour Ministries.
Favorite travel destination: Bigfork, Mont.
Most interesting book in last 12 months: “Love Does” by Bob Goff.
Favorite event: The Bigfork Festival of the Arts.
One thing you want to do this year: I want to give more middle school and high school students greater opportunity to participate in our office in short-term internships or job shadows.
Something you want to do within five years: I want to invent something great. And I hope that whatever it is, it becomes a local business or a source of employment and pride for our community.
Person you’d most like to meet: Billy Graham.
Person you’d least like to meet: Justin Bieber.
