Nevada is populated by hundreds of business executives that daily demonstrate extraordinary leadership qualities. Whether its steering their company through rough economic times or giving back to the community in which they live, these leaders’ contribution to Nevada goes largely unnoticed.
In the first annual 20/20 issue, Nevada Business Journal recognizes 20 remarkable executives that have made significant contributions to Nevada’s business community. Nominations by Nevada Business Journal readers have been accepted throughout the year and each one has been carefully evaluated. The individuals selected for inclusion in this issue have met stringent criteria set forth by the magazine’s editorial staff.
Jeremy Aguero
Title & Company: Principal Analyst, Applied Analysis
Years in Nevada: 34 years in Las Vegas
Claim to Fame: Holding steadfast to the beliefs and missions of his business and personal life.
20/20 Vision Experience: Analysts will always have skeptics. Two conclusions published by Applied Analysis were highly controversial, 1) that a relatively modest interruption in the region’s normal growth cycle would have significant ripple effects and 2) the greater challenge facing Clark County was the sustainability of housing prices not the availability of affordable housing. The confidence to stand by the results through the skepticism has proven successful for Aguero’s team.
Insight: Areas of expertise include economic analysis operational model development, policy analysis and fiscal impact assessment.
Krys T. Bart
Occupation & Company: President & CEO, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority
Years in Nevada: 10 years in Reno
Claim to Fame: Changing the Reno-Tahoe International Airport from a controversial local entity to one of the most respected airports in North America.
20/20 Vision Experience: The turbulence in the airline industry today highlights the vision of establishing an innovative airport revenue structure that did not rely on the airlines for success. At Reno-Tahoe International, 70 percent of the airport’s revenues are derived from non-airline sources. This is highly uncommon in the airport industry where airlines are typically relied upon to supply the bulk of revenue. This forward thinking is keeping Reno-Tahoe International competitive during the most challenging time in aviation history.
Insight: Bart serves on the Board of Directors for the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada.
Selma F. Bartlett
Title & Company: Executive Vice President & Regional President, BankWest of Nevada
Years in Nevada: 49 years in Henderson
Claim to Fame: Being an advocate of the Henderson Community since 1954. She has become a Southern Nevada institution.
20/20 Vision Experience: Before anyone realised the importance of a banker being involved in the community, Selma made it her personal mission to aide the City of Henderson in any way she could. As a banker, Bartlett comes into contact with all facets of community life. Her support spans the Clark County Medical Society, the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Nevada, Selma F. Bartlett Elementary School and funding numerous UNLV scholarships for Engineering, Teaching and Mathematics.
Insight: Joined BankWest of Nevada in 1996. She is a recipient of University of Nevada Las Vegas President’s Medal and sits on the Nevada State College Board of Directors.
Kirk Boylston
Title & Company: Regional Director, EJM Development Co.
Years in Nevada: Five years in Las Vegas
Claim to Fame: Currently developing The Arroyo, the largest master-planned commercial development in Las Vegas.
20/20 Vision Experience: Bolyston was brought on by EJM Development Co. to personally oversee and execute The Arroyo. Boylston’s belief in the project’s innovative architecture, having multiple smaller facades for the larger buildings, allowed him to navigate the concerns of national retailers who stalled in the face of the additional costs for the upgraded architecture. As The Arroyo continues to be developed, Boylston is proud to say that over time the large retailers have accepted the additional costs and EJM is now promoting the project as an example of what retailers are able to due when required.
Insight: Boylston has more than 20 years of experience working in real estate development and commercial asset management.
Rita Brandin
Title & Company: Senior Vice President of Development, Newland Communities
Years in Nevada: 11 years in Las Vegas
Claim to Fame: Personally oversaw the $2 billion expansion and redevelopment of the Fashion Show Mall on the Las Vegas Strip.
20/20 Vision Experience: Few believed that Union Park would ever really get ‘legs’ and Brandin battled this cynicism every day on many fronts. In this regard, doubt and cynicism served as a healthy stimulant to her efforts to secure credible, world-class developers for Union Park. As the finishing touches are put on Union Park’s first major facility – the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute designed by famed architect Frank Gehry – the team is reminded of just how far Union Park has come.
Insight: She is a certified Shopping Center Manager and a member of Urban Land Institute. Locally, she is a member of ULI’s Las Vegas District Council and its Executive Committee.
Bob Cooper
Title & Company: Manager, Economic Development Division, City of Henderson
Years in Nevada: Nine years in Henderson
Claim to Fame: Named by the Wall Street Journal as one of the top business recruiters in the country, the only public sector person ever to receive the award.
20/20 Vision Experience: Cooper’s team created a new county-wide healthcare collaborative called the Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition (SNMIC) a few years ago. Initially, it met with cool resistance because historically the medical, business, academic and government communities did not cooperate well together on healthcare issues. Today, this small group of leaders has grown into 7 major task forces, with more than 400 active public and private volunteers. SNMIC is now recognized on a national level for its community partnerships and successful projects.
Insight: Bob Cooper has over 34 years experience as a professional and Board Certified Economic Developer.
Valerie Glenn
Title & Company: President & CEO, The Glenn Group
Years in Nevada: Reno Native
Claim to Fame: Created a community pride campaign called We Love This Place! Meant to last a couple of years, it has been so successful that it still appears on every City of Reno vehicle.
20/20 Vision Experience: When the firm was trying to grow their agency and having difficulty convincing larger clients of their capability they decided to practice what they preach and do some research about the perceptions of the company among clients, prospective clients and some of their vendors. The outcome resulted in major changes in the structure of the company. Subsequently, the Rose/ Glenn Group grew to be one of the largest and most respected agencies in Nevada and recently joined forces with DRGM.
Insight: Glenn currently serves on the Reno/Tahoe International Airport’s Air Service Advisory Board.
Carolyn G. Goodman
Title & Company: President/Founder and Trustee Emeritus of The Meadows School
Years in Nevada: 44 years in Las Vegas
Claim to Fame: Married to the world’s happiest Mayor – Oscar Goodman.
20/20 Vision Experience: It never took rocket science to realize that quality education inherently depended on a philosophy, business model, funding and having only the finest teacher in every classroom. This was not the standard practice among education professionals when the idea for The Meadows School was introduced. Almost 25 years later, The Meadows School has become the pinnacle for quality K-12 education in the state.
Insight: Goodman worked at the Riviera Hotel in Advertising and Publicity. In 1966, she went to work for the President of Caesars Palace and the Head of the Casino.
John Guedry
Title & Company: Executive Vice President & Manager, City National Bank’s Nevada Region
Years in Nevada: 34 years in Las Vegas
Claim to Fame: Taking over a struggling community bank and having it become a very profitable institution for eventual sale to City National Bank.
20/20 Vision Experience: When Guedry was asked to accept the position as CEO of a Nevada-based community bank, Business Bank of Nevada, the bank had about $100 million in assets and was under regulatory action. He knew he had to hire a strong management team to help turn around the struggling bank. In three years, they were successful in putting to bed the regulatory restrictions and by year seven the bank was among the most profitable banks in the country.
Insight: Guedry has nearly 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is a Board Member of Opportunity Village and the Women’s Development Center.
Edward Guthrie
Title & Company: Executive Director & CEO, Opportunity Village
Years in Nevada: 14 years in Las Vegas
Claim to Fame: Considers himself a creative problem solver.
20/20 Vision Experience: Guthrie’s foresight was in the purchase of land near Buffalo Rd. and Patrick Rd. years ago, at a time when Opportunity Village was having difficulty finding enough contract work for the existing sites. Guthrie’s now spearheading the building of the $44 million Ralph & Betty Engelstad Campus at that location. While there was thought to be little support needed for people with disabilities, Guthrie knew their numbers would continue to grow in the Las Vegas Valley and so would the need for services.
Insight: Guthrie has chaired or served on many Boards and advisory committees at the national, state and local levels. He’s a member of the Las Vegas Southwest Rotary.
Timothy A. Lukas
Title & Company: Partner, Holland & Hart LLP
Years in Nevada: 30+ years in Nevada
20/20 Vision Experience: Lukas was the managing partner of the Hale & Lane before its merger with Holland & Hart. He also headed up the committee that conducted the due diligence on their future partner. Lukas says there was the expected hesitancy and doubt from some folks about combining with any firm. It was Lukas who strongly recommended Holland & Hart as the natural choice for Hale & Lane’s merger, and while the partnership is still transitioning, it is undeniably successful. Today, Lukas reports that all reservations have since subsided.
Insight: Lukas practices primarily in the field of bankruptcy and insolvency planning.
Myron G. Martin
Title & Company: President, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts
Years in Nevada: 13 years in Las Vegas
Claim to Fame: Created the Best of Las Vegas awards show, the 9/11 concert event that included nearly every performer in Las Vegas, brought Hairspray to town and helped create the vision for The Smith Center.
20/20 Vision Experience: Martin now knows why people might have questioned the concept of a performing arts center in the entertainment capitol of the world. Initially, government agencies all suggested that public money for a performing arts center was unlikely, yet they ended up supporting The Smith Center. The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation also hesitated, however they donated the largest philanthropic gift in Nevada’s history. Martin is proud to say progress continues on the project.
Insight: He served as Executive Director of the Liberace Foundation and later as the Director of UNLV Performing Arts Center.
Mike Montandon
Title & Company: Mayor, City of North Las Vegas
Years in Nevada: 16 years in North Las Vegas
Claim to Fame: Mayor of the fastest growing big city in America.
20/20 Vision Experience: North Las Vegas had an image problem that seemed insurmountable, but Montandon believed this image crisis could end. It took time and a concerted effort. His team made hundreds of phone calls to the media to tell them the city is called North Las Vegas not ‘North Town’ and to clarify the boundaries of the city. These calls coupled with a tremendous effort in planning and infrastructure, have led people and businesses to start choosing North Las Vegas, rather than ending up there.
Insight: Montandon was re-elected to his third four-year term in 2005. He is employed in the construction industry.
Patricia Mulroy
Title & Company: General Manager, Las Vegas Valley Water District / Southern Nevada Water Authority
Years in Nevada: 34 years in Las Vegas
Claim to Fame: Keeping Southern Nevada in water.
20/20 Vision Experience: Mulroy was instrumental in the creation of the Southern Nevada Water Authority which has demonstrated that collaboration leads to better polices than bureaucratic tug-of-wars. Before 1991, each local water provider operated separately from one another in an “every-man-for-himself” culture. Subsequently, the Authority’s unique partnership has shown that a collective voice carries more influence and can create greater change than any single agency acting alone.
Insight: Mulroy has won numerous awards, including the 2005 Nevada Governor’s Award for Performance Excellence.
Mike Murphy
Title & Company: President & General Manager, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Nevada
Years in Nevada: Two years in Las Vegas
Claim to Fame: Achieving double digit increases in membership for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.
20/20 Vision Experience: Murphy’s management team was determined to change negative healthcare perceptions. They encountered a lot of people who did not think they could afford healthcare nor did the consumers believe that what was promised would be provided. The doubt Murphy’s team encountered only served as a motivation to redouble efforts. Two years later saw a 23 percent increase in Anthem’s membership and healthcare coverage grew to over 325,000 Nevadans.
Insight: He is a member of the American Heart Association Board.
Nina Radetich
Title & Company: News Anchor, KTNV Channel 13
Years in Nevada: 12 years in Las Vegas
Claim to Fame: Founder and Host of ‘Nina’s Night Out’.
20/20 Vision Experience: Nina’s Night Out is a benefit concert and event for The Rape Crisis Center. Its first year only attracted a mid-level performer and fundraising was minimal. Since then, with the support of the Las Vegas community, the event has taken on a life of its own. This year, Jessica Simpson will be performing and the event is expected to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars. Radetich never predicted the event would become as successful or as fundamental in benefiting The Rape Crisis Center.
Insight: Radetich spent almost 11 years at NBC Channel 3. In 2007, she joined the Action News team at KTNV Channel 13.
John Ramous
Title & Company: Vice President, Operations, Harsch Investment Properties
Years in Nevada: Five years in Las Vegas
Claim to Fame: Seeks out win-win solutions.
20/20 Vision Experience: When Ramous joined Harsch Investment Properties, land in North Las Vegas was selling for less than $50,000-per-acre. At the time, Harsch’s Speedway Commerce Center project, located adjacent to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, was considered the furthest point north people would travel to locate their businesses. Ramous says they are glad they purchased the land they did, but laments not purchasing all available land. Today, land around Speedway Commerce Center, once considered “too far” out of the valley, is now $400,000-per-acre.
Insight: Ramous has been involved with commercial real estate for over 19 years. He is currently a trustee for the Henderson Development Association.
Daniel J. Sheridan
Title & Company: Executive Vice President, General Growth Properties
Years in Nevada: Four years in Las Vegas
Claim to Fame: Personally oversaw leasing efforts at The Shoppes at The Palazzo on behalf of General Growth Properties, which brought to Las Vegas the world’s premier luxury brands.
20/20 Vision Experience: Four years ago Sheridan was in a great place with a senior position reporting directly to the CEO of General Growth Properties. Though he had learned a lot about the retail industry, he felt he lacked direct experience working and managing in a true retail environment. While many around Sheridan thought it crazy for an attorney to move to Las Vegas, he knew it was an opportunity of a lifetime and jumped at the chance.
Insight: Sheridan joined GGP in 1998 after practicing law for ten years at Dickinson Wright in Chicago.
David Turner
Title & Company: CPA & Founder, Turner, Loy & Co., LLC
Years in Nevada: Nevada Native
Claim to Fame: Due diligence in tax law.
20/20 Vision Experience: The firm rented space in the heart of downtown Reno for years and when it came time to build their own office six miles outside of the downtown core, Turner adamantly opposed, believing in the benefits of being in the downtown core. Years later he says it is a pleasure to be wrong as his clients comment on how much they enjoy escaping the garages, congestion, garbage and the homeless of the downtown region.
Insight: Turner currently practices primarily in the area of income, estate and gift taxation and has been a certified public accountant since 1969. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Nevada Taxpayers Association and is a member of the Nevada Tax Commission.
Randall H. Walker
Title & Company: Director, Clark County Department of Aviation
Years in Nevada: Southern Nevada Native
Claim to Fame: Growing and managing a 29 million increase in passenger numbers from 1990 to 2007.
20/20 Vision Experience: McCarran was the first U.S. airport that sought to impose a Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) to help finance future improvements. Walker believed in the benefits of a PFC and was instrumental in getting the program off the ground despite major airlines attempting to block the initiative. Since then, air travelers have contributed more than $700 million in PFC revenue toward McCarran terminal expansions, airport roadway improvements, noise mitigation efforts and firefighting equipment. PFCs have become an undeniable success, allowing airport users to pay for a bigger, better and safer airports.
Insight: Walker was appointed as Clark County Director of Aviation in May 1997.
