Meet the Mind of Scott Butler, CVG Management Consultant and Solution Seeker

Meet Scott Butler, a seasoned architecture and management consulting veteran whose career is defined by a commitment to genuine partnership and people-centric leadership. From steering architectural firms to embedding himself within client teams at CVG, Scott's journey reflects a passion for collaboration and meaningful connections. Join us as we delve into his professional insights and personal stories that shape his unique approach to consulting.

What do you find most unique about your firm and services?

In my leadership roles at several architecture firms, I worked with a number of management consulting firms. I was often disappointed and frustrated with them. I felt most were more interested in expanding and lengthening their work efforts (more revenue!) than solving our problems.

When I moved into management consulting, I wanted to be part of a firm that acted as true partners with their clients. My research led me to CVG because that is exactly what they professed to do. Now, as part of CVG’s team, I see and experience that the partnership mentality is exactly what we do.

The Investment Partner program embeds our team working alongside our clients’ teams as a support mechanism over the long term. It’s not about chasing revenue; rather, it’s about being there on a consistent basis and ready to provide advice and resources to address whatever critical challenges present themselves. What I see and really appreciate is that, over time, the CVG team actually becomes friends and trusted colleagues with our clients. As friends, we are that much more focused on our clients’ needs and dedicated to pitching in where we can best help. All done knowing that if our clients are successful, then we will be too, just as you would expect for partners.

Can you give us a glimpse into your workspace? What items or decorations make it uniquely yours?

My primary workspace is my corner office in my home. It’s a small space overflowing with books, pictures, a big comfy chair, and a TV. My wife hates it – she thinks it is claustrophobic. I love it – I’m surrounded by pictures of my family, coffee table architecture books, and some of my kids’ (when they were kids) favorite toys (Buzz Lightyear!).

I sit in the back corner with a window out to my yard on the edge of a forest. Here, I watch the seasons pass, watch the deer (and foxes) encroach on our gardens, and get frustrated that I’m on a Zoom call and not outside!

But in the end, both physically and emotionally, the whole room revolves around my desk. A big, old fashioned drafting table that my father built for me when I went to college. My Dad was an engineer, and the desk is both perfectly efficient and beautifully crafted – straight from his basement workshop many years ago.

Share a moment of pride or accomplishment from your professional journey.

When I retired as a CEO, I obviously reflected on a wide range of triumphs and struggles associated with business growth, client service, and design work.

But what I took great pride in was a note passed on to me from one of my colleagues. He was an architect who came in early every day. One day, I was visiting the office in his region and I sat down in the cubicle next to his to start my day early as well. We struck up a conversation and talked about weekend plans, college football, and the project he was working on. He appreciated the time we spent together, noting how genuinely interested I was in him, his passions, and the challenges he faced at work. For me, the true joy in my career has always come from the people alongside me. For him, he noted that he was encouraged that although we were in different roles and responsibilities within the firm, as people, we were peers and professional friends. Believe me, I know this seems like a very low bar, but he noted that in his long career, he had not seen that from a CEO before. I have read that in our careers, people will always forget about the things we often benchmark about ourselves as firm leaders- growth, profitability, etc. But what they will remember is the interactions you had together. Were they respected? Were they valued? Did they feel like part of something bigger than themselves? This is what I strived for and the reason my colleague’s simple note meant so much to me.

What's your go-to morning routine to kickstart a productive day at work?

I go for a run. I’ve been running for decades. I’m rather slow (and getting slower), but I get out there almost every day, and it is a great way to get the juices flowing and the day started.

I have my regular course (about 3 miles), so I don’t have to think about where I’m going. (BTW, this dissociation is not ideal – I have run into an intersection and been hit by a car –  that’s a whole other story). And as I said, I’m not setting any records, so it’s not physically stressful. So, it’s really my form of meditation. It is time that is completely my own to listen to a podcast, tune into music, or just ponder the problem of the day.

By the end of the half hour, my mind is clear, my first box of things to do is checked, and I’m ready for work to begin. 

Can you share a hobby or talent that people might be surprised to learn about you?

I always appreciated people who had some sort of party trick that could wow a crowd (did you see him juggle, she can belt out a tune, etc.). I don’t have one of those. But I did play rugby, which, at least in the USA, is considered a little weird.

I loved playing backyard football (no pads, just a lot of concussions) when I was in high school. When I went to Penn State, the closest thing I could find was this game of rugby. I ended up playing throughout my college life and beyond. I played a position called Hooker which sits in the middle of a scrum – basically a mass of smelly, snorting guys.

One thing about rugby (note no pads and lots of contact) is if you don’t support your teammates, they will get hurt. That makes for building pretty strong friendships and in the end, has been the best part of it all for me.

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?

Australia. With maybe a side trip to New Zealand.

During my career, I was lucky enough to travel all over the world, and I would say Australia is my favorite country, and Sydney is my favorite city. What’s not to like? It has great weather, an awesome accent, oceanfront beaches, great architecture, and really fun people (who like Americans). I have never been to New Zealand, but I hear it is stunningly beautiful, and I have met many Kiwis who are great people, too.

I’m going to get there again, and when I do, my perfect trip would include: meeting up again with the friends I made, climbing the Harbour Bridge, going to the Australian Open (tennis), seeing the All Blacks (New Zealand Rugby team) play, and finally, running/hiking down by one of the most beautiful places anywhere –  the Sydney Opera House (yes, it’s worth the hype!).

In every aspect of his work, Scott Butler exemplifies the values of partnership, integrity, and genuine care. He leaves a lasting impact on his clients and colleagues as he continues to guide and inspire through his leadership at CVG.