BANKING & FINANCE
U.S. Bank recently announced three appointments: Thomas Groebe* has been named managing director of the bank’s private financial services department. Groebe’s 27 years in the banking industry provide him with an extensive background in credit approval and administration, financial and problem loan management, and branch banking. The new vice president and commercial banking manager for U.S. Bank’s southern Nevada commercial banking group is Lori Soren. Soren, who joined U.S. Bank in 1992, has more than 20 years of banking experience. Susan Matthiessen Lydon has been named vice president and relationship manager with U.S. Bank’s southern Nevada commercial banking group. She brings more 20 years of experience to the position.
Wayne Tew, President and CEO of Clark County Credit Union for 14 years, has been re-elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the SUMMIT Client Group. The group is made up of credit union clients of SUMMIT Information Systems, which provides software technology to credit unions throughout North America.
Jeannie Robertson*, vice president of Silver State Bank, now manages the bank’s newest branch at 4200 E. Sunset Road in Green Valley, which opened in May. Robertson, a banking veteran with more than 24 years of experience, has been a part of Silver State Bank since it was founded in 1996.
First Independent Bank of Nevada, based in Reno, has appointed Michele Trombley* as vice president of commercial lending. Trombley began her career with Pioneer Citizens Bank of Nevada and has experience in real estate lending and management.
BankWest of Nevada recently hired Brent Medovich as vice president/electronic banking manager, responsible for the company’s website and for drafting policies and procedures. Medovich formerly owned and operated Bankerspen, LLC, a banking consulting firm. The bank also appointed Cathy E. Swadkins to serve as vice president/loan department manager. She has been with BankWest for two years, and formerly worked for Silver State Bank.
BUSINESS SERVICES
Resources Connection has announced the appointment of Diane Radunz as director of accounting and finance. With more than 20 years of experience in the areas of accounting and finance, Radunz will aid the company in recruiting experienced professionals to serve clients on a project or interim basis.
Chavez & Koch, CPA’s. Ltd. recently announced that Michael Byrnes, CPA, has joined the firm as its tax manager. A graduate of Notre Dame University, Byrnes previously worked with BDO Seidman in Atlanta. Janice Smith, CPA will head the accounting and audit practices for the firm and has become a shareholder. She previously held the title of manager in its accounting department.
CONSTRUCTION
Paul Robinson*, whose industry career spans 23 years in bridge, excavation, civil and concrete construction, has been named president of American Asphalt & Grading Company. He comes to the Las Vegas-based firm from Walter Construction (USA), where he was vice president and division manager.
ProHome, a nationwide third-party warranty service company, has named Don Purdue* general manager for the Las Vegas division. Purdue was formerly director of land development and director of warranty service for Rhodes Homes.
McCarthy Construction has promoted Alan D. Johnson* to vice president, Nevada client services for the McCarthy Southwest Division. Johnson joined the company in 1998 with the responsibility for leading business development and marketing efforts in Nevada.
Dennis Bryan, P.E., has joined Converse Consultants, a geotechnical and environmental engineering consulting firm. With over 28 years experience in Nevada, Bryan will serve as principal geologic engineer working out of the firm’s Reno office.
EDUCATION
The Board of Regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada recently approved the appointment of two new interim vice chancellors and an interim assistant vice chancellor. Daniel G. Miles will be the interim vice chancellor for finance and administration. He previously served as the senate fiscal analyst for the Legislative Counsel Bureau of the State of Nevada. Dr. Sherwin Iverson will serve as the interim vice chancellor for academic and student affairs; Dr. Iverson was formerly the associate vice chancellor. Christine Chairsell has been selected to serve as the interim associate vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, replacing Dr. Iverson. Chairsell joined CCSN in 1995 and most recently was provost of the Charleston Campus.
GOVERNMENT & LAW
Las Vegas estate planning attorney Jeffrey L. Burr has been recognized by UNLV President Carol Harter as the recipient of the UNLV Foundation’s prestigious Chairman’s Award. The head of Jeffrey L. Burr and Associates has worked with the foundation for 10 years, assisting it in raising over $10 million in donations.
Patty Blakeman*, a former executive director of the Clark County Bar Association, has joined the State Bar of Nevada as its director of communications. Before joining the State Bar, Blakeman worked at the West Group, a legal publishing company based in Minnesota.
HEALTHCARE & INSURANCE
The Jimmy Pettyjohn Group has announced the appointment of Timothy J. Hartwick Jr. (photo sent by email) as manager of workers compensation and commercial insurance for the Risk Management Division. JPG, which specializes in benefits, human resources and risk management, is located in Las Vegas.
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS
R & R Partners, a Las Vegas based marketing communications firm, recently announced two appointments. Dale Erquiaga* has been named corporate director of public relations and will oversee all public relations for the agency. Erquiaga formerly served as director of the Nevada Department of Museums, Library and Arts. Jackie Kohorst* has been named director of account services and will lead strategy development, annual planning and client service for the agency’s advertising accounts. With 17 years of experience, she came to R & R from Powers and Associates.
NON-PROFIT
John McNeil, executive director of the American Heart Association in Nevada, retired on June 30 after a 29-year career devoted to fighting heart disease and stroke.
REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT
The Economic Development Authority Esmeralda/Nye (EDEN) recently appointed Gordon Froman of Pahrump to serve as its executive director. Froman, a retired Navy officer, has been managing the Yucca Mountain information office in Pahrump.
The Northern Nevada Development Authority has elected its Board of Directors for 2000-2001. New officers are: president, Cole Smith; vice president, Ed Shaw; secretary, Jeannie Hadlock; treasurer, Brian Colodny; and past president, Greg Nixon.
The Southern Nevada Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) has hired its first full-time executive director. Micki Johnson* will also serve as the chapter’s local media and municipal spokesperson. Johnson brings more than 30 years of real estate experience to the position.
ICON Real Estate Companies, Inc. has announced that Gloria Buonacorsi has been promoted to chief financial officer. She has been with the company since 1995. Ivan Ishihara, who has been in the commercial real estate field since 1979, has been hired as project manager for ICON Development Partners.
TECHNOLOGY
John Jordan* has been appointed vice president of marketing for Computer Plus, a computer networking firm based in Southern Nevada. Jordan brings more than 20 years of marketing and management experience to the firm and serves on the Membership Retention Committee for the Nevada Development Authority.
TRAVEL & TOURISM
Officials at Anchor Gaming recently announced two appointments: Dave Johnson, the new general counsel of Anchor Gaming, served from 1995 to 2000 as the general counsel and senior vice president of Alliance Gaming Corporation. Mick Roemer* has been promoted to senior vice president and general manager of its Anchor Games Subsidiary.
A long-time executive with Coast Resorts, David D. Ross*, will serve as vice president/general manager of the new Suncoast Hotel & Casino, scheduled to open in Las Vegas in the Fall of 2000. Ross has been with Coast Resorts since 1982 and most recently served as the general manager of the Barbary Coast.
CVI Technology, which provides products and services to the vending industry, has announced the appointment of Gwen Carrington to the position of marketing and communications director. She formerly held positions with Channel 3 and Channel 10 in Las Vegas. VendingData.com™ a wholly owned subsidiary of CVI, appointed Dean Barnett as vice president of its sales division. Before joining the company in 1998, Barnett was the national sales manager for Shuffle Master. Casinovations™ has announced the appointment of Bob Pietrosanto as the new president of the company, another CVI subsidiary. Pietrosanto formerly served as director of North American sales.
William J. Noonan was recently named the 2000 Gaming Professional of the Year by the Casino Management Association. Noonan, vice president and general manager of Fitzgeralds Casino & Holiday Inn in downtown Las Vegas, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the gaming industry.
