Getting an invitation to a private tour of the White House last month was exciting, to say the least. My wife and I and another couple were escorted by the assistant to the press secretary, who showed us almost everything in the historic home except the private quarters and offices.

It was wonderful – a once-in-a-lifetime event for me to be in a place where World governing decisions are made. You get the impression the White House is huge, but it’s really not that big; not much bigger than a typical “old style” mansion.

The White House is truly a symbol of innovation. The outside may always look the same, but the inside is a reflection on the president who lives there. The same can be said about my company. On the outside is a regular looking building; the inside is where all the unseen magic happens. That came to mind when I saw where the President and his advisors conduct meetings.

Outside the door of the Oval Office is a conference room with a large table, just like a dining room table, as well as a china buffet and a fireplace. The advisors are handling issues there all day long. For me it was really comfortable; it felt like you were in a room where presidents used to have their Thanksgiving dinner. At Inventionland, we have a communications system where every day at 4 p.m. our senior designers meet around the large table in Inventalot Castle to discuss all of the projects and issues they need to solve collectively as a team.

President George W. Bush is one of only a few presidents to use the Oval Office as his actual office. He works at a historic, richly carved desk made from the timbers of the HMS Resolute which was a gift from Queen Victoria in 1880. There are only two like it in the world; the other Resolute desk sits in Buckingham Palace. I also work in a highly unusual office – a tree house in Inventionland, the most creative workplace in the world.

Inventionland also represents the old and the new. The entrance to Inventionland is staged to look like a laboratory, and we call it Edison’s Lab. It contains a refurbished antique desk and an old bookshelf, along with accessories that accentuate the décor of the Edison era. In fact, my grandfather’s old drafting table that he used in his work as a mechanical engineer is in Edison’s Lab as well. They may not be historic artifacts from the HMS Resolute, but they carry a special significance to the company and have a history behind them.

What intrigued me about the White House is its elegance and history. The Bushes redecorated with a certain amount of class to honor that history. In the halls and rooms, you are surrounded by two different types of artwork – historical and of events relating to the current presidency.

In a way, the art reminded me of our office where our historical heroes of Edison, Ford and Disney are framed along with all of our current accomplishments. In the White House, there are a variety of photos showing the President in real life situations, such as clearing brush on his ranch or encouraging firefighters after 9-11.

What struck me when I met him years ago is his down-to-earth nature and the ease with which he relates to different types of people. Here’s a guy who can be completely down to earth and also go into the highest echelons of society. I can relate to the president as I also remain down to earth but, as president and CEO of Davison, I am comfortable interacting with politicians, presidents of corporations and civic leaders as well as our employees. As a leader, it is my responsibility to mentor my staff so they can carry on the core values of this organization.

There is no doubt that 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is the home of the leader of the Free World. The press room is state-of-the-art. In the server room are rows upon rows of servers, which in today’s world is essential. Technology helps us dream big.

Being invited to the White House was a very kind gesture that my wife and I will always cherish. History is an inspirational teacher and we will continue to strive to do our part for this great nation.

I like to think that one day the history of our work and the Inventegration® process of developing ideas into products will provide a strong foundation upon which others can build. Just as each president adds their leadership to the idea that this is our country, we must forge the way and leave our unique process and the results of our work for future generations.