Vladimir Milovanovic, CEO at Energoprojekt Holding Plc. – I don't take my work home with me

(Vladimir Milovanovic) He grew up in the high-rise closest to the Red Star Stadium, so it's no wonder that there's a red and white sports dress in his spacious office. He is goal-oriented in both life and work and he sees Energoprojekt, which he has run since 2010, as his second home. He is not one of those who fight tooth and nail for a higher position and he says that, if he stopped producing results, he would voluntarily “thank the company for the trust given”.

Vladimir Milanovic was born in 1961 in Obrenovac, but his parents moved to Belgrade only six months after his birth.

After graduating from the Fourth Belgrade Gymnasium, he completed his studies at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Belgrade, department of thermal engineering. He chose mechanical engineering following the example of his father, an army officer and an aerospace engineer. He prepared his thesis in Energoprojekt in 1986, which was the most modern business building in Belgrade at the time. The grand edifice left such a strong impression on him that, after having completed his military service, he waited for a job opportunity in this company exclusively, even though he knew how difficult it was to become a part of Energoprojekt.

He says for eKapija that he was lucky to work on some very important projects in Belgrade at the very beginning of his career, like Hyatt Regency Belgrade, underground railway station Vukov Spomenik, railway station Prokop...

He is particularly proud of his contribution to the project of the underground railway station Vukov Spomenik, because, as a young engineer, he played a very active role in designing the ventilation system and the fire protection system of the station, which is located 46 meters below the ground.

– It was a very challenging engineering task, which I completed successfully in cooperation with other engineers and designers by studying various world standards, and we set up a remarkably efficient solution of desmoking and ventilating the station – Milovanovic recalls and especially emphasizes his excellent cooperation with Aleksandar Aca Bogdanovic, the then director of the Belgrade Railway Junction Construction Company.

Following his maturation as an engineer, his first engagement was abroad, in Nigeria, on the construction of a Hyatt Hotal in Lagos. Even though the project was not completed, he remained there for another three years, working on projects of installing power substations and powerlines. After he returned in 1995, he was promoted to the position of the assistant director for investments in Energoprojekt Oprema. He was only 34 at the time, and by 1998, he had run several projects, mostly in Serbia and Russia. That year, right before the Russian ruble collapsed, he turned to Arab countries, after one of the companies under Energoprojekt started operating in Qatar. The Qatar deal didn't go through, but the one in Dubai did. Right before the NATO bombing, he moved to Dubai as the technical director of a company under Energoprojekt in order to participate in the realization of an outstanding project for the Emirates Telecommunications Company (Etisalat). After nearly six years in the Middle East, he returned to Belgrade and started working as the assistant and deputy director at Energoprojekt Oprema again. Under very complex conditions within and around Energoprojekt, he was named the CEO of Energoprojekt Holding on October 28, 2010, a date he remembers well. His appointment was, as he says, the result of various circumstances and not part of his intention.

– Now that I am in this responsible position, my only wish is to do my job as successfully as possible and for Energoprojekt to keep advancing as a whole. I'm satisfied with what has been achieved so far, but we can do even better.

Even though he specializes in thermal engineering end energy, he has been developing managerial skills along the way by applying for a specialized project management program within the master studies at the George Washington University in America. The program was carried out through practical work.

Life abroad

Of all the places he's worked at, he'd most gladly choose Africa to live in. He believes that this is still a continent where, as they jokingly say in Energoprojekt, “everything is an emergency, and it's never too late”.

– Projects don't develop at the same pace there as they do here. In addition to that, the nature is wonderful, the people are mostly friendly and there's a greater possibility of living comfortably and cheaply than in some other parts of the world. Of course, the life there has its drawbacks as well, such as malaria and some other aspects regarding safety – our interviewee says.

Since he is goal-oriented and since he had the opportunity to be in a very responsible position at Energoprojekt as a young engineer, he has always tried, as he says, to be surrounded by top experts and to make a kind of competition for himself in order to learn from others and keep improving himself, while at the same time having the opportunity to train those who might possibly replace him one day.

After we note that the unwritten rule says that managers tend to hire people less competent than themselves so that they wouldn't endanger their own positions, Milovanovic says that he isn't one of those who fight tooth and nail for the position within a company.

– Achieving goals should be our priority. If there are no results, I will be the first one who will thank the company for the trust given and won't wait for someone to replace me – he says categorically.

A turning point

Recalling his career at the company, which marks 65 years of activity this year and has always been carrying out major construction projects in former Yugoslavia, Milovanovic tells us why his failure to go to Botswana marked a turning point in his life.

– At the beginning of my career, while I was working on the construction of the Hyatt Hotel in Belgrade, I received an offer to go to Botswana and work for a relatively high salary. I was young, unmarried and didn't have any particular obligations. Even though I was deep into the Hyatt project, I wanted to go there. Some of my older colleagues, who were in charge of tracking the progress of us young engineers, convinced me to stay. I did so and it has led me to the top of Energoprojekt – says the CEO of the construction giant.

He is proud that he has stayed here because, as he says, Energoprojekt is a place which provides him with opportunities to work on projects which other companies cannot undertake.

– Energoprojekt has realized thousands of projects in over 75 countries n these 65 years, and we are currently active in 22 countries. Each employee who goes abroad to work is sent there as a member of the Energoprojekt system, and the cooperation with local companies and different nations brings with it various experiences. These experiences tend to enrich each person, both professionally and privately.

Awards, icons, medals

During our conversation in his office, we can't help noticing numerous awards. Our interviewee says that he thinks of these awards as acknowledgments to everyone working in Energoprojekt, as they all share merits and responsibilities.

He also has a Red Star Volleyball Club sports dress in his office. Milovanovic says with a smile that he grew up in 2 Ljutice Bogdana, in the high-rise closest to the Red Star Stadium, so his passion for Red Star has never been in doubt.

As we look around the office, we notice a lot of icons and other symbols of Serbia. Our interviewee explains that people from all over the world come to his office, and that what's on display in his office is a selection of items crucial to understanding Serbia, as well as some items from countries and cultures which Energoprojekt has cooperated with.

– Economic patriotism is Energoprojekt's constant. It's especially significant today – Milovanovic says.

Our interviewee's work day lasts “until necessary”. He says that directors in Energoprojekt don't have work hours and that they are often busy in the afternoon and the evening.

When he closes the door to his office, he says, he needs some time for his adrenaline to drop and for his mind to switch to private life. He also tries not to take his work home with him and he mostly spends his free time with his wife and kids. On weekends, he often socializes with his friends, whom he isn't able to meet during the week. Even though he trained judo for 12 years when he was younger, as well as boxing and many other sports, he finds it hard to find time for recreation these days.

And while many business challenges lie ahead of him in all markets Energoprojekt is active in, trying to keep up with numerous macroeconomic changes, the fourth industrial revolution and the development of the Internet of Things concept, privately, he wishes for only two things: health and a stable family life.

Jelena Djelic

Energoprojekt Holding a.d. Beograd

Vladimir Milovanovic

Vladimir Milovanovic biography

mechanical engineer

mechanical engineering

Energoprojekt Oprema

Vukov spomenik

Hyatt Hotel construction

Aleksandar Bogdanovic

Prokop

Prokop construction