Paul Larkins: ceo of key equipment nurtures work force.

• Author: Bronikowski, Lynn
• Position: Executive Edge

SUN SPLASHES LAVISHLY THROUGH THE WINDOWS of Paul Larkins' corner office at the corporate headquarters of Key Equipment Finance in Superior, but the view out that window is of a sea of cars in a dull parking lot.

Larkins planned it that way.

"When I helped design this building, wanted to send the right message--the executive offices are on the first floor overlooking a parking lot. The most important people in the company, the operations people who keep this company running, get the upper floors and the views," said Larkins, president and CEO of Key Equipment.

But everyone--from top executives to entry-level staff--has access to a striking break room that offers sweeping vistas of the Front Range and a place to mingle.

"It's important to see people face-to-face and get first-hand feedback," said Larkins, who said for that reason alone he's often on the road as head of a global company doing business in 25 countries. Key Equipment employs more than 600 people worldwide and oversees an equipment portfolio in excess of $8 billion.

"We're having our best year in our history in spite of the challenges in the credit market and the downdraft in the manufacturing and transportation markets," said Larkins during an interview late in 2002.

"Our business is thriving because we spend a lot of time positioning ourselves as providers of equipment financing. Businesses that were cash-flush in the 1990s weren't particularly...