Thinking outside the matrix

What drives Rohit Gupta isn’t a desire to be wealthy or influential. By all accounts, he has already achieved both. No, what drives him is a desire to continually raise the bar—personally and professionally… for himself and his family-operated property development firm.

Under his leadership, annual revenue at the Rohit Group of Companies has grown from $32 million in 2002 to a whopping $90 million today, and is on track to generate $140 million next year.

“It could be a bit higher or lower, depending on how fast we get approval for a new $50-million project,” explains the 28-year old general manager whose concept of Rohit Communities is earning accolades in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Fort McMurray and the Okanagan.

Earning a BSc in computer engineering and an MBA has given him the foundation that helped contribute to unprecedented expansion of the company, but Rohit admits he hasn’t always succeeded at every job he has held. It’s his determination and ability to rebound that turned a small business into a major corporation. He says “…I don’t let any of my previous mistakes stop me from to trying to be the best businessman I can.”

To Rohit, the key is to be both a great visionary as well as a strong financial manager which he says, at times, can conflict with each other. “More than once I have had to deal with my architects over projects where the finances and the vision didn’t match up.” He has created a niche in the industry and an empowering internal culture, surrounding himself with experts and allowing them to shine.

And, part of that culture is to give back to the community. In addition to serving on the board of directors for the Alberta New Home Warranty Program and the Alberta chapter of Delta Chi, Rohit contributes both time and money to many worthy causes, encouraging employees to participate. This year, that includes the International Children’s Festival, the Fringe, and a three-year sponsorship with the Heritage Festival Foundation. His family has created a $100,000 sustainable fellowship fund at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in honour of his late brother, Neil Gupta.

Long, productive days end with a game of squash and time with his wife Angelina, family and friends. His lighter side is evidenced by his enjoyment of arguing useless topics—like which fictional alien was cooler, ET or Alf? According to Rohit: Alf! √

Photo by Terry Bourque