Vickie DeHart is a business leader, builder, and operations expert based in Las Vegas. She co-founded EHB Companies and plays a key role in managing the company’s day-to-day business. Her work covers everything from accounting and financing to leasing, insurance, and coordination with architects and engineers. She’s the kind of leader who knows every part of the process—and isn’t afraid to get into the details.
Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Vickie grew up with two brothers in a tight-knit family. After moving to Nevada, she graduated from Western High School in Las Vegas in 1979. Her career started in construction, where she quickly made her mark. Before EHB, she was Vice President and Principal at Powerhouse Construction. That company handled apartment framing and retail renovations. Vickie held the general contractor’s license—making her one of the first women in Nevada to do so.
At EHB, she works closely with the CEO to plan and run the business. She oversees leasing, customer service, and the closing process, helping turn raw projects into finished homes. Her approach is steady and hands-on. She’s known for doing the work quietly and getting it right.
Outside of work, Vickie focuses on wellness, hiking, and giving back. She supports groups like the American Heart Association and the Israeli-American Council. Her success is built on experience, hard work, and care for the people she serves.
She didn’t just rise through the ranks. She built her own lane—and brought others with her.
Q&A with Vickie DeHart
On Success, Grit, and What She Learned from Framing Buildings and Closing Deals
What does success mean to you, in a real-world sense?
For me, success has always meant stability. It’s not about fame or having your name in the paper. It’s being able to look around and know that the people relying on you—your family, your team, your clients—are taken care of. In construction and real estate, you deal with risk every day. Success is making sure that despite the chaos, the job gets done, the bills get paid, and no one’s left guessing where they stand.
When I was younger, it was about proving I could do the work. Now, it’s about how well I do it, how many problems I solve quietly, and how much trust people have in me to do the right thing.
What’s a specific moment that shaped your view of success?
When I was at Powerhouse Construction, I carried the general contractor’s license. That alone was rare for a woman at the time. But one week stands out. We had a framing project falling behind. Supplies were late, crews were stretched, and the client was getting nervous. I could’ve made excuses. Instead, I grabbed my boots, got on site, and started walking the frame with the crew leader.
We worked side-by-side for a few days—redrew some of the plans, juggled materials, cut downtime. We hit the mark. That experience reminded me that leadership isn’t about giving orders. It’s about being willing to show up, solve problems, and earn trust. That’s real success.
You’ve spent your career in male-dominated spaces. Did that change how you define success?
It sharpened my focus. I didn’t have the luxury of being vague. In construction especially, either the project is up to code or it isn’t. Either you know what you’re doing, or you don’t. I had to work harder just to be taken seriously at first. Carrying that general contractor’s license meant I wasn’t asking for a seat—I had one.
That experience taught me not to wait for approval. I had to be direct, clear, and prepared. If success came, it was because I’d done the homework, walked the site, filed the paperwork, and followed through.
What are some habits or routines that helped you stay consistent over the years?
I’m very organized. I don’t let paperwork pile up. I deal with things in real-time—leases, insurance, city approvals, vendor questions. If I delay, it slows everyone else down. That habit came from handling closings and permits early in my career. You drop the ball once, and you learn quick.
I also take care of my health. I hike, exercise, stay active. It helps me think clearly and resets my perspective. When you’re in a high-responsibility role, your brain doesn’t shut off unless you make space for it.
How do you approach setbacks? What’s your response when something doesn’t go as planned?
Step one is not panicking. It’s easy to get caught in a spiral when timelines fall apart or you hit red tape. But staying calm helps you see options.
There was a permitting issue years ago on a commercial space. The plans were fine, but the city flagged something late in the process. Rather than argue, I met with the inspector the next morning, blueprint in hand. We walked it together, figured out where the miscommunication happened, and pushed through a fix.
That taught me that reacting fast but thoughtfully often gets better results than fighting or freezing.
Have your ideas about success changed as you’ve gotten older?
Yes. I used to think success was about doing everything myself. That if I didn’t control every piece, something would break. Over time, I’ve learned to trust other people’s strengths more. Delegating doesn’t mean you don’t care. It means you understand how to build a team.
Now I take more pride in mentoring, in setting up systems that run well even when I’m not in the room. That’s a form of success I couldn’t have appreciated earlier in my career.
What advice would you give to someone who wants a long, steady career—not just a flashy moment?
Know your numbers. Whether you’re running a business or managing a single project, understand where the money is going, what’s driving the timeline, and who’s responsible for what. Don’t leave that to someone else.
Also, show up. Be reliable. I’ve worked with plenty of people who were smart but inconsistent. The people who last are the ones you can count on—every day, not just when things are easy.
And finally, don’t chase everything. Focus on doing a few things really well. That’s how trust builds, and trust is the real currency of success.