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vegasinc.com | november 19 - november 25, 2017

A crew member on a B-25 Mitchell bomber takes down a flag prior to takeoff during the 2014 Aviation Nation open house at Nellis Air Force Base. (steve marcus/staff file)

No source untapped Center will draw from civilians’ ideas to streamline problem-solving for Air Force By Mick Akers | STAFF WRITER

“We are mavericks, mavens, warriors, scientists and engineers who see our world as a hyper-connected community able to quickly and creatively solve problems.” ¶ The next line on the Defensewerx website names its clients: “our warfighters,” better known as the U.S. Department of Defense. Acting as both counselor and connector in helping the crowdsourcing, Continued on page 11

881

Number of properties the most prolific Airbnb landlord rents out in London. This person — or maybe company — earns about $15.6 million a year. According to AirDNA, 65 percent of hosts are individuals, not companies.

75%

Decrease in wealth for median black households in the U.S. between 1983 and 2013, according to a report by the Institute for Policy Studies.

VEGAS INC NOV. 19- NOV. 25

CONTENTS GROUP PUBLISHER Gordon Prouty ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Breen Nolan

EDITORIAL

NOTEWORTHY STORIES

05 06 13 Q&A WITH RINO ARMENI

MEET MOMENT 3D

The chairman of Armeni Enterprises and owner of Tipsy Robot, who also founded the Las Vegas Business Academy, offers advice that has served him for 40 years, tells us which U.S. president is his hero and breaks a musical stereotype about Italians.

Three-dimensional printing has been around since the 1980s but has only recently taken off as a mainstream business model. Alex Gao opened his 3-D printing shop last year in Henderson and is happy to teach others about the technology.

THE NOTES People on the Move, P4

TALKING POINTS Keeping up with technology is not optional, P7

DATA AND PUBLIC INFORMATION A listing of local bankruptcies, bid opportunities, brokered transactions, business licenses and building permits. MORE VEGAS INC BUSINESS NEWS Calendar: Happenings and events, P12 The List: Technology companies, P15

EDITOR Erin Ryan (erin.ryan@gmgvegas.com) MANAGING EDITOR Dave Mondt (dave.mondt@gmgvegas.com) ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR/SPORTS AND DIGITAL Ray Brewer (ray.brewer@gmgvegas.com) STAFF WRITERS Mick Akers, April Corbin, Yvonne Gonzalez, Jesse Granger, Chris Kudialis, Thomas Moore, Cy Ryan, Camalot Todd, Ricardo Torres-Cortez COPY DESK CHIEF John Taylor GENERAL EDITOR Paul Szydelko ASSISTANT GENERAL EDITOR Adam Candee COPY EDITOR Christian Bertolaccini SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR Craig Peterson RESEARCHER Jamie Gentner EDITORIAL CARTOONIST Mike Smith LIBRARY SERVICES SPECIALIST Rebecca Clifford-Cruz OFFICE COORDINATOR Nadine Guy

ART ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR Liz Brown (liz.brown@gmgvegas.com) DESIGNER LeeAnn Elias PHOTO COORDINATOR Yasmina Chavez PHOTOGRAPHERS L.E. Baskow, Christopher DeVargas, Steve Marcus, Mikayla Whitmore

ADVERTISING PUBLISHER OF DIGITAL MEDIA Katie Horton GROUP DIRECTOR OF SALES OPERATIONS Stephanie Reviea PUBLICATION COORDINATOR Denise Arancibia SENIOR ADVERTISING MANAGER Jeff Jacobs EXTERNAL CONTENT MANAGER Emma Cauthorn BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST Sandra Segrest ACCOUNT MANAGERS Katie Harrison, Dawn Mangum, Sue Sran ADVERTISING MANAGERS Kelly Decker, Brianna Eck, Richard Johnson, Mitch Keenan, Danielle Stone, Alex Teel

MARKETING & EVENTS DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Jackie Apoyan EVENTS MANAGER Alyssa Crame

PRODUCTION VICE PRESIDENT OF MANUFACTURING Maria Blondeaux PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Paul Huntsberry PRODUCTION MANAGER Blue Uyeda PRODUCTION ARTIST Marissa Maheras FULFILLMENT MANAGER Doris Hollifield ART DIRECTOR Sean Rademacher GRAPHIC DESIGNER Dany Haniff TRAFFIC SUPERVISOR Estee Wright TRAFFIC COORDINATOR Meagan Hodson

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION Ron Gannon ROUTE MANAGER Joel Segler

GREENSPUN MEDIA GROUP CEO, PUBLISHER & EDITOR Brian Greenspun CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Robert Cauthorn EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR Ric Anderson VOLUME 4, ISSUE 46 Vegas Inc (USPS publication no. 15540), 2275 Corporate Circle, Suite 300, Henderson, NV 89074 is published every Sunday except the last Sunday of the year by Greenspun Media Group. Periodicals Postage Paid at Henderson, NV and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: Vegas Inc 2275 Corporate Circle Suite 300 Henderson, NV 89074 702.990.2545 LAS VEGAS SUN ARCHIVES

VINTAGE VEGAS: LAS VEGAS TRAFFIC A PROBLEM SINCE THE ’70S Traffic congestion on city and county roads has been an ongoing battle for decades. Pictured here on Dec. 27, 1979, cars are backed up on Spring Mountain Road at the Interstate 15 underpass. Several projects, intended to improve and expand the highway network and keep up with the city’s growth and provide local drivers relief, are now underway. Chief among

them is Project Neon, the most expensive public works project in state history, which will widen the almost four miles of I-15 between Sahara Avenue and the Spaghetti Bowl in downtown Las Vegas. The goals of the project are to improve safety, reduce traffic congestion and create better access to downtown. — REBECCA CLIFFORD-CRUZ

For inquiries, write to: Vegas Inc 2275 Corporate Circle, Suite 300 Henderson, NV 89074 For back copies: Doris Hollifield at 702.990.8993 or e-mail at doris.hollifield@gmgvegas.com For subscriptions and customer service: Call 818.487.4538, or visit vegasinc.com. For annual subscriptions, $50. For single copies, $3.99.

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VEGAS INC

the notes

nov. 19- NOV. 25

The Nevada Mining Association appointed Karen Narwold, executive vice president, chief administrative officer and general counsel of Albemarle Corp., to its board of directors. Albemarle Corp. owns and operates the lithium mine in Esmeralda County.

Send your business-related information to news@vegasinc.com

narwold

Alexandra Silver is executive director of the Clark County Medical Society. Diane Fearon is vice president for philanthropy and strategic partnerships at Nathan Adelson Hospice.

fearon

Keith Hughes is director of programs and services for Opportunity Village.

HCA Healthcare acquired Weatherford Regional Medical Center outside Fort Worth, Texas, from subsidiaries of Community Health Systems Inc.

Marcie Smedley is executive director of Henderson Libraries. Todd Cravens is president and CEO of Galaxy Gaming. Galaxy founder Robert Saucier is a director, executive vice president of business development and chief product officer.

Shaun King is executive chef of Momofuku Las Vegas. Spence Johnston is marketing manager at Soffront Software.

Nurse practitioner Nicoletta Campagna specializes in oncology and hematology at Nevada Cancer Specialists, 4750 W. Oakey Blvd.

Calida Group founders Douglas Eisner and Eric Cohen launched the Elysian Living Foundation, benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Las Vegas and other local nonprofit organizations. Jerry Hale is vice president of Midwest operations for Video Gaming Technologies.

Hattie Baker is assistant sales manager at Ascaya. Briana Knowles is an advertising coordinator at Westgate.

as major donors including Southwest Specialty Contractors, Zappos, Robert Earl, Live Nation, Fusch Commercial Interiors and Design, Caesars Entertainment, Elizabeth Arden and Ann White of Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Jeremy Davin Hume is wealth director and vice president of BNY Mellon Wealth Management’s Southern Nevada region, and Douglas Gold is wealth director in the firm’s Las Vegas office.

Dr. Tammy Sarles of Desert Breeze Dental earned her fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry. Paige Lion is vice president of IT and chief information officer of Affinity Gaming.

operations of the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. Carfagnini is Stoli Group’s state manager for Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii. Poole is assistant vice president of corporate accounts (Middle East and African countries) for Ecolab.

campagna

Allstate designated the following as Allstate Premier Agencies for 2017: James Bell, 1000 Green Valley Parkway, Suite 450, Henderson; Melissa Hudson, 270 E. Horizon Drive, Suite 107, Henderson; Helene Karp, 305 N. Pecos Road, Suite C, Henderson; Jeremy Peltz, 3215 St. Rose Parkway, Suite 120, Henderson; Mark Taylor, 10608 S. Eastern Ave., Suite G, Henderson; Kevin Walker, 55 S. Gibson Road, Suite 106, Henderson; Michael Westra, 205 N. Stephanie St., Suite E, Henderson. Jilly Sentino and Tony Parham won Lyft’s “Lyft My Ride” contest. They won $5,000 in vehicle upgrades, getting their cars transformed by Elite Audio Customs & Collision, including custom paint jobs, new karaoke systems and aftermarket rims. Jeff Victor, Matthew Carfagnini and Bryan Poole joined the Las Vegas Business Academy board of directors. Victor is vice president of operations for the D Las Vegas and Golden Gate, and oversees

Todd Polikoff, president and CEO of Jewish Nevada, is participating in Cohort 2 of the Leading Edge CEO Onboarding program. Members of the leadership cohort learn from expert veterans in the Jewish nonprofit field, collaborate with leadership coaches, hone management skills at the Center for Creative Leadership, and study with the Shalom Hartman Institute and the Israel Institute. Drew Stagg is a private wealth adviser and Matthew Elliott is portfolio manager for U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management in Las Vegas. uBreakiFix, owned by Daniel Alnajjar, is open at 7175 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite 170. The Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, in partnership with DC Building Group, Almany Architecture and Penta Building Group, opened the Britney Spears Campus at 3711 E. Sunset Road. The 16,000-square-foot facility combines more than 45 pediatric and adult services. The new building was made possible by Spears and her efforts to raise $1 million with donations from ticket sales to the “Piece of Me” show at Planet Hollywood, as well

Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken is open at the Grand Bazaar Shops. Corduroy is open at 515 Fremont St., Las Vegas. Pollo Campero opened at 1025 W. Craig Road, North Las Vegas. Charlie’s Bar & Grill is open at Wynn Las Vegas. B&P Advertising, Media and Public Relations is handling public relations for the Nevada Association of Employers. B&P also is providing public relations services for Henriksen/Butler, which specializes in interior design. The UniFirst industrial laundry facility was awarded TRSA Hygienically Clean Food Safety certification status for its cleaning and servicing of work apparel for food-related industries. TRSA is an international organization representing textile services companies, with expertise to determine the most hygienic laundering solutions for food manufacturing and food processing facilities and workplaces. The Southern Nevada Health District was honored with the Model Practice Award by the National Association of County and City Health Officials. The award celebrates local health departments for developing programs that demonstrate exemplary and replicable best practices in response to a critical local public health need. The Health District’s Instilling Food Safety Culture Prior to Permit Issuance program was one of 41 local health department programs to receive NACCHO’s prestigious Model Practice Award. USA Today’s “10Best” Readers’ Choice honors named Red Rock Resort, Caesars Palace and the Cromwell in the “Best U.S. Casino” category. Caesars Palace ranked No. 2, the Cromwell ranked No. 8 and Red Rock Resort ranked No. 10. The Latin Chamber of Commerce opened the LCC Business and Resource Center at 2930 Las Vegas Blvd. North, North Las Vegas. Vegas EXP, an interactive digital store, is open at 3635 Las Vegas Blvd. South, at the Grand Bazaar Shops.

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the interview Send your business-related information to news@vegasinc.com

VEGAS INC nov. 19- Nov. 25

Q&A with Rino Armeni

Hospitality honcho: ‘There’s no room to be timid’ By Rebecca Clifford-Cruz | STAFF WRITER

Rino Armeni, chairman of Armeni Enterprises and founder of the Las Vegas Business Academy, brought robotic bartenders to Las Vegas this summer with the opening of Tipsy Robot at the Miracle Mile Shops. “Customers are excited to engage with the technology,” he said. “They ask lots of questions and almost never leave without taking a picture or video to share online.” Do you have any recent news you’d like to share? The nonprofit organization I founded in 2011, the Las Vegas Business Academy, recently announced its first UNLV Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering fellowship recipient, Zachary Laney. He is a wonderful young man who was a cryptologist in the U.S. Navy and will use what he learns during his fellowship to improve Las Vegas’ cybersecurity systems. How was the Tipsy Robot concept conceived? One of my business partners found robotic bartenders on the internet, where they debuted on a major cruise liner. We approached the manufacRino Armeni toasts his robotic bartenders at Tipsy Robot in the Miracle Mile Shops turing company (Makr Shakr) about at Planet Hollywood. (steve marcus/staff) bringing the robots to Las Vegas. We advice can you offer potential ful twists and turns and highlights, worked with them to modify and imcandidates? but even at the time, I knew the Grand prove the guest experience. The selection process is quite rigFloridian would be a unique experiGuests can order one of 18 special orous. We are looking for bright stuence. robotic cocktails, or create their own dents who have an inclination for concoctions, by using one of our tableadership. They have to be smart What is the best business adlets. The tablets send the customer’s and willing to go through a difficult vice you’ve received? drink(s) to the robots, which mix, stir, training program. The most imporMy manager at Piccadilly Internashake and dance. tant thing is our mentorship program. tional Hotel in London used to always Every month, students work with a tell me, “Don’t do tomorrow what you Have you had any obstacles or mentor from a different industry, so can do today.” It was 1975. More than challenges with the robots? that when they graduate, they will be 40 years later, it’s a phrase I live by beThe evolution of the technology is multidimensional. cause tomorrow isn’t promised. an ongoing process. It took us about Potential candidates must have in30 days to perfect the technology pritegrity, honesty and never be afraid What is your involvement in the or to opening. Before that, we spent to share their thoughts. Through the Las Vegas Business Academy? six months planning it all. The hardmentorship program, our students As with all of my business and est part was integrating the commuare able to see these traits up close charitable endeavors, I am heavily innication between the tablets and the and personal. The Las Vegas business volved in the day-to-day operations. robots. But it was all worth it. community has opened its doors to I founded the academy with the sole the LVBA students. intent to find the brightest minds What would say has been your I would encourage potential candiUNLV’s graduate schools had to offer, greatest professional achievedates to be authentic and not be afraid and give them the tools necessary to ment? to challenge the status quo. There is become our city’s greatest leaders and Opening Disney’s Grand Floridno room to be timid in the business innovators. ian Resort & Spa. I had people from world. Las Vegas Business Academy stuaround the world asking me how we dents represent a diverse group of did it. The answer? A lot of sleepless What’s the biggest issue facing individuals across a variety of indusnights. I was the resort’s food and bevSouthern Nevada? tries. Our alumni work in hospitality, erage manager at the time and helped Las Vegas’ economy thrives on law and business, and are ambassacreate the concept and menu for Victourism. Since I moved here in 1989, dors for our current crop of students. toria and Albert’s, which is still one of the city has grown mostly in the hosthe nation’s premier dining experipitality space. I’d like to see more What is the selection process ences. high-tech, commercial, industrial for LVBA candidates, and what My career has been full of wonder-

and transportation industries help elevate the status of our city. Las Vegas has the potential to one day become a world-renowned city of industry, like New York or Los Angeles. What’s your favorite place to have fun in Las Vegas? I enjoy watching the Golden Knights and going to hard rock concerts. I recently saw Deep Purple, and they put on an incredible show. I have a lot of fun at work. I am a workaholic and always have been. I often get to the office by 5 or 6 a.m. I am fortunate to love what I do. I have fun interacting with customers and staff at Tipsy Robot and meeting with the Las Vegas Business Academy’s board of directors to discuss future initiatives. When you love what you do, it’s work in name only. If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be? I’ve lived in London, Paris, Milan, Washington, D.C., New York City, Vienna, Düsseldorf (Germany), St. Louis, Orlando (Fla.) and Las Vegas. But I was born and raised in Italy, and my roots there run deep. So if I could pack up and move tomorrow, I’d go to Rome. It has thousands of years of history, great food and la dolce vita (the sweet life). I have family in Rome, and I visit them two or three times a year. Every time I leave, I wish I could’ve stayed longer. Whom do you admire? Abraham Lincoln is my hero. His leadership is legendary. The way he handled the emancipation and the Civil War is a masterpiece of leadership and compassion that everybody should possess. What is something that people might not know about you? People are surprised that I love hard rock and heavy metal. Being Italian, people assume I like opera. But even to this day, there is nothing I like more than going to a great concert.

VEGAS INC

get to know a local business

nov. 19- NOV. 25

Send your business-related information to news@vegasinc.com

by the numbers

1 million

Number of downloads a fake version of WhatsApp received from the Google Play store. The app was nearly identical to the actual WhatsApp. Spoof apps have become prevalent recently, installing malware and generating ad clicks.

$105 billion

Amount Broadcom — a computer chip manufacturer — has offered to buy Qualcomm, also a mobile chip manufacturer. It would have been the largest takeover deal ever in the electronics industry, but Qualcomm rejected the offer.

80 percent

Share of children at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh who needed to be sedated before a CT scan, prior to the hospital’s development of the Adventure Series. These machines are painted and themed to make them less scary, and now, less than 3 percent of children require sedation before scans.

$165 million

Value of a painting that was stolen 30 years ago and recently found hidden behind a bedroom door in New Mexico. The owners of the house where the painting was found had recently died, so the executor of their estate sold everything in the house to an antique dealer for $2,000. A customer at the antique store was the first to recognize the Willem De Kooning painting.

$765 million

Value of a joint venture between Ford and Chinese car manufacturer Zotye Auto that allows Ford to produce electric vehicles in China.

51%

Share of Fortune 500 companies that have the color blue in their logo. The EPC Group recently analyzed logos of every Fortune 500 company and broke down different design elements. Logos are most commonly blue, black or red, and 82 percent use no more than two colors.

Alex Gao is the founder and a sculptor at Moment 3D, which offers 3-D printing services and conducts workshops to teach the public about the technology. (mikayla whitmore/staff)

‘Anytime you want to make a physical thing, you’re our client’ By Rebecca clifford-cruz staff writer

Describe your business.

Moment 3D Address: 145 N. Gibson Road, Suite B, Henderson Phone: 702-826- 4022 Email: info@ moment3d.space Website: moment3d.space Hours of operation: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday Owned/operated by: Alex Gao In business since: 2016

a request to build a custom walkercane prototype. The project required multiple skill sets, such as computer-aided design, 3-D printing and metal fabrication, to deliver the functional prototype.

Moment 3D exists to bring our client’s vision into reality. We provide product development service that specializes in 3-D printing. We have helped develop prototypes for jewelry, electronic housing, family portraits, statues, replacement parts, toys and even drones. Our long-term goal is to bring prototyping, manufacturing, patenting and marketing under one roof, where we can help anyone bring an idea into the market. In addition, we host workshops and open houses from time to time, providing private lessons for clients to run their 3-D printers, and we work with local artists to feature their work and talk everything 3-D.

In no particular order: collaboration, inspire, connect, care and. finally, work hard. Work hard. Work hard.

How was the concept conceived?

What obstacles has your business overcome?

I remember the excitement I felt when I held my first 3-D print in 2010, a creation I’d been working on for months. When I realized there is not a good outlet for people to learn about 3-D printing, I saw an opportunity to bridge that gap between the technology and consumers.

We have overcome many obstacles along our journey to start the business. Our short-term challenge is growth and exposure. We’re just getting started, but our goal is to build a long-term business.

What is your business philosophy?

What is the best part about doing business in Southern Nevada?

There are lots of conventions hosted here throughout the year, which is a good access to information and projects.

Tell us more about your focus on education. Who are your clients/customers?

Anytime you want to make a physical thing, you’re our client. Our clients are businesses that are product-focused — inventors, makers, jewelers and artists. What’s the most complex order you’ve worked on?

One of the more complex projects we took early on was

Although we focus on product development, education is a big part of what we do. Every third Saturday of the month, we host a free workshop to the public. This workshop serves as a platform for people to learn about 3-D printing technology. Topics can range from software/ hardware tips, a 3-D print crash course, a creative demonstration or even more hands-on activities.

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Reader comments We want to hear from you. Visit vegasinc.com to post your opinion.

On Camalot Todd’s story “Nearly 1,000 students debate big issues at 61st Sun Youth Forum”: Sometimes age and experience are overrated because people can be stuck in their old ways and unable to change. — 360Dunk On Thomas Moore’s story “Zipline to be added to the Linq in 2018”: It would take away from the beautiful, refined look and atmosphere of the Promenade. — Diane L Whitlock On Mick Akers’ story “Las Vegas self-driving shuttle in minor wreck on launch day”: It was the human who caused the accident and was cited. — Stephen Moran On Mick Akers’ story “ ‘Very exciting day’: Driverless shuttle starts yearlong stretch in downtown Las Vegas”: I only wish it went all the way down to Atomic Liquor. — Gary Reininger On Ric Anderson, Adam Candee and Michael Lyle’s story “It’s not a bubble: Local real estate’s rebound is solid, from sought-after neighborhoods to those hit hardest”: My wife and I considered Ecuador for retirement years ago. It’s actually cheaper, and better, to retire here from the Bay Area and Seattle. — Bob Rasmussen

VEGAS INC nov. 19- Nov. 25

Keeping up with technology is not optional

guest column: facility managers do their jobs. As it relates ne of the most significant chalmark haley to telecommunications equipment, the lenges faced by event planners sheer number of elements that require onand organizers is the need to going monitoring (routers, servers, data acremain on top of technology cess points, etc.) has skyrocketed. Without trends and offer attendees the latest ameniupgrades to a facility’s monitoring system, it can take much ties. Competition for attention increases with each passing longer to identify and address errors in coverage, leading year, and companies must offer enticing technology perks to to outages and unhappy customers. Emerging technologies grow their audience. Here are four trends in particular that and cloud-based software allow facilities to reduce the time meetings and convention facilities need to be aware of: between system sweeps and enable onsite staff to identify n Technology is always evolving: The biggest, most and correct errors in real time. obvious hurdle with technology is that it advances rapidly. Popular social media platforms and experiential event n The price of doing business: Many facilities are components of today might be an afterthought tomorrow. looking to technology as a way to cut overhead and reduce Keeping pace requires a flexible team, plenty of research operating costs. There is an increasing call for sustainable and, perhaps most important, scalable solutions that don’t solutions, and replacing outdated systems with newer, require starting back at square one with every new update. energy-efficient equipment can have a positive effect on a facility’s operations budget, freeing up funds to be used on n Modernizing and upgrading facilities: While staying upgrading other systems. abreast of the latest technological developments is important The bottom line: Event hosts can’t take a break when conto any venue, it is impossible to make the best use of new sidering how to engage attendees. However, every challenge technology if your facility lacks the infrastructure to support comes with a solution to be better prepared and give attendincreased demand on resources. It seems obvious, but if your ees an experience they expect. Many components contribute electrical system is outdated or in poor condition, renovato your ability to deliver a first-class experience. By taking tions are necessary to ensure electrical reliability. Likewise, it a holistic approach to upgrading a venue’s technology, and is important for venues to include sufficient funding in their by continually evaluating your systems against new technoannual budget for the level of technology maintenance and logical developments, you can ensure your facility will be a upgrades required to maximize venue efficiencies. preferred destination for years to come. n Smarter monitoring technology: Increasingly, new Mark Haley is president of Smart City Networks. tools and technologies change the way buildings operate and

Smith’s world

Mike Smith is an award-winning editorial cartoonist who also draws for the Las Vegas Sun. His work is distributed nationally by King Features Syndicate. See archives of his work at lasvegassun.com/smithsworld.

VEGAS INC

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nov. 19- NOV. 25

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MGM likely to focus on Strip remodels, not new casinos By thomas moore Staff Writer

MGM Resorts International is done building new casinos in the U.S. and will likely spend future development dollars on remodeling its Strip properties in the same way it’s remodeling Monte Carlo, the company’s CEO says. In a recent earnings call, MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren said that with the exception of a potential casino in Japan, the company is largely finished building new resorts. “Cotai (MGM’s newest Macau property) is on the horizon, opens in January,” Murren said. “And Springfield, Mass., will be the home of our newest property, and our last major development project here in the United States when it opens in September. “And that really winds down our development cycle.” If there are larger new projects, Murren indicated they would be in Las Vegas. “Where we’re focusing our capital is where we dominate, which is here, and

obviously, in Las Vegas,” he said. The template for those projects would probably be the rebranding and remodel of the Monte Carlo. In June 2016, MGM announced it would be “reimagining” the Monte Carlo, and spending $450 million to create two new hotels in one building: Park MGM, a 2,700-room luxury hotel tied thematically to MGM’s outdoor space, the Park; and NoMad, a separate smaller hotel with 292 guestrooms and suites, its own lobby, swimming pool, casino and restaurants. Murren said many of the new venues are open, and he expects the full conversion to be finished by the end of 2018. He also said results from the work finished so far have been good. “When we have opened venues, and we’ve only opened a few new ones, they’ve been profoundly successful,” he said. “The returns on capital on Monte Carlo, I would say, would be some of the highest we’ve ever committed over the last five years, well in excess of any new build.”

As a result, Murren said, “that’s the kind of project that I think you should look toward the future for us.” Which MGM property would be chosen first for a remodel? At first glance, it would seem that some of the older ones such as Circus Circus would be likely candidates. The family-themed property has expanded over the decades, but has never undergone a major refurbishing. Customers, though, seem to like Circus Circus just the way it is. “Circus Circus is doing really well from a cash flow perspective,” gaming analyst John DeCree said. “It’s firing on all cylinders.” Anthony F. Lucas, a professor of gaming at UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, said if the deciding factor is what rooms are most in need of a reboot, then the Luxor would be a good candidate. In April 2016, Murren said MGM had long-term plans to remodel both the Luxor and Excalibur. “Excalibur is going to get a tremen-

dous amount of investment, and Luxor itself also will,” Murren said at the time. “My feeling there is that it is a great name — Luxor — and I doubt very much we’d ever change the name. We’ll keep Excalibur, as well. But there are some long-range plans to invest in both of those properties.” But these decisions are often less about what hotels are in need of upgrades and more about what changes will return the most money for the company’s investment, said Lucas, who has worked for Harvey’s Resort, Harrah’s, MGM Grand and Palace Station. If, for example, there’s more potential to make money from redoing the Mirage, then that could be the next project. “If you look at the broader market, let’s say, and call it the Strip, you also have to look at the submarkets, like south Strip or center Strip,” he said. “Maybe investing in the center Strip might get a better return on your money, so that’s where you invest first. The Mirage may have more potential in terms of a return on investment.”

Investing in Las Vegas Our commitment to the Nevada business community is unwavering. We’re dedicated to client service and creating opportunities for success.

Jennifer Hostetler returns to the Labor & Employment team after serving Chief Deputy Attorney General for the Personnel Division in the Nevada Ofﬁce of the Attorney General.

Adrienne Brantley is a graduate of the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and joins the ﬁrm’s Litigation practice group.

Nancy Snow brings engineering experience to our Intellectual Property practice, and is a graduate of the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Join us in welcoming Jennifer Hostetler, Adrienne Brantley and Nancy Snow to the Las Vegas office.

Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP

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702 949 8200

VEGAS INC

your Business-to-business news

nov. 19- Nov. 25

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Las Vegas has eyes on Super Bowl, NFL draft, World Cup By adam candee Staff Writer

Marc Badain brought quite a bit of hope with him to a recent meeting of the Las Vegas Stadium Authority board. The Raiders president spoke for just two minutes, but he laid out more specifics on the team’s efforts to attract the Super Bowl, NFL draft and FIFA World Cup to Las Vegas within the next decade. Badain said the draft could be staged in Las Vegas as early as 2019 or 2020, while the team is hoping for a Super Bowl in either 2024 or 2025. Las Vegas also is one of 25 American cities under consideration to be included in the unified North American bid to host soccer’s crown jewel. The final bid will include 12 to 16 North American cities and will be submitted to FIFA, the sport’s governing body, in March. The Raiders stadium project is expected to be completed by July 2020, in time for the team to play that NFL season here. The $1.9 billion effort broke ground Nov. 13 with a ceremony at the stadium site near Interstate 15 and Russell Road.

LIVING on the

Bollards to line Strip by New Year’s Eve By april corbin Staff Writer

Clark County is on track to finish installing 800 steel posts along the Strip by New Year’s Eve to protect pedestrians from vehicular attacks — and it’s already set a lofty goal of putting up an additional 7,500 posts next year. The steel posts — called bollards — are equally spaced and connected under the sidewalk. They are designed to withstand the impact of a 15,000-pound vehicle, such as a 30-foot moving truck, traveling upward of 50 mph. Public Works Director Denis Cederburg said the first phase, which covers Las Vegas Boulevard between Tropicana Avenue and Spring Mountain Road, is scheduled for completion by late December. Commissioners fast-tracked the project in June, and installation of the bollards began last month. The $4 million project is being funded from a 1 percent hotel room tax. Each bollard costs $3,600 to purchase and install. The county purchased 1,200 of them — 800 for immediate installation and another 400 for yet-to-be-determined locations. Commissioners have directed staff to move forward with planning for the second phase of

the project, which is expected to involve the installation of 7,500 bollards to cover the remaining areas of the Strip — from the Las Vegas welcome sign to Tropicana Avenue on the south side, and from Spring Mountain Road to Sahara Avenue on the north. No cost estimate has been given for Phase 2. Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak has said the entire project should be expedited and completed as soon as possible. “I know we’ll open a newspaper in another week or month and another person will have done it again,” he said, referencing incidents in which people have intentionally driven vehicles into crowds of people. On Oct. 31, a man inspired by the Islamic State rented a truck and drove it onto a popular bike path in New York City. Eight pedestrians and cyclists were killed. Las Vegas has not been immune to such incidents. In December 2015, an Oregon woman drove her 1996 Oldsmobile onto a sidewalk on Las Vegas Boulevard near Paris Las Vegas and Planet Hollywood, killing one person and injuring at least 34 others. In 2005, a Californian drove a stolen Buick onto the sidewalk near Bally’s, killing two and injuring 11.

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crow dsourci n g, from page 1

Creative solutions can come from anyone military innovate its way forward, the nonprofit organization was established in 2012 in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. And in early November, an offshoot known as AFwerx Vegas signed a lease on a space that will become an innovation center serving the Air Force. “Our purpose is to serve the warfighter, the operators on the ground who need solutions fast,” said Bobby Mack, marketing and events manager for AFwerx Vegas. He explained that the planned facility — at the Hughes Center just off the Strip — would include a 10,000-square-foot fabrication lab and a 15,000-squarefoot collaboration area for “innovators, government, students and the community to come together to try Maj. Gen. Peter Gersten, commander of the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center at and solve some of the Air Force’s Nellis Air Force Base, discusses AFwerx, which aims to strip away bureaucratic red toughest issues today.” tape in service of innovation. The first AFwerx location will be near UNLV. (U.S. Air During a visit to Nellis Air Force Force photo by Lawrence Crespo) Base on July 21, Air Force Secretary over at Lucky Mart — (maybe) they puter system. “Then we can see what Heather Wilson announced the crehave an idea and want to come to our kind of CPU we can put in there that ation of AFwerx to open the door to space and work through that in our can be cost-effective to get that fixed collaborations that could push the Air innovation center. We want more opin weeks, instead of that process poForce to “move faster and be smarter” portunities to solve these problems. tentially taking years to accomplish without a lot of money or bureaucracy. ‘Crowdsourcing,’ if you will,” Mack if it were to go directly through the Wilson said the first location would be said of the Air Force’s own innovative Air Force.” near UNLV so the campus and greater approach through AFwerx. Maj. Gen. Peter Gersten, comcommunity could easily engage with In the news report out of Nellis, mander of the Warfare Center at Nelthe Air Force and present solutions to Gersten acknowledged how “formilis, said in an internal news report specific problems. dable” military acquisitions and testthat the Air Force had made great “We’re changing the way we do ing can seem to outsiders. But the Air gains in working with outside entibusiness with innovators,” Wilson Force recognizes that great ideas can ties through industrial partnerships. said in a release from her public come from tinkerers and hackers as “Working with these companies, affairs team. “Bringing an AFwerx well as from engineers and scientists. we’ve slayed speed, stealth, cyber storefront to Vegas allows us to take “The more people we are able to and space challenges on a level that advantage of Nevada’s emerging idea reach with these problem sets,” Mack the world is envious of,” Gersten said. marketplace.” said, “the more likely we are to be “But what we’ve also found is that Mack said Defensewerx able to get this accomplished.” 80 percent of the U.S. population has (formerly the Doolittle Institute, The benefit can go both ways. Mack no idea how to enter into the Departwhich rebranded this summer), explained that generators of useful ment of Defense’s domain for new was contracted to help establish ideas — even if they’re rough — stand programs.” AFwerx Vegas. He pointed to to profit from the application of their AFwerx Vegas promises to answer Defensewerx’s success with U.S. intellectual property through an exthat by designating “open to the pubSpecial Operations Command and its tensive process of review and techlic” hours (though appointments will SOFwerx storefront in Tampa, Fla., a nology transfer. be encouraged) and inviting individuphysical/online space for connecting “We’ve had events where students als and groups to come in and present innovators to operators. have the creative mindset to lay out a ideas. Mack said it would create inThe mission of this new nonprofit possible solution that might not have ternships for students and stage tech is to quickly and efficiently answer been spot-on,” he said of acceleraaccelerators and prototyping events calls for tech-based solutions when tors in Florida and Boston hosted by to bring in experts on various topics so issues are presented by the Air Force, Defensewerx and SOFwerx. “That’s their brain power can be maximized. the Air Force Research Laboratory or when other experts can come in and Such activities will be open to innovaeven a specific base. work with them and say, ‘Hey, actutors from all walks of life, designed to “For example, (central processing ally you can do this, this and this and bring a diverse spectrum of potential units) on A-10 (jets) that need to be work with your idea, as this is the Air Force contractors to the fore. updated and need to be able to have best solution. We just need to tweak “Students, government workers faster processing skills,” Mack said of it a little bit.’ ” or maybe somebody who is working a challenge to improve the jet’s com-

AFwerx Vegas is set to serve as a central hub for such interactions and the model for subsequent locations. Their staffs will talk through challenges with Air Force experts, then solicit new solutions from their surrounding communities. Once analysis is presented to the Air Force, it can make decisions about where to invest, whether the innovation is in software or materials. Mack said the flagship space at the Hughes Center was undergoing demolition and construction in its first phase. A planned ribbon cutting in January (featuring Secretary Wilson) will be followed by two more phases of development. The first floor will be the fabrication lab, where 3-D printers, shop bots, laser cutters and other tools can be used to design and prototype concepts that address particular problem sets. “The first floor is kind of the tech rise,” Mack said. “Some of these ideas will come to fruition.” The collaboration arena will be equipped to seat more than 100 people, with smaller breakout rooms — some requiring special access, so government and military personnel can collaborate with AFwerx on sensitive projects. Representatives have met with UNLV and area community colleges to plan out their internship offerings, ranging from tech-related fields to marketing and hospitality. “We want to bring in some of the best and brightest to learn and contribute through internships for credit,” Mack said. “Those students who want some hands-on experience, who are truly interested in the fields they are studying and need to work with some of those tools more in a real-life setting, can do so.” When AFwerx Vegas is fully operational (expected by late March), the Air Force envisions the staff as a mix of active-service members, academic fellows and cadets from local universities with the drive to achieve Wilson’s aim of looking in every corner for the next big breakthrough. “If we’re not reaching these segments of our population who are coming up with some fantastic ideas, then we’re not tapping into the full capabilities that our country affords us,” Gersten said.

VEGAS INC nov. 19- NOV. 25

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Calendar of events MONDAY, NOV. 20

Kristin McMillan, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Metro Chamber, wields a lightsaber while welcoming attendees to the Metro Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Preview Las Vegas event. (l.e. baskow/staff file)

Training topics will cover the latest in lighting fundamentals, LED lighting and controls, and ways to increase savings with available cash incentives. PowerShift Energy Advisors will discuss business needs and offer energy-saving opportunities. Legal Structure 101 Time: 6-7 p.m. Cost: Free Location: See Us Now Staffing, 4530 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 9, Las Vegas Information: Call the Nevada Women’s Business Center at 702-734-3555 Learn about the differences, advantages and disadvantages of your business being a sole proprietorship, limited liability company, corporation or partnership.

TUESDAY, NOV. 28

Kristin McMillan farewell reception Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m. (registration required) Cost: Free Location: SLS Las Vegas, 2535 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas Information: Contact Monica Fluker at 702586-3844 or mfluker@lvchamber.com, or Nicole Neal at 702-586-3851 or nneal@lvchamber.com Join the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce in wishing chamber President and CEO Kristin McMillan well as she embarks on her next chapter.

TUESDAY, NOV. 21 Save Energy, Save Money: LED Lighting and Controls Training Time: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (reservations required by Nov. 20) Cost: Free Location: NV Energy Beltway Building, 7155 S. Lindell Road, Las Vegas Information: Contact NV Energy’s Commercial Energy Services at 800-342-6335 or commercial@nvenergy.com Learn how to save money with energy-efficient lighting technology. This NV Energy training session will feature lighting expert Dennis Reitz from mysupplier.com, who has served on the Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Los Angeles Sustainability Committee.

Brett Lashbrook, who owns the Las Vegas Lights FC, speaks during a ceremony in August by the United Soccer League at the Zappos Corporate Office in downtown. (mikayla whitmore/staff file)

Vegas Young Professionals Bigwig Lunch Time Time: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: $15 Location: Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, 575 Symphony Park Ave., Suite 100, Las Vegas Information: Contact Danica Torchin at 702586-3834 or dtorchin@lvchamber.com Get insights and information from one of Las Vegas’ most influential community figures. This month’s bigwig is Brett Lashbrook, owner and founder of the Las Vegas Lights FC, Las Vegas’ new professional soccer team, playing its debut season in 2018.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 29 2017 Customer Service Excellence Luncheon Time: 11 a.m.-1:15 p.m. (registration required by Nov. 27) Cost: $45 Location: Mardi Gras Ballroom at the Orleans, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas Information: Contact Lauren Stuart at 702-5863809 Celebrate this year’s Customer Service Excellence recipients. Bronze, silver and gold recognition will be given to employees who have been recognized multiple times throughout the program year.

THURSDAY, NOV. 30 Economic Development & Small Business Awards Time: 6-9 p.m. (Registration required by Nov. 27) Cost: $95 Location: Green Valley Ranch Grand Ballroom, 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway, Henderson Information: Contract Donna Israelson of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce at 702-5658951 or disraelson@hendersonchamber.com The Henderson Chamber of Commerce and the city of Henderson highlight members who are making a difference in the small-business community in several categories: customer service, all in the family, business on the rise, innovation, outstanding community service, outstanding nonprofit and green business. The Noble Award also will be presented in honor of longtime chamber member Laird Noble Sanders. The Career Whisperer Series: Influential Networking and Selling — Las Vegas Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: $99 Location: 4505 W. Hacienda Ave., Suite G2, Las Vegas Information: Visit blogtalkradio.com/tonywilkins Learn the secrets to gaining exposure and selling products and services to a greater audience in 90 days or less. This is a one-day intensive program designed to teach sales professionals the tricks to increasing their sales. Topics will be tailored for attendees but will include businessto-business appointment setting, influential networking, sales through speaking, Publicity 101, publishing and sales strategies.

Conventions

expected Show Location Dates attendance

Vegas Baby Invitational

Caesars Palace

Nov. 18-22

600

Nevada Governor’s Global Tourism Summit

Flamingo

Nov. 30-Dec. 7

325

Cliff Keen Las Vegas Collegiate Wrestling Invitational

Las Vegas Convention Center

Dec. 1-2

2,000

National American Indian Housing Council Legal Symposium

Venetian

Dec. 3-5

325

the data Send your business-related information to news@vegasinc.com

the sunday nov. 19- Nov. 25

Records and Transactions BANKRUPTCIES CHAPTER 11 6635 W. Oquendo LLC 9128 Diamond Lake Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89129 Attorney: Andrew Van Ness at hunterparkerllc@gmail.com Yucca Land Co. 8912 Spanish Ridge Ave., Suite 200 Las Vegas, NV 89148 Attorney: Brett Axelrod at baxelrod@foxrothschild.com

Bid Opportunities Nov. 28 2:15 p.m. Family courts elevator modernization Clark County, 604665 Sandy Moody-Upton at scm@ clarkcountynv.gov

Dec. 1 3 p.m. Annual requirements contract for laundry equipment maintenance services Clark County, 604674 Tom Boldt at tboldt@clarkcountynv.gov

Dec. 15 2:15 p.m. Northern Clark County 215 Bruce Woodbury Beltway, North Fifth Street to UPRR Clark County, 604560 Tom Boldt at tboldt@clarkcountynv.gov

Brokered transactions Sales $7,300,000 for 90,610 square feet, multifamily residential 525 E. St. Louis Ave., Las Vegas 89104 Seller: St. Louis LV Holdings Seller agent: Cathy Jones, Paul Miachika, Roy Fritz, Jessica Cegavske and Jennifer Lehr of Sun Commercial Real Estate Buyer: Patel Family Trust Buyer agent: Sunnyside Group $2,750,000 for 10,000 square feet, office 9070 W. Cheyenne Ave., Las Vegas 89129 Seller: PCB Pensivy Seller agent: Marcus & Millichap Buyer: Kerry Holt Buyer agent: Lisa Hauger and Timothy Erickson of Sun Commercial Real Estate $2,525,000 for 2.5 acres, land Roy Horn Way near Edmond Street, Las Vegas 89118

Seller: Did not disclose Seller agent: Omni Family Limited Partnership Buyer: NV LAS DEC LLC Buyer agent: Brian Fike of Colliers International $1,150,000 for 4.95 acres, land 2980 Lincoln Road, Las Vegas 89115 Seller: Far East Aluminum Works Seller agent: The Larkin Industrial Group and NAI Vegas Buyer: Tortilla Inc. Buyer agent: Sean Zaher of CBRE $1,050,000 for 10,128 square feet, industrial 2917 Brookspark Drive, North Las Vegas 89030 Seller: Brookspark Drive LLC Seller agent: CBRE Buyer: Auto-Chlor Systems of Las Vegas Buyer agent: Lisa Hauger, Timothy Erickson and Tim Behrendt of Sun Commercial Real Estate $830,000 for 5,740 square feet, office 375 N. Stephanie St., Building 10, Henderson 89014 Seller: Stephanie 10 LLC Seller agent: Paul Chaffee and Wil Chaffee of Sun Commercial Real Estate Buyer: LVH Holdings and RMZX Defined Benefit Plan Pension Trust Buyer agent: iProperties International $132,500 for 1,400 square feet, industrial 4300 N. Pecos Road, Suite 17, Las Vegas 89115 Seller: Chriselle McMahon Seller agent: Eric Molfetta and Chris Zunis of Colliers International Buyer: James Tsunis Buyer agent: Did not disclose

Leases $816,726 for 4,892 square feet, office 6325 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 420, Las Vegas 89118 Landlord: WGHII Acquisitions Landlord agent: CBRE Tenant: Your Leasing Solution Tenant agent: Renae Russo of Sun Commercial Real Estate $698,268 for 7,713 square feet, office 777 N. Rainbow Blvd., Suites 130 and 135, Las Vegas 89107 Landlord: Rainbow Business Center Landlord agent: Colliers International Tenant: Telassistant Tenant agent: Michael Brazill and Edward Bassford of Sun Commercial Real Estate $536,500 for 1,780 square feet, retail 9440 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 180, Las Vegas 89117 Landlord: G&I VIII Village Square Landlord agent: Jacqueline Young

and Liz Clare of Avison Young Tenant: Grabbagreen Tenant agent: Mike Leonard of Catalyst Commercial Group $525,700 for 12,485 square feet, industrial 3975 W. Post Road, Las Vegas 89118 Landlord: Gaunt Industrial Properties Landlord agent: JLL Tenant: Duralum Products Tenant agent: Lisa Hauger, Timothy Erickson and Tim Behrendt of Sun Commercial Real Estate $434,700 for 4,500 square feet, retail 2680 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite B, Las Vegas 89109 Landlord: Sahara Town Square Landlord agent: Tanner Susa of Real Estate Asset Management Tenant: Carlitos Cuban Food Tenant agent: Did not disclose $381,500 for 6,580 square feet, office 2651 N. Green Valley Parkway, Suite 102D, Henderson 89014 Landlord: 2625 GV LLC Landlord agent: Barton Hyde and Scott Donaghe of Avison Young Tenant: Catapult Fundraising Tenant agent: Buzz Horden of Vegas Commercial Real Estate $240,822 for 2,800 square feet, retail 229 N. Stephanie St., Suites D-E, Henderson 89074 Landlord: Stephanie Promenade Landlord agent: Michael Zobrist and Nelson Tressler of Newmark Knight Frank Tenant: Henderson Aikido Tenant agent: Did not disclose $216,561 for 3,240 square feet, retail 6985 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 117, Las Vegas 89117 Landlord: SRP Plaza Landlord agent: Tanner Susa of Real Estate Asset Management Tenant: Duty Free Korea Tenant agent: Did not disclose $173,908 for 2,022 square feet, retail 9640 W. Tropicana Ave., Suites 118-119, Las Vegas 89147 Landlord: Teepee Development Landlord agent: Rob Moore and Matt Patros of Sun Commercial Real Estate Tenant: Senza Gluten-Free Bakery Tenant agent: Savant CRE $136,512 for 1,600 square feet, retail 4115 S. Grand Canyon Parkway, Suite 100, Las Vegas 89147 Landlord: Grand Canyon Center Landlord agent: Michael Zobrist and Nelson Tressler of Newmark Knight Frank Tenant: Daddy’s Q Tenant agent: Did not disclose

$126,390 for 5,400 square feet, industrial 4640 S. Polaris Ave., Suite A, Las Vegas 89103 Landlord: CV PropCo Landlord agent: Gatski Commercial Real Estate Services Tenant: ABC Rifle Co. Tenant agent: Paul Chaffee and Wil Chaffee of Sun Commercial Real Estate

BUSINESS LICENSES 510 Concessions License type: Temporary merchant Address: 1400 N. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas Owner: Daniel Bernethy and Shaun Gartman 702AC License type: Contractor Address: 220 Beesley Drive, Las Vegas Owner: Did not disclose A1 Restoration License type: Residential property maintenance Address: Did not disclose Owner: Tzvika Aharoni A3 Merchandise License type: Distribution center Address: 180 Cassia Way, Suite 511, Henderson Owner: A3 Merchandise AAA Appraisal Management Company License type: Professional services Address: 2764 Lake Sahara Drive, Suite 109, Las Vegas Owner: Wassim Chaker and Marlene Minite Alicia’s Cleaning License type: Residential property maintenance Address: Did not disclose Owner: Alicia Henriquez Apex Home Inspections License type: Professional services Address: Did not disclose Owner: Amanda and Thomas Harenberg Ascension Therapeutics License type: Personal services Address: 330 Fuente Drive, Henderson Owner: Heather Zeni Athleta License type: General retail sales Address: 1053 S. Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas Owner: Athleta LLC Best Permanent Makeup & Spa License types: Permanent makeup; cosmetology Address: 23 N. Mojave Road, Suites B-C, Las Vegas Owner: Yesenia Felix-Rodriguez

Best RE Investments License type: Short-term residential rental (owner) Address: 1124 Olvera Way, Las Vegas Owner: Ben Raffi Blackjack Window Tinting License type: Automobile services Address: 2630 Sunridge Heights Parkway, Henderson Owner: Blackjack Window Tinting Blue Fin 24 License type: Mail order/internet sales Address: 2652 Star Manor St., North Las Vegas Owner: Leon 111 Jordan Boost Mobile License type: General retail sales Address: 4656 E. Sunset Road, Henderson Owner: MGZ Cell Services Bounce U License type: Miscellaneous sales/ service Address: 1000 Stephanie Place, Suite 14, Henderson Owner: Nabong Entertainment Britelife License type: Instruction services Address: 9580 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 109, Las Vegas Owner: J Shephard LLC Chao Xia Wu License type: Real estate sales Address: 10750 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 180, Las Vegas Owner: Chao Xia Wu China Gourmet License type: Restaurant Address: 9002 W. Sahara Ave., Suite A, Las Vegas Owner: Gourmet Fort Apache CHKD LLC License type: Personal services Address: 8 Via Del Garda, Henderson Owner: CHKD LLC Closet and Coffee License type: Personal services Address: 380 Ambitious St., Henderson Owner: Lina Woo Concrete Trend License type: Property maintenance Address: 2831 St. Rose Parkway, Suite 200, Henderson Owner: MKG Holdings Cordero Pines 2 License type: Apartment house Address: 499 N. Lamb Blvd., Buildings 9-11, Las Vegas Owner: 501 North Lamb 2 Cost Plus World Market License type: Annual alcoholic beverage tasting Address: 2151 N. Rainbow Blvd.,

VEGAS INC nov. 19- NOV. 25

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Records and Transactions Las Vegas Owner: Cost Plus Covenant Hospice Care License type: Interjurisdictional business Address: 2950 E. Flamingo Road, Suite K, Las Vegas Owner: Jazmine Enterprises CPL Labs License type: Clinic or laboratory Address: 2451 Professional Court, Suite 180, Las Vegas Owner: Clinical Pathology Laboratories Custom Glass Etching License type: Mail order/internet sales Address: 6524 Black Oaks St., North Las Vegas Owner: Rose Vrtar David A. Stella, D.C. License type: Professional services — medical Address: 4425 Stewart Ave., Suite 111, Las Vegas Owner: David Stella Desert Lights Insurance Group License type: Insurance agency or adjusting firm Address: 2850 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suites 200-234, Henderson Owner: Desert Lights Insurance Group Desert Sun Music Publishing License type: Miscellaneous sales/ service Address: 2226 Heroic Hills Lane, North Las Vegas Owner: Desert Sun Music Publishing Detalle’s Beauty Salon License types: Cosmetology; general retail sales Address: 865 N. Lamb Blvd., Suite 15, Las Vegas Owner: Did not disclose Divine Design Divas Hair Salon License types: Barbershop and Cosmetology; personal services Address: 11 S. Stephanie St., Suite 110, Henderson Owner: Divine Design Divas Hair Salon

License type: General retail sales Address: 875 S. Grand Central Parkway, Kiosk 29, Las Vegas Owner: Alma-Or LLC Eye District By Jo License type: General retail sales Address: 923 S. Rainbow Blvd., Las Vegas Owner: Eye District

BUILDING PERMITS $14,415,047, multifamily — new 1731 Yale St., North Las Vegas Hand Construction Co. $4,058,957, commercial — new 4265 Corporate Center Drive, North Las Vegas TWC Construction $743,183, commercial — addition 2300 N. Commerce St., North Las Vegas DC Building Group $720,000, tenant improvement 7365 Commercial Way, Henderson Did not disclose $600,000, tenant improvement 7365 Commercial Way, Henderson Did not disclose $596,400, tenant improvement 7365 Commercial Way, Henderson Did not disclose $516,239, single-family dwelling 2614 Matrino Circle, Henderson Baerwaldt Family Trust $504,000, tenant improvement 7355 Commercial Way, Henderson Did not disclose $501,000, tenant improvement 7355 Commercial Way, Henderson Did not disclose $498,500, tenant improvement 7355 Commercial Way, Henderson Did not disclose $360,000, tenant improvement 7375 Commercial Way, Suite 100, Henderson Did not disclose

Dolce Skin and Laser License types: General services (counter/office); cosmetology; professional services — medical Address: 6018 Smoke Ranch Road, Las Vegas Owner: Dawn Thompson

$340,609, commercial — alteration 1331 W. Craig Road, North Las Vegas KC Maintenance

Domain Apartment Homes License type: Apartment house Address: 831 Coronado Center Drive, Henderson Owner: Hines Global Reit II 891 Coronado

$317,673, single-family dwelling 416 Luke Point Court, Henderson Did not disclose

ELC Stop

$320,667, single-family dwelling 669 Falcon Cliff Court, Henderson Pinnacle Architectural Studio

$305,000, tenant improvement 2580 St. Rose Parkway, Suite 300, Henderson Did not disclose

$282,628, single-family dwelling 1305 Villa Barolo Ave., Henderson La Vita Partners $252,000, tenant improvement 7355 Commercial Way, Henderson Did not disclose

KB Home $166,900, tenant improvement 7375 Commercial Way, Suite 165, Henderson Did not disclose

$246,500, tenant improvement 7355 Commercial Way, Henderson Did not disclose

$165,000, commercial — new 13415 Apex Harbor Lane, North Las Vegas Intellecom Communications

$232,169, single-family dwelling 42 Costa Tropical Drive, Henderson Did not disclose

$161,747, single-family dwelling 978 Verdite Ave., Henderson Did not disclose

$229,563, single-family dwelling 1550 Orchard Falls Court, Henderson Greystone Nevada

$159,141, single-family dwelling 669 Look Lively Court, Henderson Did not disclose

$218,600, fireproof 4265 Corporate Center Drive, North Las Vegas Vegas Valley Fire Protection $200,720, commercial — addition 4335 Arcata Way, North Las Vegas Bill Kaiser Erection Specialists $197,100, commercial — alteration 1374 W. Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas Preferred Construction $196,015, single-family dwelling 990 Floral Creek Court, Henderson Did not disclose $195,239, single-family dwelling 497 Punto Vallata Drive, Henderson Century Communities

$157,755, single-family dwelling 1343 Reef Point Ave., Henderson Ryland Homes $155,980, residential — addition 467 Serenity Point Drive, Henderson JCS Family 1 Trust $153,374, single-family dwelling 40 Costa Tropical Drive, Henderson Did not disclose $150,380, single-family dwelling 1116 E. Sunset Road, Henderson Did not disclose $149,493, single-family dwelling 856 Via Del Castello, Henderson Greystone Nevada $144,946, residential — addition 471 Serenity Point Drive, Henderson JCS Family 1 Trust

$119,272, single-family dwelling 673 Look Lively Court, Henderson Did not disclose $118,305, residential — new 548 Desert Senna Ave., North Las Vegas KB Home Nevada $117,775, single-family dwelling 3 Via Dolcetto, Henderson Ryland Homes $113,617, single-family dwelling 489 Intonation St., Henderson Did not disclose $113,356, residential — new 617 Desert Senna Ave., North Las Vegas KB Home Nevada $110,622, single-family dwelling 399 Mano Destra Lane, Henderson Did not disclose $110,234, residential — addition 730 Orange Plume Walk, Henderson Greystone Nevada $110,152, residential — new 604 Desert Senna Ave., North Las Vegas KB Home Nevada $109,957, residential — addition 734 Orange Plume Walk, Henderson Greystone Nevada $109,236, single-family dwelling 1836 Kinglake St., Henderson D.R. Horton

$192,300, single-family dwelling x2 992 and 994 Floral Creek Court, Henderson Did not disclose

$139,512, single-family dwelling 796 Rosewater Drive, Henderson Greystone Nevada

$109,236, single-family dwelling 1836 Whitehorse Falls Court, Henderson D.R. Horton

$188,474, single-family dwelling 10 Vista Outlook St., Henderson Lyons Homes

$136,185, single-family dwelling 277 Cadence View Way, Henderson Ryland Homes

$108,293, single-family dwelling 533 Sterling Falls Ave., Henderson Lennar

$185,646, single-family dwelling 1066 Langston Ranch Ave., Henderson Greystone Nevada

$136,129, single-family dwelling 317 Via Franciosa Drive, Henderson Century Communities

$106,852, single-family dwelling 387 Mano Destra Lane, Henderson Richmond American Homes of Nevada

$180,000, tenant improvement x12 7375 Commercial Way, Suites 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155 and 160 Henderson Did not disclose $177,162, single-family dwelling 960 Soaring Moon Drive, Henderson Did not disclose $170,342, single-family dwelling 294 Via Del Salvatore, Henderson Greystone Nevada $169,732, single-family dwelling 857 Via Del Castello, Henderson Greystone Nevada $169,621, single-family dwelling 2940 Capobella Ave., Henderson

$135,852, single-family dwelling 1548 Orchard Falls Court, Henderson Greystone Nevada

$100,419, single-family dwelling 269 Resolute Ave., Henderson Ryland Homes

$129,728, residential — new 544 Desert Senna Ave., North Las Vegas KB Home Nevada

$98,841, residential — new 633 Desert Senna Ave., North Las Vegas KB Home Nevada

$126,925, single-family dwelling 1069 Langston Ranch Ave., Henderson Greystone Nevada

$98,146, single-family dwelling 1840 Kinglake St., Henderson D.R. Horton

$126,204, single-family dwelling 273 Resolute Ave., Henderson Ryland Homes

$98,146, single-family dwelling 1840 Whitehorse Falls Court, Henderson D.R. Horton

$124,097, single-family dwelling 492 Cadence View Way, Henderson Did not disclose

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VEGAS INC

your Business-to-business news

nov. 19- Nov. 25

Send your business-related information to news@vegasinc.com

The List

Category: technology companies (List ranked by number of local employees as of oct. 1) Year established locally

Local employees

Products/services

Top local executive

Cox Communications 1700 Vegas Drive Las Vegas, NV 89106 702-384-8084 • cox.com

1998

1,550

Residential and business cable telecommunications

Michael Bolognini, vice president/market leader

Scientific Games 6601 S. Bermuda Road Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-897-7150 • scientificgames.com

1980

1,225

Gaming, lottery, social and digital, and sports betting

Kevin Sheehan, president/ CEO

CenturyLink 6700 Via Austi Parkway Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-244-7455 • centurylink.com

1953

650

Business/residential high-speed internet, TV, cloud, hosting, security and phone lines

Mike Jewell, director of network operations

Aristocrat 7230 Amigo St. Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-270-1000 • aristocrat-us.com

1963

600

Slot machines, casino management systems, virtual casinos and mobile game apps

Matt Wilson, managing director of the Americas

International Game Technology 6355 S. Buffalo Drive Las Vegas, NV 89113 702-669-7777 • igt.com

1981

550

Casino games, systems and solutions

Renato Ascoli, CEO

Konami Gaming 585 Konami Circle Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-616-1400 • konamigaming.com

1997

450

Casino slot machines, management systems and technology

Steve Sutherland, chief operating officer/executive vice president

Everi Holdings 7250 S. Tenaya Way, Suite 100 Las Vegas, NV 89113 702-855-3000 • everi.com

1998

310

Integrated gaming payment solutions, video and mechanical reel slot games, and technology solutions

Michael Rumbolz, president/CEO

Verizon Wireless 5555 Redwood St. Las Vegas, NV 89118 800-256-4646 • verizonwireless.com

2000

230

Wireless communications services

Krista Bourne, president of South Central market

Link Technologies 9500 Hillwood Drive, Suite 112 Las Vegas, NV 89134 702-233-8703 • linktechconsulting.com

2000

135

IT, cybersecurity, audit and compliance, project management, systems integration, professional services and staff augmentation

Debbie Banko, CEO

Aruze Gaming America 955 Grier Drive, Suite A Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-361-3166 • aruzegaming.com

2005

117

Slot manufacturing and service

Eric Persson, president/ global chief operating officer

Company

Source: VEGAS INC research. It is not the intent of this list to endorse the participants or to imply that the listing of a company indicates its quality. Visit vegasinc.com for more. Although every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy and thoroughness of VEGAS INC charts, omissions sometimes occur and some businesses do not respond. Please send corrections or additions to Jamie Gentner, research associate, jamie.gentner@lasvegassun.com. Send mail care of VEGAS INC, 2275 Corporate Circle, Third floor, Henderson, NV 89074.

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FROM THE PRESENTING SPONSOR Dear VEGAS INC readers,

n partnership with Vegas INC, Cox Business is honored to serve as the title sponsor of the seventh annual Top Tech Exec Awards. This prestigious event recognizes the top information technology executives in Southern Nevada, nominated by their industry peers, and brings focus to the vital work that every technology executive contributes to drive the industry and economic growth in Southern Nevada. We are truly excited to host this event in Las Vegas again for the seventh year! This could not have been accomplished without the support of Vegas INC and our incredible community. Vegas INC is the No. 1 business weekly in Southern Nevada, reaching 50,000 readers, and is an organization committed to journalism that informs, inspires and moves people to action. With the substantial increase in attendance at this event year over year, the Las Vegas community has truly recognized these awards and the work that our tech executives contribute day after day, year after year. Cox Business and Hospitality Network warmly extends its sincerest congratulations to each of the 2017 nominees and award recipients. We are honored to recognize these individuals for their outstanding leadership, vision, innovation and commitment to the technology industry. Each

year, we are excited to learn of the new accomplishments made by the nominees made visible through this event. These accomplishments enable the businesses in our community to overcome obstacles and continue to move forward. As a leading telecommunications services company with a strong focus on community development and diversity, Cox Communications is a valued and trusted community business partner in Southern Nevada. With our proven experience as a leading nationwide telecommunications solutions provider with a commitment to service excellence, Cox Business and Hospitality Network is a critical technology partner to a diverse portfolio of local and nationwide business verticals and segments. Cox Business and Hospitality Network works closely with clients to customize voice, video, Internet, data transport and security solutions to support their requirements and business objectives. Together, Cox Business and Vegas INC are pleased to host one of the most important events in Las Vegas and the Southern Nevada community! We thank you for attending the event and celebrating our Top Tech Execs. Once again, congratulations to the recipients of the 2017 Top Tech Exec Awards!

Derrick R. Hill, Vice President Cox Business & Hospitality Network Las Vegas

FROM THE EDITOR

he seventh annual Las Vegas Top Tech Exec Awards are a collaboration between Cox Business and VEGAS INC to recognize Southern Nevadans who are helping shape the future before our very eyes. These are people who are often on call 24-7, asked to solve problems that may never have happened in a rapidly evolving industry. We fielded nominations for the most outstanding information technology executives in Southern Nevada and asked our panel of judges to use the following criteria in reviewing them: • Accomplishments: Examine why the candidate was nominated, and if the applications supports the nomination. Consider the candidate’s specific individual role in the achievements for which they been cited. Consider the nominee’s commitment to the industry.

• Technology Partnerships: Assessment of the nominee’s ability to develop strategic relationships with vendors, solution providers and technology partners. Also consider projects that showcase the nominee’s creativity and ingenuity in problem solving. • Innovation and Vision of the Future: Consider the nominee’s insight and ideas for the future and how it affects the technology industry as a whole. It wasn’t easy to come up with the winners because there were so many strong candidates. As someone who relies on the work of IT professionals to do my job, I stand in awe at the broad scope of knowledge possessed by this group. Craig Peterson, Special Publications Editor craig.peterson@gmgvegas.com

L I F E T I M E A C H I E V E M E N T AWA R D

O Debbie Banko

CEO

Link Technologies

hio native Debbie Banko launched Link Technologies in 2000 with an old computer, a landline and a handful of clients, and has grown the company into a leading provider of professional services in information technology, engineering, business support, project management and cyber security/information assurance. Working with clients at the local, state and federal level, Link Technologies now has more than 125 employees and an office in Denver, with a presence in Reno, Phoenix, Philadelphia, New York City, Southern California, Utah and South Carolina. With a knack for identifying opportunities, Banko recently established Link’s robust cybersecurity and audit and compliance arm just in time to ride the wave of elevated interest in this fastgrowing market. Indeed, the company is one of the few vendors that can boast a

PCI QSA (Payment Card Industry Qualified Security Assessor) certification. “In a world of sophisticated cyberthreats and well-publicized attacks, having a strong security posture and CPI-compliant credit-card practices is only going to become more important,” said Banko, who holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in business from Ohio University. “Our goal is to be the go-to provider for this in Las Vegas and Denver, and we’re already off to a great start.” Included on Inc. 5000 list of fastestgrowing private companies in the nation for the past five years, Link Technologies’ client base includes the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration. But at a grassroots level, Banko is a committed champion of initiatives to improve STEM education and

make the IT workforce more inclusive of women and minorities, and is an active supporter of SIM (Society for Information Management) Las Vegas. “The IT needs of America’s businesses have become increasingly diverse and specialized over the last 15 years,” said Banko, who previously worked in various management capacities at BEST Consulting. “And while career IT generalists are still very much in demand, companies also need the support of esoteric experts, sometimes for a single project, sometimes for several years. Link has many of these experts in-house and can deploy them on a consulting or professional-services basis. We also have a proprietary database of over 100,000 technology professionals and an in-house recruiting team that can find the right resource on short notice.” — Danielle Birkin

C O M M U N I T Y E X E M P L A R Y AWA R D

Eric Mendelsohn

Co-founder/Director

Code Central

ith more than 20 years of experience in teaching and education-management, Bay Area native Eric Mendelsohn is helping to grow Southern Nevada’s technology industry by training the computer programmers of tomorrow. Mendelsohn — who holds a master’s in English literature and a bachelor’s in English, both from San Jose State University — is co-founder and director of Code Central, founded in March 2016 as an after-school tech center, where kids ages 7 to 17 learn the fundamentals of coding, app development and computer science. The first of its kind in Nevada, Code Central focuses on enrichment and real-world skills, with personalized, self-paced learning and group projects that reveal the potential of coding. “We want to expose as many kids as we can to the possibilities of coding,” said Mendelsohn, who moved to Southern Nevada in 2013 and manages

day-to-day operations for the company, which offers memberships on a month-to-month basis, with children signing up for either one or two classes per week. “We don’t just teach coding; through coding, they learn to solve problems, overcome obstacles and develop critical-thinking skills and creativity. We want the learning be valuable, engaging and meaningful.” According to code.org, only 40 percent of Nevada schools teach computer programming, yet 90 percent of parents want their children to learn computer science. Meanwhile, the STEM-related economy continues to grow, with new career opportunities emerging in the field. Code Central is helping to bridge the gap by providing a fun and collaborative space to teach kids some of the tools they will require for success. The company is also striving to introduce more young ladies to coding, having held its first workshop for Southern

Nevada Girl Scouts in September 2017, with two additional workshops in October. “Every week we are reaching out to more students, and we hope to open another center, or possibly two, in the Vegas area in 2018,” said Mendelsohn, who previously worked in various capacities at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in San Francisco; as director of training and curriculum development for Advanced Global Connections in the Bay Area; and as director of business development for LasVegasTickets.com. “Technology is critical because it is essential now, and will be increasingly so in the future. With the rapid and constant developments in technology, I don’t think staying ahead of the curse is realistic. But we are striving to keep up by continuously implementing new learning technologies into our curriculum.” — Danielle Birkin

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TOP 20 finalists will receive

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h e a lt h c ar e AWA R D

P Wonda Riner

Director of Information Technology

UNLV School of Medicine

ennsylvania native Wonda Riner is a natural-born problem-solver who likes to find ways to make things work, a passion which unexpectedly shaped her career path. “My interests have never truly been technology-focused, but during my college internship I discovered that I had a talent for software administration, and it was through developing that talent along with project management that I have grown into the professional I am today,” said Riner, who holds an master’s in business administration from Saint Francis University and a bachelor’s of science in health policy and administration from Pennsylvania State University. Riner worked at Saint Francis University’s Center for Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas prior to relocating to Southern Nevada in 2003 to accept a position with UNLV’s Office of Information Technology, transitioning to the Office of Faculty Affairs in 2013. In April 2016, she was hired by

the university’s new School of Medicine as director of academic and learning technologies, quickly slipping into the role of director of information technology in order to better utilize her skill set. The School of Medicine was officially established in August 2014 in response to the need for more quality health care in the state when the Nevada System of Higher Education board of regents approved funding for the medical school’s start-up costs. NSHE, UNR, UNLV and the University of Nevada School of Medicine signed a memorandum of understanding to develop an independent, full-scale, allopathic medical school at UNLV in November 2013. When Riner came on board with the medical school, she was tasked with transitioning all of UNR’s data circuits to UNLV, among other transitioning projects. “With the support of the school’s leadership and the university’s Office of Information Technology, I coordinated

over 5,000 man-hours in a three-week period to ensure that the transitioning UNR clinics would be able to continue seeing patients as scheduled,” she said. “We had two clinics that were open on July 1, 2017, just 12 hours after we were given access to the locations, and the rest opened on July 3.” Riner said it’s imperative to stay aligned with or ahead of the curve techwise in order to meet the needs and expectations of students, clients, patients, faculty and staff. “We need to stay current and innovative to remain competitive,” she said, adding that the medical school boasts technology that will greatly benefit students. “The virtual anatomy tables and accompanying software not only provide the ‘Wow’ factor when touring our academic facilities, but it is also amazing to realize how this technology will better prepare our students for practicing medicine.” — Danielle Birkin

p u b l i c b u s i n e s s AWA R D

T Sy Esfahani

Chief Information Officer & Senior Vice President

MGM Resorts International

he son of an electrical engineer, Sy Esfahani originally planned on following in his father’s footsteps as a student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Then reality intervened and his career path took a different direction. “After attending the first class in electrical engineering fundamentals, I knew I needed to pursue something more exciting,” said Esfahani, who was introduced to the university’s newly formed College of Computer Science by a friend. “And the rest is history.” Esfahani obtained a bachelor’s of science in computer science from UNO, and went on to earn a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University prior to working in Omaha as vice president of IT for DMSi and then as vice president of back office products for ACI. From 2000 to 2009 he was chief information officer and executive

vice president for GES Exposition Services in Las Vegas, then served a threeyear stint as chief information officer for Fiserv EFT in New Jersey. Now permanently at home in Las Vegas, Esfahani joined MGM Resorts International as senior vice president and chief information officer in July 2013, where he manages overall global technology strategy and execution, which includes more than 300 systems. “Digital transformation and how we interact and serve our guests at every level are key to the overall MGM Resorts business strategy,” Esfahani said. “We have launched numerous technologies such as our website redesign, mobile check-in, Wi-Fi redesign and in-room technologies, and we have many other technologies that we will launch within the next few months. Technology has created a competitive edge for MGM Resorts and we will continue to lead

our industry through digital transformation.” He said 2018 will be a year when the industry will embrace technology as a way to digitize manual operational processes, interact in a more meaningful way with customers and use analytics to drive business decisions, all of which are made possible because of maturity in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and internet of things (IoT). Esfahani referenced the findings of IT research and advisory company Gartner Inc. in noting that every company is becoming a technology company, and it’s either sink or swim. “Those that adopt digital transformation and the tsunami of technology changes that are reshaping all industries will survive and thrive, while others will vanish,” he said. — Danielle Birkin

UNLV ANNUAL FUND Flexible. Personal. Vital.

“The life blood of a community is education and at the heart of our Las Vegas community sits UNLV. We are not just lucky to have this great university, it is a necessity to Las Vegas’s bright future. By Dzign has shown its commitment to UNLV by sponsoring events, mentoring students and hiring alumni. I feel that Las Vegas has given me, my family, and By Dzign so much that I cannot think of a better way to support the Las Vegas Community.” Kevin Kraft, CEO/Founder BY DZIGN President’s Corporate Council Platinum

These President’s Corporate Council members support UNLV through Annual Fund gifts of $5000 or more. A Beautiful Perspective Allegiant Anthem Periodontics & Dental Implants Aqua BACK BAR USA Bank of America Nevada Barrick Gold of North America BNY Mellon Wealth Management Boyd Gaming BY DZign Caesars Entertainment Cashman Equipment Company Casino Connection International LLC CBRE, Inc. CenturyLink Command Global CORE Construction Cox Communications Credit One Bank Desert Cab Dignity Health Eureka Casino Resort

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Micatrotto Restaurant Group National Security Technologies, LLC Nevada Broadcasters Association Nevada State Bank NV Energy Olympia Companies & American West Homes Palm Mortuary and Cemetery Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters PepsiCo Inc. Plantone’s Italian Market Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Reagan National Advertising Republic Services of Southern Nevada Resort Media Partners S3H, Inc. SH Architecture Shriner’s Hospital for Children Signature Real Estate Group Silver State Schools Credit Union Smart City Networks Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits Southwest Airlines

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For more information, please contact the Annual Giving team at 702-895-2838 or visit us at unlv.edu/foundation

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12A

n o n p r o f i t AWA R D

Tim Stephens

Director of Information Technology

Three Square Food Bank

s a boy in suburban Michigan, Tim Stephens found an old book on operating systems and began learning how to maneuver through the basics, which sparked an interest in technology. He moved to Southern Nevada in 1998, and was accepted into the Community College High School program, which allowed students to take college courses alongside the standard curriculum. “I began taking MCSE, Novell, Cisco and CompTIA classes to fill out my schedule, which drove my interest in technology and led me to obtain two AAS degrees in computer science from College of Southern Nevada,” said Stephens, who began his career as a support specialist at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and worked in IT capacities at Aliante Hotel and TopGolf before a message in his in-box changed the course

of his career. “One day, a particular opening caught my eye — Three Square Food Bank.” Stephens joined Three Square — Southern Nevada’s only food bank — as director of information technology in December 2016, and set about revamping the organization’s IT, audio/video and security components, resulting in a drop in operating costs, including a 40 percent reduction in the cost of mobile devices. He was also instrumental in improving scalability and reliability, while eliminating costly capital expenditures, by moving the phone network to a managed VoIP solution provided by Cox Business. He also extended the usability of old desktops by upgrading to solid state drives and Windows 10, minimizing the number of new PC purchases and increasing performance of exist-

ing hardware. He also overhauled the audio/video system in the training room and event spaces; incorporated a webbased help-desk solution to manage incidents, assets and approvals; and placed an emphasis on the utilization of internships and community partners to help reduce labor and technology costs. As for the future, “I would like to move more of the infrastructure to the cloud in order to further reduce future capital expenditures,” Stephens said. “This also provides a reliable and scalable platform for systems as Three Square continues to grow. As a nonprofit, the ability to buy servers or other hardware is not always an option. It is key to know what different programs you can leverage to help your business grow, while keeping costs at a minimum.” — Danielle Birkin

p r i vat e b u s i n e s s AWA R D

B Piotr Tomasik

Chief Technology Officer & Co-founder

Influential

ay Area native Piotr Tomasik has been tinkering in technology since childhood, when he learned to take a hands-on approach to satisfy his inherent inquisitiveness about how stuff works. “When I was 10 years old, my mother came home to find my new computer disassembled on the floor,” said Tomasik, who moved to Southern Nevada in 2004 to attend UNLV, where he earned a bachelor’s of science in computer science, with a minor in mathematics. “Concerned, she asked me what had happened. I calmly explained that I was just upgrading the memory. I love to dive into new things and learn how they work.” This lifelong passion has led to a successful professional path for Tomasik, who has worked in various tech capacities for local companies such as eCommLink, Sport Habitats and ActiveSide, which he co-founded in January 2013. Taking his entrepreneurial spirit to the next level in July 2014, Tomasik also co-

founded and serves as CTO of Influential, which at its genesis had a staff of four, and now has outlets in New York City and Beverly Hills, with a total of 64 employees, including 33 in Southern Nevada. Through augmented intelligence — AI — and machine learning, Influential matches brands with appropriate influencers to produce campaigns on social media. Tomasik created the program, and leads development of the company’s SaaS (Software as a Service) platform and its proprietary algorithms, the secret sauce behind its AI-based influencer selections. In October 2015, Tomasik and his team established a partnership with IMB’s Watson, and in February 2016, Influential launched its first Watson product, a national Kia campaign whose ad aired during the Super Bowl. In September 2016, Condé Nast publications announced it would partner with Influential’s IBM Watson-enabled platform

to enhance personal relationships and understanding of key audiences, and Influential also partnered with the United Nations to launch its #HugForPeace campaign, coinciding with the organization’s International Day of Peace. This year, Tomasik and his team expounded upon a new market-analysis concept, micro-segmenting, which allows for the ability to analyze an influencer’s followers, as opposed to just the influencer. Micro-segmenting allows Influential to offer measurable, optimized paid media marketing to a specific influencer’s following. Looking ahead in 2108, “We will be launching more SaaS offerings in the hopes of becoming the premier influencer marketplace,” Tomasik said. “Technology is the great disrupter, so being aware of the cutting edge and dipping your toe in is absolutely essential if you hope to stay relevant and efficient compared to your competition.” — Danielle Birkin

13A

h o t e l / g a m i n g AWA R D

N Les Ottolenghi

Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer

Caesars Entertainment

orth Carolina native Les Ottolenghi developed an interest in the tech arena during his junior year of college, when he met H. Ross Perot, who described how the future would be based on computer systems and technology. “His inspiration led me to this career, where I could pursue important and creative things that the world is now founded upon,” said Ottolenghi, who holds a master’s of business administration in internet and information technology strategy from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School and a bachelor of arts and sciences in history from Duke University, where he also studied computer science. “Also, Melinda Gates was my college roommate at the time, so it seems like it would have to be destiny,” he said. Ottolenghi launched his career as an

entrepreneur and founder of a couple of successful start-ups in the Atlanta area prior to joining Sands Corp. in 2013, where he served as global chief information and innovation officer. He joined Caesars Entertainment Corp. in January 2016 as executive vice president and chief information officer, with a mandate to drive innovation and change in a company and industry ripe for revolution, particularly with regard to connecting different customer segments. Indeed, Caesars Entertainment is in the midst of a massive investment and renewal in the core of its business operations. Working with best-in-class strategic partners such as Oracle in finance and human resources; Infor in hospitality; Salesforce in marketing; and Microsoft in collaboration and productivity will allow the company to focus on what’s mean-

ingful for guests and employees. These transitional projects have a value of more than $200 million of technology attached, which aligns with Ottolenghi’s belief that IT can be an enabler and driver of core revenue growth. He has also been instrumental in propelling a number of other projects that provide smaller but significant revenue benefits and savings. “The casino that we know today is drastically evolving through cloudbased technologies,” he said. “Caesars Entertainment is changing its business model to adapt to not just the new digital technologies, but the behavior of our customers who interact with the technology throughout our properties. Our goal is to be the most advanced company in our industry in technology for all facets of the customer experience.” — Danielle Birkin

e d u c at i o n AWA R D

Snehal Bhakta

CTE Project Facilitator/ Innovator

Clark County School District

s a kid in rural Kansas, Snehal Bhakta was addicted to his Atari — so addicted, his parents tried to limit his game-time by confiscating the joystick. Nice try, Mom and Dad. “Back then, the tech to control the games system was pretty simple, so I was able to take apart an old AM/FM radio and use the wires and the tuning and volume-control knobs to create a make-shift controller,” said Bhakta, who was born in Blantyre, Malawi, Africa, and graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s of science in computer engineering and secondary education. “I probably should have muted the sound on the game, but I learned that no matter the challenge, if you’re motivated and work hard you can probably come up with a solution, even if you get grounded for a few weeks.” Having worked as an IT consultant and with various companies such as Johnson Controls, TechSkills, Sprint and Accenture, Bhakta brought his

mad Pac-Man prowess and his passion for technology to Southern Nevada in 2008, joining the Clark County School District in August 2010 as management information systems program lead, and assuming his current post as CTE (career and technical education) innovator in August 2015. In this capacity, Bhakta is committed to ensuring that local students are prepared for success in the 21st century by providing them with opportunities to explore the many tech-related career options available after graduation. “Having graduated with both an engineering degree and education degree, I always felt that eventually I would end up in education,” Bhakta said. “I’ve worked on projects related to increasing student and community participation with programs like National Job Shadow Day, and continue to look for ways to bring innovative educational and technical practices to students, teachers and administrators.” In an effort to attract more young

women to the industry, Bhakta and his CTE team spearheaded the local #GirlsinTech and #GirlsinSTEM initiatives in 2015, and have since hosted IT events for some 2,000 Clark County middle-schoolers. Bhakta also brought the National Center for Women & Information Technology to the valley last year, with 12 high school students being honored with the organization’s Aspirations of Computing Award. This year, Bhakta was instrumental in introducing the national TECHNOLOchicas initiative to Southern Nevada to raise awareness among young Latinas about careers in tech. “Women and minorities are underrepresented in tech and STEM fields, so it’s imperative to find ways to promote these opportunities,” Bhakta said. “This is an exciting time for us because of the increased awareness and importance of CTE programs.” — Danielle Birkin

14A

g o v e r n m e n t AWA RD

Michael Lee Sherwood

Director of Information Technologies

City of Las Vegas

forward-looking thinker committed to keeping Las Vegas on the technological forefront, Michael Lee Sherwood brings some 20 years of management experience in municipalgovernment operations to the table in his role as director of technology and innovation for the City of Las Vegas, a post he assumed in February 2016. In this capacity, Sherwood is committed to making Las Vegas a smart city capable of growing with the times. To this end, Sherwood has been instrumental in creating an IoT (internet of things) network downtown, implemented with various sensors to provide statistics on environment, traffic pat-

terns, and pedestrian safety and mobility. This network will also provide free wireless access to boost connectivity. Sherwood is also spearheading partnerships with auto manufacturers to enhance the future of car and street communications — in preparation for self-driving cars and also to help citizens and visitors alike remain safe on local sidewalks — and is also working to make City of Las Vegas content readily available on smart devices and media players to ensure easy access to cityrelated news and updates. Prior to coming on board with the City of Las Vegas, Sherwood worked for the City of Irvine (California) as deputy di-

rector of public safety, business services and city technology for more than two years, and also served as Irvine’s manager of business services for 14 months. He also has some 16 years of previous technology experience with the City of Oceanside (California) — including about a dozen years as chief information officer — and worked before that in the private sector. He holds an M.S. in executive management from the University of Southern California and a B.S. in management from Pepperdine University. — Danielle Birkin

the judges Daniel Chapnick

Jason Frame

As regional hiring manager for iD Tech — a summer technology program founded in 1999 for children and teens — Daniel Chapnick is helping to inspire the next generation of aspiring programmers, video game designers, app developers, robotics engineers, filmmakers, photographers and innovators.

Les Leonard Jason Frame is the IT manager for the Southern Nevada Health District. Frame, who built the software engineering team from the ground up, has been instrumental in increasing efficiency and lowering costs for the district.

Lester Lewis

Laura Fucci

Clifton Cole Clifton Cole is Penta Building Group’s VDC manager. He has been the catalyst for the company’s technological revolution.

Shavonnah Tièra Collins Shavonnah Tièra Collins is the managing director of RedFlint. Her background includes being part of the initial organizing team of Startup Weekend Las Vegas and teaching Starting Entrepreneurial Ventures at the UNLV Lee Business School.

Les Leonard is vice president of information technology of Resorts World Las Vegas. He has more than three decades of experience in information technology and has worked many years in gaming and hospitality.

Lester Lewis is an IT strategist in the state of Nevada. Currently, Lewis is the deputy chief information officer for Clark County. Lewis proudly served in the United States Army where he held the position of telecommunications systems operator.

Laura Fucci joined the city of Henderson in November 2012 as chief information officer. Fucci earned her bachelor of science degree in computer science at Oregon State University and obtained a certificate in public management from UNLV.

Mary Lynn Palenik Mary Lynn Palenik is Aristocrat’s vice president, global head of PMO. She is responsible for portfolio oversight at the corporate level, developing standards and processes for the project ecosystem via an accountable and controls-based framework.

Mangit Singh Manjit Singh is a member of the advisory board for college of engineering at UNLV and works on cybersecurity. In more than two decades of career in technology, Singh has worked at two Silicon Valley startups, Sun Microsystems, Juniper Networks, IGT and Aristocrat in various technology leadership roles.

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