January 20, 2014 by CallisonRTKL

Remembering a Leader

I am lucky that I’ve had good role models who helped shape my life and career. At the top of my list, I place my father and Charlie Lamb. In many ways, they were very similar. They both taught me to work hard, be patient, put others first, be humble and by doing so good things will come to you. These are very special lessons that continue to guide me through life.

I ended up at RTKL quite by accident; I was to attend an interview with KMD while studying at The University of Minnesota. However, they did not show up on campus and RTKL did. My classmate said he was not going to interview and offered me his 9 a.m. slot. I’m really glad that I took the offer.

I sat with Charlie and we had a very good discussion on my experience and my work. He said that I looked like a good candidate, but he really did need to see some of the others after me. So we parted ways and I went back to my studio. It was only about 15 minutes later, or so it seemed, when I felt someone standing by my desk. I looked up and saw Charlie. He said that he wanted me to travel to Baltimore and interview with the firm. All I really remember was Charles’s grin and his very friendly manner. More like a father, less like a boss. He always concerned about me as a person first, and as an employee later. In my opinion, this is the trait that set Charles apart from the others. He wanted what was best for me and my family and was always very gracious. He often asked about Barbara and my children and wanted to know how they liked the Baltimore area. As Californians, he really wanted us to like being in Baltimore and enjoy the special qualities of the region.

In many ways, his studio was like his family. Much like a father, he was concerned about our growth and development. Charlie had a unique energy, creativity and ability to get the best out of people. He always made you feel that you were part of a team. His process, while sometimes chaotic and “last minute,” was always about achieving the best result, about doing the right thing for the client, the project and the company. All egos were set aside.

When I left RTKL to teach at Kansas State, he was concerned as to whether I was making the right decision and called me on numerous occasions to make sure that I was committed to this decision. From his boat, his car, or his office – whenever I spoke with him, he reminded me that the door was always open to return.

Charlie also opened my eyes to the importance of international practice at RTKL. He spoke about his travels to Panama with Arch Rogers, and I even traveled to work with him in São Paulo, Brazil. I think it was this project that allowed me to pursue the idea of working globally at RTKL. While many though it was more the diversion, Charlie was forward thinking and knew it was actually the future of our industry and practice.

I cannot say enough about how Charlie shaped my life and my career. He was always there, standing behind me, guiding me, even after I left Baltimore to move to LA. It was this confidence in me that allowed me to grow, to explore, to make mistakes, to reach out and influence others, to help shape the future of RTKL.

I look at our studio in Shanghai today, I realize that nobody in this studio has ever met Charlie Lamb and never will. I understand that I am Charlie’s legacy, and it’s my mission to convey the same qualities of humanism, passion, caring, creativity and honor to the next generation of RTKL’ers. I was blessed to work with Charlie. He shaped my life by teaching me the core fundamentals of what it is to be a professional, a designer, a teacher and a leader. He taught me to put others first, to care about the people around me and most of all to be creative in solving problems both big and small.

As his professional son, I am deeply honored to be the legacy of Charlie Lamb. I know that he and Marilyn and my mother and father are looking over me today….I am truly blessed by this.

Bio
Latest Posts

CallisonRTKL

For more than five decades, Callison and RTKL have created some of the world’s most memorable and successful environments for developers, retailers, investors, institutions and public entities. In 2015, our two practices came together under the Arcadis umbrella, expanding our sphere of influence and the depth and breadth of our resources. Our team is comprised of nearly 2,000 creative, innovative professionals throughout the world who are committed to advancing our client’s businesses and enhancing quality of life.