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dream iob ••• but someone has to do it. It's a job oppor· nationally known and respected r your efforts, of course, you are to be tunity where a business is looking to once compensated about 10 percent of the amount person can truly again achieve a profitable bot­ other similar-sized corporations pay their CEOs. And although it's been suggested your make a difference; A tom line. In doing so, it is predecessor left the firm in less than optimal searching for a dynamic new CEO to take the a chance to re- condition, you are totally unprepared for the helm and steer the firm to success. H's a true true condition of the company's budget. verse a company's opportunity to make a positive difference in Add to all this the job's requirement for fortunes. The the lives of employees and countless clien­ travel with the potential for prolonged separa­ tele. Intrigued by the challenge, you throw vision includes tions from your family, and the need to ex­ your hat in the ring and apply for the job. You pertly apply your public relations skills, balancing the cor- are lured by the prestige and potential fame. which constantly places you under the glare porate budget, im· It is even alluded that if you perform the nec­ of the media's scrutiny and, well, your work is indeed cut out for you. proving employee essary miracles, you may one day get the nod In summary, as this firm's new CEO: to run as your party's candidate for president morale, and deliv­ • You can't touch 95 percent of the existing of the United States. budget ering a far better Once you are hooked and fully committed, • Your pay is less than 10 percent of the product to the you learn that although you are expected to normal salary range completely rejuvenate the company, you customer. And you must: must limit the fiscal effects of your plans to • Gain the approval of a contrary board of just 5 percent of the operating budget. Fur­ directors ... but there's a thermore, prior to setting your ideas in mo­ • Deliver better products and services • Cultivate employee morale catch. tion, any changes to the corporate status quo • Improve customer service will require a majority approval from the • Promote customer satisfaction board of directors - a fractious group, each of • Create a profitable bottom line. which harbors his or her own agenda that may or may not agree with what you believe Who would seek such a job? .. . to be the best interests of the firm. It gets better. . .. Thank you Governor Guinn . •

Comments? e-mail: [email protected]

4 . 'evada Business journal • June 1999 Sales Professionals jBUSINESS You DON"T HAVE TO BE ON 'WALL STREET 40UR~~1 To WORK ON WALL ADVISORY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MaryS. Falls- Vice -President, Northern Nevada Business Banking, US Bancorp Ambition. Tenacity. The desire to achieve more in your career. If you have Somer Hollingsworth -President, it takes to establish yourself professionally, we have the means to help Nevada Development Authority happen. And with the opening of new retail branch offices and Pxr•~"''inn Larry E. Krause - Partner and Director, Arthur Andersen LLP others throughout the country, we can offer you the opportunity to MaryDean Martin -President, MaryDean & Associates immediately. Because at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, we believe you Clare O'Brien -Director ofMarketing , have to wait for success. Nevada Commission on Economic Development Once y01fve qualified for and completed our paid Financial Advisor Stan Thomas- Director ofSpecia l Business Projects, Program, your income and advancement potential are limited only by Sierra Pacific Power Company ability. We'll prepare you for the Series 7 license exam. Provide you with Carole V'tlardo -President, evada Taxpayers Association ing training in support of your ambitions. And show you how to experience Scott Voeller- Director ofAdvertising & Public Relations, satisfaction of helping others invest in their dreams while you pursue your own. Silver Legacy Resort Casino Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. When you want to do more. Opportunities are available in our Las Vegas retail branch offices. For consideration, please forward or fax your resume to: CEO PRESIDENT SUMMERLIN LAS VEGAS (Central) GREEN VALLEY PUBLISHER Dan Anderson Gary Abraham Stephen Brock Branch Manager Branch Manager 242-8345 737-8117

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Lyle E. Brennan Morgan Stanley Dean Witter is an equal opportunity employer. EDITOR MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITT Jennifer Robison Morgan Stanley Dean Witter is a service mark of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER © 1999 Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. Carleen Ortega ART DIRECTOR I PRODUCTION MANAGER Barbara L. Moore VICE PRESIDENT - MARKETING Claire Smith CONIRLBUTING EDITORS Jennifer Baumer I Shelley Berkley I Brian Clark Manuel]. Cortez I Tom Dye I Bob Felten For An SBA Loan, Kathleen Foley I Cindie Geddes I Diane Gla.zman Allen Grant I Kenny Guinn I Dean Heller I Tony Illia Phil Keene I Kim Pryor I Theodore Schlazer R. Keith Schwer I Michael Sullivan I Tom Tail Might We Recommend CORPORATE OFFICE 212 7 Paradise Road • Las Vegas, NY 89104 (702) 735-7003 • FAX (702) 733-5953 www.nevadabusiness.com ASpecialist? SOU111ERN NEVADA MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE Claire Smith Our SBA loan representatives are specialists. NORTHERN NEVADA MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE They have both the skill and the experience to make the SBA loan process work for you. Stephen Brock • Up to 90% financing on Nevada Business Journal is li sted in Standard Rates & Data, commercial real estate #20A-Business-Metro. State & Regional. SierraWest Advertisers should contact Sales at (702) 735-7003 in Southern • Programs with loans from BANK. evada, or (800) 242-0164 in Nonbem Nevada, or write to: $50,000 to $5 million Nevada Business Journal, 2127 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89104. Demographic information available upon request. Mon th­ • Working capital, inventory SBA Lending Division to-month circulation may vary. NBJ is published monthly, bulk postage paid. Subscription rate is and equipment loans The Government Loan Experts $44.00 per year. Special order single-<:opy price is $7.50. All contents @1999 copyright, and reproduction of material appear­ • Business purchase loans ing in NBJ is prohibited unless so authorized by the publisher of J\'BJ. In Reno call: (775) 824-3914 CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please send previous address or mail­ • Construction loans ing label & new address. Allow six weeks. In Las Vegas call: (702) 733-2199 EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS: Address all submissions to the at­ www.sierrawest.com/sba tention of Jennifer Robison. Unsolicited manuscripts must be ac­ companied by a self-addressed stamped envelope .. iBJ assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. DISCLAIMER: Editorial views expressed in this magazine Gl are not necessarily those of the publisher or its boards. w.w C1999, SierraWest Bancorp Member FDIC

June 1999 • Nevada Business Journal 5

Contents June 1999 · volume 14 · No. 6

Features

29 Owning a Piece of the Pie CINDIE GEDDEs 63 Destination RenO PART 4 of 4 CINDIE GEDDES Women and minorities command a rapidly grow­ Reno's community leaders have at last forged a uni­ On the Cover: Reno's ing segment of business owners. Even so, many fied front and are ready to meet the challenges of di­ Riverwalk Downtown aren't aware of the resources available. versifying the city's tourism offerings. Redevelopment District 32 Measuring Nevada's Economy KIM PRYOR 73 A Dream in Peril BRIAN E. CLARK is transforming a stag­ nant urban core into a In today's global community, economies are inter­ Impact fees and rising land costs may endanger diversified community nationally intertWined, for better or worse, and Southern Nevada's entry-level housing market, and center and tourism Nevada is no exception. put the price of a first horne out of reach for many. draw along the Truckee Rive1: Photo: Reno 35 A Nevadan Renaissance TO NY ILLIA 84 TopRank Nevada STAlEWIDE BOOK OF usrs News Bureau. Cities repair and renew troubled dO\vntown areas. Auto Dealerships • Golf Courses • Trade Associ­ ations • Hospitals • Woman-Owned Businesses

Building Nevada SPONSORED BY

SPECIAL TO NBJ BNlO Downloading the decade goes up at Hughes Center • BajA ~ NSIGHT American Dream BR IAN E. CLARK BN3 Insight Holdings ~~ OLDINGS renovations carry $500,000 price tag • The business of buying and selling homes Develops Opportunity Custom home builder opens doors • Pal­ relies more than ever on embracing emerg­ adin Realty Group launched • Reno/Sparks ing teclmologies. sees uptick in unit sales • Meyer Motels BN4 Insight Realty Assoc­ opens first Nevada property • Upscale Reno iates Provides Hands­ BN13 Pooling Your Resources KIM PRYoR apartments open.ful()' occupied. On Approach to local Homeowners who work with their pool contractors often see the best results. Commercial Real Estate Report Developers Compiled by Lee & Associates, Las Vegas and BN16 Home Sweet log Home KIM PRYoR Grubb & Ellis/!liV Commercial Group, Reno . BN6 Insight Development Nevada builders and Realtors capitalize on Oversees All Areas popular pine and cedar palaces. of Commercial land BN 19 Corporate Profile KATHLEEN FOLEY Development Harris Consulting Engineers - Local base and e.\perience give firm competitive edge. BN8 Insight Architecture Designs a Diverse BN21 Building Nevada News in Brief Niche for Itself in las Vegas Dermody builds facility for Alcon • LND completes projects • Largest building in Departments

4 Commentary LYLE BRENNAN 19 Regional Spotlight 80 Inside Politics MICHAEL SULLIVAN It's a '·dream" job . . but someone has to do it. Lincoln County Regional Development Authority Does the shadow government 9 letters 21 Moving to Nevada make a difference at the polls? Call centers continue influx; restaurant growth 10 Business Up Front 81 Securing Nevada DEAN HELLER attracts service industries. • A new park for Sparks The Vinual Office Project • Help for the high-tech workplace 23 People on the Move 82 Money Management NEVADA CPAS • Avoiding a long-term headache 75 lifestyles KATH LEEN FOLEY Selecting the right retirement plan • Watching laws that affect business LtLxury Irnpon Automobiles - Form, function, for your business • How honest is your company? s~yle and status. 95 Nevada Briefs 11 Smart Investing THEODORE scHLAZER 76 Executive Profile DIAN E GLAZMAN 97 Business Indicators KE ITH SCHWER Making money in the bond market. Charles McNeely- Seeing tbe possibilities for Reno's future. 98 Point of View 12 Cutting Edge BOB FELTEN Nevada PDA wars. 77 Corporate Profile ALLEN GRANT What are the most Silver State Bank - Henderson-based community substantial obstacles 14 Travel & Tourism MAN UEL J. CORTEZ bank gives back to its neighbors. to redeveloping Growth, success go hand-in-hand. 79 Speaking for Nevada dO\VlltO\vn? How do 16 Small Business Advisor TOM DYE Congresswoman Shelley Berkley- Don 't gamble we overcome those Staffing your business. with Nevada's economy. obstacles?

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To the Editor: interests of our students. Mr. Brennan says students are being I am writing to clarify sev­ Mr. Brennan states taught not by professors, but by research eral points in Lyle Brennan's that UNLV fails to mea­ assistants. It is true that graduate stu­ commentary in the April issue sure up to national stan­ dents teach some classes at UNLV, as at of Nevada Business Journal. dards. This would seem other universities across the nation. This Mr. Brennan writes that to be a hard claim to sup­ is part of their education as graduate stu ­ UNLV is "stagnant" and port; UNLV is nationally dents. For many of them it is preparation shows "little annual growth." accredited, many of its for a career in higher education. Does These assertions are incorrect programs have received this mean th e faculty is not teaching? Of by any measure. Our head­ individual accreditation, course not. In fact, current fi gures indi­ count and FTE enrollment fi g­ and we expect our cate that of 322 class secti ons being Carol Harter ures are coming in higher Carnegie rating to put us taught, graduate assistants and teaching th an expectations - this spring in the category of national, rather than assistants (graduate students) are teach­ the headcount is up 4.3 percent and regional, universities when that organiza­ ing only 11 percent. The other 89 per­ FTE, the fi gure that drives funding, is tion's new ratings appear. In the mean­ cent are taught by tenured and non­ up 6.1 percent. We have new buildings time, UNLV has received frequent men­ tenured faculty members, including under construction, including a $50 mil- tion over the years in U. S. News and part-time and adjunct instructors. lion research library; we have been Wo rld Report's college guides, has been Thank you for the opportunity to adding undergraduate and graduate included in the book 1OJ of the Best Val ­ present these clarifications. programs, such as physical therapy and ues in America's Colleges and Universi­ environmental studies; and revamping ties, and will appear in the upcoming Sincerely, others, such as the masters in business book The Best 311 Colleges, published Carol C. Harter administration, all to meet the needs and by the Princeton Review. UNLV President •

::;·· • •

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June 1999 • Nevada Business journal 9 URBAN RENEWAL FEDERAL lEGISLATION A new park for Casting a more Sparks careful eye on laws affecting business he city of T Sparks is of­ fering a textbook lesson in convert­ ing disaster to op­ portunity. About seven years ago, the city, along with the state, filed a lawsuit against several oil ing the impact of certain laws companies, Santa Fe Pacific on business and industry. If a The project shows such proposed law passes, the feds will be compelled to do so. potential for success a The Mandates Information new redevelopment dis­ trict is being considered. In 1996, states and local­ I jOBS FOR TOMORROW ities reported on 200 sep­ Pipelines and Southern Pacif­ Help for a technologically complex workplace ic Transportation Co. to clean arate federal mandates up an oil spill compromising ake a second look at the mobile workforce will prompt involving 170 federal the economic and environ­ T administrative profession­ today's administrative profes­ laws, including labor, mental integrity of part of als in your office - according sionals to evolve into "infor­ health and safety laws. Sparks. The proceeds from the to staffing agency OfficeTeam, mation coordinators." Such co­ lawsuit, which the city won, they are likely to assume ever ordinators will provide critical Act of 1999 allows legislators are now beginning to pay divi­ greater responsibilities in the communication links among to call for floor debate when­ dends for the community. The workplace of tomorrow. Of­ far-flung core employees, pro­ ever the Congressional Bud­ city is using the settlement ficeTeam conducted research ject workers and telecom­ get Office estimates a bill's dollars to create the $10 mil­ concluding that by 2005, tech­ muters, in addition to team impact on the private sector lion Sparks Marina Park. The nology and an increasingly training on new technologies. will exceed $100 million. The park will feature a new lake law, which is designed to with beaches, a two-mile path, supplement the Unfunded INSURANCE volleyball courts, sailing, fish­ Mandates Reform Act of ing and a 1,000-seat am­ Avoiding a long-term headache 1995, has already passed in phitheater. The lake is already the U.S. House of Represen­ stocked with Superior trout f you've been shopping for sive, higher-priced policies. tatives; a companion bill was and is attracting 500 fisher­ I long-term care insurance, Also, some companies are introduced in the Senate. men a day. The rest of the im­ you may have encountered a more aggressive in their pric­ There's room for relief in provements will be complete wide variation in annual pre­ ing, and variations in benefit this area: in 1996, states and this fall. The project shows miums and benefits. Weiss and deductible periods con­ localities reported on 200 such potential for success the Ratings, Inc. surveyed 17,625 tribute as well. Even the fi­ separate federal mandates city is considering establish­ premium quotes from 25 nancial soundness of an insur­ involving 170 federal laws, ing a new redevelopment dis­ long-term care insurers and er can impact policy costs. including labor, health and trict for blighted areas around found consumers can pay as Company chair Martin Weiss, safety laws. According to An­ it. What's· more, upon comple­ much as four times more for Ph.D. urges consumers to gela Antonelli, a policy ana­ tion, $2 million will sit in re­ seemingly similar policies. avoid the impulse to gravitate lyst with The Heritage Foun­ serve to add future amenities According to Weiss, multiple toward the cheapest policy. dation, the passage of the to the park as needed. Sparks reasons contribute to the dis­ "If consumers shop around, Senate version of the bill mayor Bruce Breslow, who's parities. Some companies they can often save a lot of "will help bring the hidden retiring after this fall, calls it offer core policies with riders, money without sacrificing costs of new private-sector "my millennium project." while others offer more inclu- much in benefits," he stated. mandates into the sunshine."

10 Nevada Business journal . June 1999 CORPORATE f RAUD Making Money in the Bond Market How honest is your company? BY THEODORE 5CHLAZER any people adhere to the miscon­ rates rise. A bond is also one of the few in­ PMG's third U.S. Fraud Survey un­ ception that bonds are stodgy, old vestments to offer the peace of mind in K covered some disquieting statistics Minvestment s that can't make you knowing even if you are wrong and inter­ regarding corporate fraud in America. any money. The average investor will pur­ est rates move against you, at some point The survey reported 62 percent of re­ chase a bond, collect the interest and buy in time you will get all your money back. spondents are aware that fraud occurred another bond when it matures. This is a Evaluating the interest income portion within their organizations during the past fine strategy if your goal is to obtain a of a bond's return is the easy pllfl. The year. Also, the median loss due to fraud consistent flow of income with no risk to capital gain or loss calculation is a bit your principal (assuming you've pur­ more complicated. The amount of move­ chased a treasury security). ment in the bond's price is a direct func­ However, the bond market, like the tion of its maturity. The longer a bond stock market, can be very volatile, provid­ matures, the more the price will fluctuate ing ample opportunity to profit from inter­ for a given change in interest rates. est rate movement. For example, last year As an example, the price of a two-year the government long bond returned 18 treasury note will move approximately percent- not bad for a stodgy, old invest­ 1% points with a 1 percent change in in­ ment. Let's examine this further and see terest rates. The same 1 percent change in exactly how you can put the bond market's rates on a 30-year treasury bond will volatility to use to help you make money. cause the price to move approximately 15 The profit on a bond can be broken into points, or 15 percent of its face value. If Nearly 60 percent of U.S. Fraud two components. The first component, we assume a 1 percent drop in interest Survey respondents believe corporate which most investors already understand, rates occurred over a one-year period, the fraud will only become worse. is the bond's interest rate or coupon. The capital appreciation of 15 percent would second is the capital appreciation or loss be added to the interest income of 5.25 totals $116,000 annually. Nearly 60 per­ due to changes in interest rates. The com­ percent (the current interest rate on the cent of survey participants believe fraud bination of these two components gives us 30-year treasury bond). That would give will only become worse. The most com­ the bond's total rate of return. you a total return of 20.25 percent for the mon types of fraud include false financial As you may know, a bond's price moves year. At this point in time you would sell statements, check forgery, credit card in the opposite direction of interest rates. the bond and realize your profit. fraud and medical/insurance claims fraud. As interest rates rise, the value of the bond If interest rates rose 1 percent during Some suggestions for reducing fraud: es­ declines. Conversely, as interest rates fall, the year, you would have a 15 percent tablish codes of conduct, check references the bond's value rises. The main advantage capital loss. However, you would still col­ and introduce employment contracts. 'The of a bond, however, is that at maturity you lect at the 5.25 percent income, so the net key to preventing fraud is to understand receive full face value regardless of where loss for the year would only be 9.75 per­ how it can affect a company, and put con­ interest rates are. It is in this value fluctua­ cent. What we have here is an investment trols in place to recognize and stop it from tion between the time you purchase the that performs twice as well on the upside occurring," said Tony Adamski, managing bond and the time it matures where your and loses half as much on the downside. director of KPMG's Western Area Forensic profit opportunity lies. Naturally, the above examples are ex­ and Litigation Services practice. "Effec­ Another nice property of a bond is that tremes and bonds maturing anywhere be­ tive fraud prevention programs such as regardless of the direction of interest rates tween two and 30 years can be purchased whistle-blower hotlines and strict corpo­ the coupon always remains fixed, provid­ with a commensurate return. • rate codes of conduct can help ing a consistent flow of income. This inc organizations protect their employees, creases your return when interest rates Theodore Schlazer is president of Las Vegas­ their profitability and their future." drop, but decreases your loss when interest based Paragon Asset Management Company.

june 1999 • Nevada Business journal II QUICK QUOTES EVEREN Capital, First Union join in asset management

irst Union Corp. and EVERE Capi­ F tal Corp. announced an agreement to form an asset management joint venture My PDA's better than that will combine the Evergreen mutual fund complex with the Mentor Invest­ ment Group. According to the agree­ your PDA, or ... what's ment, First Union will contribute its ownership agreements in Evergreen that in your hand? and Mentor and receive a 95 percent ownership interest in the new venture. EVEREN will contribute its ownership BY BOB FELTEN interest in Mentor and receive a 5 per­ cent ownership interest in the new ven­ ture, which will have more than $70 bil­ t began with a simple state­ The pressure was mounting. lion in assets under management. ment. "My new phone num­ So, I went PDA shopping, inves­ I ber is . .. " Everyone around tigating the information avail­ Online access to employee the table grabbed for a PDA. able on the 'Net and wandering benefit info a growing trend And what a variety came out. bleary-eyed through several For those of you who don' t consumer electronic stores. errill Lynch's lOth annual survey recognize the PDA reference, it I discovered that last year, Mi­ M of employers and benefits man­ stands for Personal Digital Assis­ crosoft entered the PDA wars agers found that 15 percent of companies tant, and people on the cutting with Palm PC software based on use Intranet or Internet Web sites to edge have owned one for years. the Windows platform for gadgets from allow employees access to their employ­ Represented at this meeting of about their hardware producing partners. Now, er-sponsored savings and retirement ac­ eight business persons, were two or three they're touting PDAs with color screens. counts and other benefits programs. PDAs from 3Com's Palm Pilot series. Handheld computing advocates waxed That's almost double the number doing I've seen reports that two-thirds of these poetic about the value of these devices in so two years ago. It's a trend some hand-held gadgets sold in the United organizing and simplifying your life. Un­ Merrill Lynch execs would like to see States are from 3Com. That popularity fortunately, like so many computer-related increase even more due to its myriad was reflected here. devices, the information presented in pro­ benefits. Companies can utilize Web site There was also PDA envy. Personally, I moting PDAs is complex and daunting. access to enable employees to enroll in covered my feelings of inadequacy with a Prices range from under $200 to $500 plans, manage and monitor perf01mance bluff rather than take a pencil and scrib­ and more depending on the bells and of their investment accounts and retrieve ble in the back of my pocket calendar. whistles you want. But that can be just such market data as stock quotes, intra­ ''I'll get it next time," I said. the start. The list of available connectors, day market index movements and news. One woman was sheepishly typing on additional programs and other enhance­ the teeny keyboard of her "old fashioned" ments seems endless. And of course, you Diversified Investment PDA while others wrote with their tiny at­ can join an online PDA support group for earns S&P designation tached pens on the face of more recently the PDA of your choice. purchased Palm (insert appropriate Am I ready for this level of commit­ iversified Investment Advisors, Inc. Roman numeral here). "I should get one ment? Of course, but I'm approaching D announced that its Growth & Income of those," she said wistfully. this in a mature, non-competitive manner. Fund was chosen as a Standard & Poor's Her comment took me back to a meet­ I refuse to measure my value by the com­ Select Fund. The Select Fund status is as­ ing I'd had several months ago with an­ puting capacity of my PDA. I'll make a signed to funds showing a trend of consis­ other businesswoman who took my busi­ rational, well-thought-out decision after tently strong performance, as well as evi­ ness card and immediately wrote the weighing my true needs. dence that the fund's management can information from it on the small screen Or, maybe I'll wait for the next gener­ continue to elicit quality performance. of her Palm something or other. ation of PDAs, just so I can be among the Purchase, N.Y.-based Diversified Invest­ "I don't know how I got along with­ frrst to get one. • ment Advisors, a national investment advi­ out it," she said with a gleam in her eye. sory firm specializing in retirement plans, And added with great pride, "I got one Bob Felten is a principal with /nnerwest services more than $23 billion in assets of the first ones, you know. I really Advertising in Reno. E-mail him at and 500,000 plan participants. need to upgrade." bob@ innerwestadv.com.

12 Nevada Business Journal • June 1999 TECH TALK SBA reveals Y2K Who has loan program he Small Business Year 2000 Readi­ the energy Tness Act spurred the U.S. Small Business Administration to develop a federally guaranteed loan program to to keep up with help small businesses fix and replace software and hardware not compliant with Y2K. The loan program includes Sierra Pacific higher guarantees and longer terms, al­ lowing no principal payback for up to a year. Loan proceeds of up to $750,000 Resources? are available for technology repair and acquisition, as well as consulting fees and economic injury incurred as a result of Y2K computer problems. For more in­ Deloitte& formation on the loan program, call the • SBA at 702-388-6611 or 775-829-0222. the answer , s Touche

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June 1999 • Nevada Business Journal 13 LVCVA Board's vote to approve a 1.3-mil­ lion-square-foot, $150 million expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center will help ensure Las Vegas ' leadership position Growth, Success Go Hand in Hand in the conventi on, meeting and trade show industry for years to come. After the ex­ BY MANUEL J. CORTEZ pansion, the Las Vegas Convention Center will feature more than 3 million square hi s year marks a couple of convention destination, and feet of total space - the second largest Timportant milestones for the proved right the visionaries meeting faci lity in America. Las Vegas Convention and Visi­ who helped push through the The expansion is a key component in a tors Authority (LVCVA) and the construction of the Convention 15-year rna ter plan the LVCVA Board Las Vegas Convention Center, Center- over many protests adopted in 1993. It was conceived to en­ which the LVCVA operates. from people who thought the able some of Las Vegas' largest trade It's somehow fitting that in the facility was doomed to be a shows to expand their business, and in same year- and same month, no "white elephant." tum help to fill the thousands of new less - that marks the 40th anniversary of Another facet of this story that's nearly hotel rooms coming on line this year and the frrst show at the Convention Center, lost in history is the significant amount next. An interesting footnote to the pro­ the LVCVA Board of Directors voted to of internal turmoil the Las Vegas gather­ ject: without the expansion, Las Vegas approve the single biggest expansion in ing caused the Air Force Association. would be at the lowest meeting space to the storied history of the facility. Many AFA members strenuously protest­ room inventory ratio in its history. What's old is new again, after all. ed the site, wondering why such a presti­ Because the bonds for the expansion Forty years ago, in April 1959, the gious gathering was being held in a town wilJ be paid back through the LVCVA's newly opened, dome-shaped center host­ which, up until that point, was better room tax allocation - as of July I , 1999, ed the Air Force Association's World known for casinos than conventions. the LVCVA will receive less than half of Congress of Flight, an international aero­ And now we've come full circle. The all room tax dolJars collected; the rest nautics show that drew to Las Vegas dele­ goes for road, school and gates from around the world - and drew park construction - Clark worldwide media attention in the process. County residents will not In retrospect, the show seems small, pay one penny in tax money almost quaint by Las Vegas' modern for the expansion's con­ standards: about 6,000 delegates. But struction or operation. And, pound for pound, the World Congress by the way, that's the way of Flight is perhaps the most important it's been for every other show Las Vegas has ever hosted. Almost Convention Center expan­ overnight, it legitimized Las Vegas as a sion over the years. Expanding the meetings market is an important goal in the LVCVA's long-range strategic marketing plan on behalf of Las Vegas. Expanding the Las Vegas Convention Center will help us keep many large conventions and trade shows that might otherwise move to a competing destination. Much has changed in the past 40 years, but one thing has remained con- stant: at the Las Vegas Convention '--'"'·-­ ter, growth and success have always gone hand in hand. •

Above: Taken in 1959, this photo shows the old Convention Center rotunda, considered by many Manuel 1. Cortez is the president and CEO for a white elephant. Above right: The today's expanded and vastly-improved Las Vegas Convention the LVCVA. He also serves on the board of di­ Center makes a subtle nod to the rotunda of yesteryear in the design of its facade. rectors of the Travel Industry of America.

14 Nevada Business journal • june 1999 TRAVEL TRENDS

J.D. Power gives high role in hotel guest satisfaction," said Tim headquarters, hope Las Vegas' reputa­ Gohrnann, senior director, travel practice tion among tourists worldwide will marks to Laughlin, Vegas at J.D. Power and Associates. ''The prin­ draw record attendance to the event, cipal reasons why an individual selects a slated for October 3 through October 9. .D. Power and Associates' 1999 Do­ hotel are its location and the guest's level J mestic Hotel Guest Satisfaction study of satisfaction with the previous stay." Tahoe resort announces holds good news for Nevada resorts: two millennium plans of the top three cities for customer happi­ AMF Bowling World Cup ness are in Southern Nevada. Laughlin The Resort at Squaw Creek, situated on led the pack, while Las Vegas tied for pays visit to Las Vegas Tahoe's north shore, is planning three third place with San Francisco. Atlantic "Millennium Galas" to ring in the New City placed second. Hotel guests reported t's been 18 years since the AMF Year. Three separate functions - designed higher levels of overall satisfaction in I Bowling World Cup was held in the to accommodate adults, teens and chil­ Laughlin, Las Vegas and Atlantic City United States. However, the organiza­ dren - will feature music from the last due to higher perceived value for their tion announced it will return to the three decades and projection screens dis­ money. Guests in San Francisco attrib­ country with its 35th world cup in the playing significant historical events of uted their overall satisfaction to guest­ fall for a six-day stint at Sam's Town the last century. The festivities include a room amenities and such hotel services Bowling Center. Sam's Town's 56-lane gourmet dinner, four cocktail tickets, as concierge and security. "The study bowling center was renovated last fall, party favors and a bottle of Korbel Brut shows that the type of hotel, perceived and now offers such high-tech features Millennium champagne. Teens can enjoy value for the money and having a prob­ as computerized scoring. Officials of the dancing, dinner and non-alcoholic spe­ lem-free experience play an important hotel, which will serve as tournament cialty beverages. •

june 1999 . Nevada Business journal 1; Staffing Your Business

Whether going it alone or hiring an

have grown up. Corporate layoffs have Understanding your staff needs is just employment agency, also left good people out of work. So the beginning. The next step - finding don't despair. There are good employee good workers- is more difficult. Jane prospects in the state. Whisner, CPC, operations manager of the entrepreneurs can Eastridge Group, a staffing service that THE FIRST STEP: ASSESSING provides permanent and temporary em­ STAFFING.NEEDS ployees, recommends new businesses find good workers find employees the old-fashioned way - taffing needs must be determined by asking friends, family and business Swhen the business is first formed. The acquaintances if they know anybody who Small Business Development Center and might fill their positions. Advertising in BYTOM DYE other organizations that advise entrepre­ newspapers and other local publications neurs have computer programs that pro­ are also options, according to Whisner. inding good employees comprises ject bow many employees will be needed, Craft suggests employers join chambers one of the toughest tasks for small as well as the fmancial impact of salaries of commerce and trade associations to F businesses. "Probably the most and other employee costs. This can be make contacts that may lead to good em­ difficult part of our planning sessions is figured into cash-flow projections for ployee prospects. helping business owners find the right small operations, but a more complicated Networking can work, but employers people to do the job," said Sharolyn computer program is needed for business­ still must be very careful to make sure Craft, who heads the Nevada Small Busi­ es with larger staffs, Craft explained. recommended people can do the job and ness Development Center, which helps Restaurants, for instance, have very com­ have the right attitude, Whisner cau­ entrepreneurs with business planning. plicated staffing needs and employee tioned. "Many companies hire for atti­ Nevada in particular, with an unem­ costs are difficult to project. tude and train for skills," she explained. ployment rate below the national aver­ Employers can obtain wage and salary Once you find potentially qualified can­ age, is not an easy place in which to find information from the Nevada Department didates, the interview becomes the key in employees. Most who possess the right of Labor, she said. It's also a good idea hiring well. Employers who use the right skills and attitude have jobs, and new re­ to check with other employers in a simi­ techniques stand a better chance of mak­ sorts in their quest to fill thousands of lar business to see what they pay. Busi­ ing good hires, according to Whisner. positions are depleting the employee nesses should also seek legal help to de­ "Don't ask questions candidates can an­ pool, according to experts. However, velop a policy manual for employees, swer with a yes or no. Ask open-ended many people are trying to rejoin the Craft said. Employers must be sure their questions," she advised. As an example, workforce, such as retirees tired of sit­ employee policies meet legal standards don't ask a prospect, "Do you have a lot ting around, or mothers whose children to avoid lawsuits. of work experience?'" Instead ask, "Tell

16 Nevada Business journal. June 1999 me about your work experience." It is also important to put the applicant at ease ce and conduct a positive interview. Is your c urre nt agent Applicants may have the capability to '\VO rkina hard to do the job, but if they don't have the ded­ reduce yom· claims. ication and loyalty, they won't work out. m aking sure your good e:\.-pedence "The newest employee at the lowest keeps yom· p remjmns salary may be the only impression your low ? Your claims customer gets of the business," Craft experi ence is w hat an said. "That's why it's critical to have ir1suTan ce carrier well-trained employees who will repre­ looks at ..v ben raising or lowering the cost sent your company well." of yom· in s urance coverage. Let us AN EASIER ALTERNATIVE show you how we· ve been helpin g :"lcvada here are simpler ways to staff a busi­ businesses for 25 years ~;th o ne of the ness, such as contracting with a ser­ T best loss preven tion vice to provide temporary employees. programs available. Eastridge estimates it will place about Ca ll us roday 3,000 temporary and 900 full-time em­ an d i_m provc ployees in Las Vegas businesses this year. your e:xrpe1·ien ce by relying on o urs . The staffing service option has numerous benefits. Businesses can "audition" tem­ porary employees by seeing how they perform before offering them a perma­ nent position, Whisner said. Also, busi­ ness people who don't have time to search for employees can go to a staffing service to fill positions. These advan­ tages, combined with labor scarcity, mean staffing services are in high de­ mand. Competition among staffing ser­ vices is fierce. There are now more than 200 agencies to choose from in Las lAYNE ~ - ~ i0i5 Spen(·er S u~ct­ Vegas alone. ilh Fluor. L'ls \'ega.-.. ,\\' 89 11 9 Using a qualified staffing service bene­ ASSOCIATES 702-385-3955 INSURANCE "'''"w.layne-associates.com fits employers in the long run because such agencies can more efficiently deter­ mine which applicants are right for a business, said Ted Hirsch, president and time or the resources to check prospects skills and attitude, but makes sure the CEO of Remedy Staffing Corp. Remedy, this thoroughly. "Most people don't know employee's personality is a match for the which has 300 offices nationwide, places how to interview well," Hirsch added. job. As an example, sales positions re­ about 70 percent of its people in clerical The service will take care of payroll, ben­ quire people with outgoing personalities, positions and 30 percent in light industrial efits and other paperwork for the employ­ while other positions require other traits. jobs. The service has strict guidelines for ees and, in effect, will become a human "Some people are great team players, but applicants, rejecting about half, he said. resource department for its clients. can't work alone," he said. "Our evalua­ Applicants must have at least two refer­ "One of the biggest problems facing tions will show this." ences that check out. They are then put businesses is employee retention," Hirsch Entrepreneurs with patience can in­ through 3 Y2 hours of intense testing to continued. "Companies can't afford crease the skill level of employees with discover their skills and determine their turnover. This means they have to keep the right attitudes, Whisner said. The key honesty and attitude. The applicants are retraining employees, and it's just not is to find employees with the potential to also interviewed extensively. productive." The service not only takes increase their skills and productivity as Small business people don't have the pride in sending employees with the right the business grows. •

june 1999 • evada Business journal 17 and long distance phone service

• Member-t r referrals .. I c • Seminars, , networking mixers Lincoln County Regional Development Authority

Unconventional resources enable county to pursue unconventional growth opportunities

VITAL STATISTICS ictoria Gilpatrick, chair of the Lincoln LCRDA to draft an County Regional Development Authority economic development POPULATION V (LCRDA), refers to the area as Clark plan last September. With 4 ,100 County's "tourism backyard." While that means the aid of the Nevada Test Site Development Corp. and funding AREA Lincoln County often resides in the shadow of its 10,650 square miles flashier southern neighbor, it also translates into from Community Development a spillover of 200,000 visitors a year. The coun­ Block Grants, the plan has inspired a di­ MAJOR CITIES ty 's five state parks - which claim such pic­ alogue within the region "about what we can Alamo Caliente turesque names as Cathedral Gorge and Echo do to encourage growth," Gilpatrick noted. Panaca Canyon - its Scenic Highway and the abundant "We've been stagnant long enough. We want to Pioche opportunities for outdoor sportsmen are driving see some growth and development in our commu­ Rachel an ongoing inflow of deer hunters, fishermen and nity. We can work with companies and assist them wildlife and bird watchers. "Lincoln County pos-· in every way possible. We can't offer 'freebies,' PRIMARY ECONOMIC ENGINES Agriculture sesses natural resources that make it very valu­ but if a firm wants to locate here, we'll do every­ Nevada State Government able," Gilpatrick asserted. · thing we can to find the best property for it." Nevada Test Site Converting those resources, which transcend the A ready cache of available property may soon Un ion Pacific Ra ilroad tourism realm, into a thriving business community evaporate as a barrier to attracting business and in­

MAJOR COMPANIES has become a paramount mission of the LCRDA. dustry. The county is in the process of acquiring Lincoln County Telephone Co. Things have not been easy lately for Lincoln 400 acres of land from the Bureau of Land Man­ jim Willkin Trucking County, its business leaders and residents. The agement in Alamo for the development of an in­ most substantial employer in Nevada's third dustrial park. To supplement the Alamo project, NEWER BUSINESSES Caliente Lumber largest county is the state, though Union Pacific the city of Caliente has donated a 100-acre parcel Delights Gift Shop has put many to work in Caliente. for another industrial site. According to Gilpatrick, Longhorn Cattle Co. This limited employment scenario led the the properties are ideally suited for such business- Pioneer Pizza

YEAR AUTHORITY EST. 1998

CHAIRWOMAN Victoria Gilpatrick

TRANSPORTATION THOROUGHFARES u.s. 93 State Rte. 319

AIRPORT Lincoln County Airport

RAILROADS Union Pa ci fic

Right: Overlooking Caliente

June 1999 • Nevada Business Jotllll3! 19 have 250 home sites available for devel­ opment, and Panaca has an additional 50 home sites. There's room to grow here. That's a good thing, because Gilpatrick, who works for the water company, has no­ ticed an influx of residents from Clark County. "Our population is growing. A lot of city dwellers from Henderson and Las Vegas who want to retire away from city life are coming our way, and we're seeing farmers from Mesquite move to the area as well," she observed. Gilpatrick hopes such slow but steady Above: The rockj01mations of Cathedral Gorge State Park are located one mile from Panaca. growth will characterize the county's Below: Caliente's train depot and city hall. business community in the coming years. In many ways, developing commercial es as fireworks manufacturers and recy­ quite high - you can dig down just two or real estate is easier in rural Lincoln Coun­ cling plants - companies needing loca­ three feet and find water." ty than it is in Las Vegas: electricity, sewer tions away from heavily populated areas. The LCRDA seems to have big plans for and water rates are lower, and businesses She adds that several interested business­ its future. But attracting modem-day in­ need comply only with state regulations, es have already contacted LCRDA authori­ dustrial operations to a rustic region lack­ whereas companies in the city face a host ties regarding the land. ing such infrastructure necessities as a of EPA and other onerous regulations. Land has always figured prominently in major hospital may seem a daunting task. Gilpatrick hopes to add such facts to the Lincoln County's economy. Settlers Perhaps Lincoln County has an edge over arsenal of information the LCRDA draws mined the earth for silver in the last cen­ other rural areas around the country: it on to bring desirable growth to the county. tury. Alfalfa and com farming and cattle claims a telecommunications capacity that "We would like to see clean, environmen­ and sheep ranching remain crucial to the belies its pastoral status. "We have fantas­ tally safe businesses - whether they're re­ area's commercial climate. That is likely tic fiber-optics capabilities and Internet lated to agriculture, manufacturing or to continue. Each community in the coun­ access," Gilpatrick asserted. computer industries," she stated. "We ty has drawn up a wish list of industries; That's not all Lincoln County offers. Its want to grow here, and we'll talk to any Alamo's, for example, includes dairy Caliente-based community college works business who wants quality of life, some farms, feedlots, vegetable farms and dude with high schoolers in Panaca, and though isolation and clean air." ranches, according to Gilpatrick. Several the area's actual population is low, Perhaps the formula for growth Gil­ of the latter are already either planned or Gilpatrick cites census numbers showing patrick describes will allow Lincoln Coun­ underway: The Longhorn Cattle Co. at an available workforce of up to 18,000 ty to slowly but surely emerge from the Rainbow Canyon in Caliente features people. "We have a large percentage of shadow Clark County casts. With peaceful, restaurants, banquet areas and an im­ college and high school graduates, so we remote state parks and industrial parks mense log cabin. High Desert Springs, a can provide the high quality workers com­ alike, Lincoln County is on the verge of be­ dude ranch in Hiko with a golf course and panies desire," she said. The county also coming a microcosm of the state of Neva­ casino, is under construction. Alamo's has the capacity to furnish homes for fu­ da, with something for everyone, whether JFDI Ranch is a retreat designed to host ture residents: Alamo and Pioche each resident, business owner or tourist. • programs for such companies as Rapport Leadership International. The LCRDA is also tapping into its nat­ ural resources in an effort to pursue less conventional industries. A feasibility study will determine the potential for uti­ li-z,ing \he byprod"Uct:> of pinion and )'U­ niper trees, which the BLM razes to con­ trol fues, for generating power, among other purposes. A feasibility study will also pinpoint whether Pioche, the county seat, is suited to housing a water bottling company. "We have substantial water available due to our hot springs," Gilpatrick explained. "Our water table is

20 Nevada Business Journal • June 1999 NEVADA Call centers continue influx; restaurant growth anracts service industries

evada's metropolitan markets Carson City's Sunrise Industrial Park. The distribution for commercial kitchen have become renowned for 8,500-square-foot facility employs six. equipment, opened a 6,100-square-foot their call center-friendly COVINGTON FOOD, the makers of New­ branch office on East Patrick in Las N business climates and com­ berry's Premium dry soft-serve mixes, Vegas. The company's 32nd location in mercial real estate inventory. That repu­ established a facility at 4125 Arctic the U.S. will serve restaurants, hotels, tation continues to attract call centers Spring Circle in Las Vegas. The company casinos, hospitals and universities to Southern Nevada. will employ five. DARJA lABORATORIES throughout the Valley. GCS Service, Indianapolis-based USA GROUP opened represents another manufacturer moving which furnishes time and materials ser­ a 71,600-square-foot student loan default to Nevada. The medical lotions maker vice for all types of commercial cooking, prevention call center at West Charleston will take over 43,000 square feet in refrigeration and warewashing equip­ and Town Center in Summerlin. While the Meridian Business Park in Douglas ment, expects to employ 15. facility currently employs 80, company County, and will employ 12. FAIRFI ELD RESORTS opened an office officials say they expect the branch to put Safety, medical and dental supplies at 7730 West Sahara to provide service 300 more staffers to work in the next 12 distributor COAST TO COAST SAFETY has for a timeshare developer. The company to 18 months. USA Group, which chose leased a 1,400-square-foot facility at expects to employ 78. the Las Vegas site over 38 other possible 8330 West Hacienda in Las Vegas. The Like the restaurant and resort indus­ sites, has established an ultimate employ­ company will create five to 10 new jobs. tries, retail growth continues in the state. ment objective of 500 in five years. Florida-based DANKA OFFICE IMAGING YANKEE CANDLE COMPANY, headquar­ Also pinpointing Las Vegas as a suit­ represents another _distributor locating tered in Massachusetts, recently opened able call center locale is EDUCATION operations in Las Vegas. The fax machine its first company-owned outlet in Nevada CREDIT SERVICES (ECS), a Virginia-based and copier distributor has leased 116,000 with a 1,375-square-foot store at Las collections agency. ECS recently opened square feet at Dermody Business Park. Vegas' Boulevard Mall. The store, the a 16,000-square-foot call center on South The new Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center company's 67th, currently employs sev­ Highland. The company specializes in is soon to be the site for two companies eral full- and part-time workers, though the collection of defaulted government new to Nevada. When HYDRO-LINE INC. more employees are expected. loans, with an emphasis on student loans. opens Nevada operations in August, the ADVANCED RETAIL MANAGEMENT SYS­ Its new Southern Nevada office serves as hydraulic cylinder manufacturer will em­ TEM is bringing both high-tech business the company's West Coast operations ploy 12 and occupy 17,000 square feet of and corporate headquarters to Henderson. center, and will put approximately 200 space at the industrial center. Mining The business management software employees to work. company BT INDUSTRIES is also estab­ provider set up U.S. headquarters at CREDIT ACCEPTANCE CORP. is leasing a lishing operations at Tahoe-Reno Indus­ 2200 Corporate Circle. It expects to 9,300-square-foot facility at the Plazas at trial Center. The company, when it opens employ 25 at the site. Green Valley Corporate Center in Hen­ next month, will have 20 employees and The growth in community banks derson. The company will have 50 em­ a 25,000-square-foot facility. in Nevada may prove beneficial to ployees at the site. The area's quickly expanding restau­ BANKERSPEN, LLC. The company pro­ The state also remains popular with rant industry grew by one more establish­ vides policies, procedures and consulting manufacturers and distributors. lAWN ment when restaurateur Nicholas "Nick" solutions specifically designed to meet ANCHOR, I NC., manufacturer of an offset Nickolas moved to Las Vegas from Boca the needs of community banks. Though sprinkler spike with ground-grabbing web Raton, Fla. to open NEVADA NICK' S- AN the company is headquartered in Las construction, opened operations in Round ORIGINAL STEAKHOUSE. The restaurant is Vegas, it plans to serve community banks Mountain. The company is leasing 300 slated to open this month at The Resort across Nevada. square feet of space and employs two, at Summerlin. Finally, BOSS BROADCASTING, a basic though, according to Sandy Harmon of The expansive restaurant growth in services supplier of television program­ EDEN, Lawn Anchor "anticipates serious Southern Nevada is attracting industry­ ming, opened an office at 3753 Howard expansion soon." BATZ CoRP., a hardware related companies. GCS SERVICE, INC., a Hughes Parkway in Las Vegas. The new products distributor, has opened up shop in provider of maintenance, repair and parts facility currently employs 15. •

June 1999 • Nevada Business journal 21 REMEMBER

I

ot long ago, ASCENTRA on our state like a swarm of car­ (you may have known us petbaggers, hoping to go back as Horizon CompCare and home again with your business NProfessional Health Ser­ in their pockets, ask yourself vices) provided health care to in­ this question: If you live in jured Nevada workers. As Nevada, work in Nevada, get in­ providers for the State Industrial jured on the job in Nevada, and Insurance System, we helped an get better in Nevada, why average of 150 workers every day would you want to deal with a get back to work. And we were so workers' compensation company good at it that workers, employers, that isn't in Nevada? doctors, and hospitals all gave us high marks. Well, we're back. Come July 1, ASCENTRA will one of them has the experience be back in the workers' compen­ in Nevada we have. sation business. Along with hun­ So when representatives of ASCENTRA dreds of other companies. But not those large companies descend exceeding expectations

702•86S .. 6979 PEOPLE ON THE

BANKING & fiNANCE THOMAS FLADER joined Vegas firm as an escrow officer. Prior to PARAGON ASSET MANAGE­ joining Lawyers Title, Martorano was re­ enderson-based SILVER STATE BANK MENT in Henderson as vice gional claims handler for Stewart Title Hnamed assistant vice president VIR­ president of sales and market­ Guaranty in Seanle. Gutowksi was with GINIA "jEANNIE" ROBERTSON ing. Flader, who served as Stewart Title of Nevada. manager of its 65 W. Lake THOMAS FLADER an investment specialist for Mead Drive branch. Robert­ Charles Schwab & Co. before joining All TITLE OF NEVADA recently son, who possesses more than Paragon, will be responsible for marketing appointed three officers in Las 23 years of banking experi­ financial advisory services and developing Vegas. The firm named cur­ ence, has been with Silver )EANN IE new business relationships. rent district manager CHARLIE State since its 1996 founding. ROBERTSON Tnus president. Titus will

PIONEER CITIZENS BANK in CHARLIE TITus oversee all company opera­ The NEVADA SOCIETY OF Las Vegas announced several tions in the state. ATI Title CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUN­ hires and promotions. MAR­ also named jUAN RODRIGUEZ TANTS appointed DIANNE M. GARET FOSTER joined Pioneer senior v ice president. RuuD executive director and Citizens as vice president/real Rodriguez oversees all title . MARGARET CROSSLEY assis­ MARGARET FOSTER estate loan officer. PATRICE operations and is the area rep­ DIANNE RuuD tant executive director. Ruud GRAY was hired as assistant JuAN RoDRIG uEz resentative for Norwest Mort­ has been with the organization since 1982; cashier and operations officer gage and Wells Fargo Bank. Crossley joined last year as a consultant. at the Green Val­ MICHELLE LUKSO was named ley branch. PAM­ vice president of escrow oper­ U.S. BANK named ROBERT ELA NEWELL and ations. Her duties include su­ NIELSEN vice president of its PATRI CE GRAY FABIAN VINCENT pervising escrow personnel commercial mortgage bank­ were named vice MICHELLE LUK SO and procedures. )OHN ing subsidiary, Ward Cook, presidents and VANDERPLOEG Inc. Nielsen, whose duties in­ private bankers. NEVADA STATE BANK promot­ RoBERT NIELSEN elude placement of income Pioneer Citizens ed numerous officers in Las property loans with capital market lenders, also promoted Vegas. jOE LAIACONA, KATHY was previously assistant vice president and PAMELA NEWELL jOHN VANDER- jUMPER and ROBERT GERBER relationship manager with Key Bank in PLOEG , jENNIFER were appointed vice president, Las Vegas. KELSEY and Lu­ branch managers. KATHY ANN KEYES from ASETTA was promoted to con­ COLONIAL BANK's board of directors ap­ account service sumer/installment quality con­ pointed RICHARD l. MARTUCCI, SR. presi­ representatives to trol officer. SARAH WALKER dent and CEO. The board also announced FABIAN VINCENT assistant CaShierS was named vice president, the promotion of MARK CARR and jACQUE­ and personal bankers. LuANN Kms trust officer and MELETITA LINE M. PARKER to executive vice presi­ KATHY JuMPER "MEL" MURRAY was promoted dents. They will assume their respective LAURIE S. KALNIN was named regional ac­ to assistant vice president, cor­ positions of senior credit officer and senior count manager for COMMERCIAL (API­ porate trust manager. The bank operations officer. TAL'S Nevada regional office in Las Vegas. promoted LISA PERRY-SHEESE Kalnin was most recently executive direc­ to assistant vice president, COMSTOCK BANK in Reno promoted tor of the Southern Nevada Certified De­ trust officer. KATHY GATELY ROGER KADZ to vice president of com­ velopment Company, and in 1997 she was named assistant vice pres­ mercial lending. Kadz has nearly 27 years served as SBA Financial Services Advo­ ident, compliance department of experience in banking and real estate c.MP. fnr thP. !:t::>tP. nf NPv::>rh m:l.n::t8Qr !Uld jULIIC: ~ANCI-111:2 lending. He joined Comstock in 1996 as was appointed training officer. a commercial loan officer after serving RANDY MARTORANO joined LAWYERS ANNA MANRIQI,JE was promot­ as a vice president with First Interstate TITLE OF NEVADA as advisory title officer, ed to corporate assistant rela­ LisA PERRY· Bank of Nevada. and ROWENE GUTOWSKI joined the Las SHEESE tionship officer.

June 1999 • Nevada Business Journal 23 PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

DEVELOPMENT & REAL ESTATE RED HAWK, the golf club at Wingfield PULTE HOMES' Las Vegas di­ Springs in Sparks, named MATTHEW vision promoted jOE WHATLEY ARRY V . HOFFMAN was MOLLOY head golf professional. Molloy, and TOM CALLAHAN from Lnamed a vice president for who was promoted from fust assistant golf general sales managers to HDR ENGINEERING, INC., and professional, has been with Red Hawk vice presidents of Walter R. Phemister joined the since last year. JoE WHATLEY sales and market­ firm's Las Vegas office as a se- LARRY HoFFMAN ing. Whately joined Pulte in nior environmental planner. Both possess COMMERCIAL ROOFERS in Las Vegas hired 1991 , Callahan in 1990. more than 27 years' industry experience, NATHAN SCHWEIGART as project manager. Under their leadership, Pulte

Hoffman in transportation engineering and Schweigart, who has been in the roofing experienced record closing ToM CALLAHAN management and Phemister in environ­ industry for 10 years, was previously pro­ numbers in 1998. mental and transportation planning and ject manager with Red Rose Roofing. project management. LAKE LAs VEGAS RESORT appointed W. RALPH l. ABEYTA, PE joined BRADLEY NELSON chief operating officer. SOUTHERN H IGHLANDS GOLF GEOTECHNICAL & ENVIRON­ Nelson comes to Lake Las Vegas Resort CLUB in Las Vegas named MENTAL SERVICES, INC. as a with 29 years of experience as a large-scale RILEY STOTTERN golf course project engineer. DANIEL C. land developer and executive, including a superintendent. Stottem has BURNS, EIT was named envi­ post as COO of American Nevada Corp. more than 35 years' experi­ ronmental project manager for RILEY STOITERN ence as a certified golf course the Las Vegas fum. Abeyta The Western U.S. Division of superintendent overseeing course con­ will perform geotechnical en­ PERINI BUILDING COMPANY, struction, maintenance and management. gineering, while Burns will INC. promoted jEFFREY H. manage and oversee site as­ EHRET, SAMUEL W. SABIN and HARRIS CONSULTING ENGINEERS an­ sessments, investigations, re- jOSEPH SCHINDLER to vice nounced three Las Vegas hires. WILLIAM T. DAN IEL BuRNs mediation and site closure. JEFFREY EHRET president, operations. Each of ALLEN joined the firm, and RICHARD A. them will be responsible for FARKAS will serve as construction admin­ ALAN N . STILLEY was appointed regional multiple projects and clients. istrator. jOHNNY ASHCRAFT, an electrical senior engineer for KLEIN FELDER's South­ The builder also designer, is responsible for electrical sys­ em Nevada area. Stilley possesses more promoted Mark tem design, including lighting, power lay­ than 24 years of environmental and geot­ Caspers to vice out and distribution, medium voltage dis­ echnical engineering experience, and will SAMUEL SABIN president of field tribution and coordination studies. manage geotechnical engineering projects operations upon completion JOSEPH and develop new business. of his current assignment as ScHINDLER TRIZECHAHN hired PAUL M. general superintendent for the Paris Las BEIRNES as director of mar­ CARTER & BURGESS INC. ap­ Vegas Casino Resort. keting for Desert Passage at pointed three new managers The Aladdin Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. jERRY STUEVE, MARK A. BoucHARD became on the Las Vegas Strip. The PE was named a senior project vice president of marketing

PAuL BE IRNES developer also appointed manager with the Las Vegas of the THOMAS & MACK GRANT T. BARBRE director of Public Works Unit. Stueve has DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, and partnership marketing in its more than 15 years' experi­ BRUCE T. RICHARDS joined

corporate office. Both come ence working on water and MARK Bo ucHAR D he company as vice president from the Walt Disney Compa­ wastewater projects. SHAFIQ of finance. Bouchard will ny, where they collectively ALAM, PfJSE, a 20-year indus­ oversee marketing and leas­ GRANT BARBRE have 15 years' experience. ' try veteran, has joined the fum ing activities at the Las Vegas SHAFIQALAM as a structural group leader developer's various projects. THE REVERE AT ANTHEM in with the Las Vegas Facilities Richards will be responsible

Henderson recently named Unit. LENKA DEWA, PE was BRucE RICHARDs for financial management jOEL VILLANOS marketing/ appointed project manager of more than 1.5 million square feet of tournament director. Villanos, with the Las Vegas Trans­ existing office, retail, apartment and who specializes in the devel- portation Unit. Dewa has hotel development, as well as financial JoEL VILLANos opment · of operational tour­ l.fNKA DEw A more than 14 years of experi­ analysis and modeling for more than nament planning, has almost five years' ence in the design, engineering and man­ 5.8 million square feet of new develop­ experience in the golf industry. agement of heavy construction projects. ment on 300 acres.

24 Nevada Business journal • june 1999 )OHN DVORAK joined COLLIERS INTERNA· TIONAL in Las Vegas as a senior property manager. Dvorak is responsible for the day-to-day management of a portfolio that includes retail and office space and indus­ trial properties.

GAMING & TOURISM

ART ). PESTRICHELLO was Bnamed senior vice presi­ dent of casino operations at STATIONS CASINOS, INC. Pestrichello assumes respon­ sibility for table game opera­ WEST 1341 S. Rainbow Blvd. 255-4200 tions at the company's four EAST 731 N. Nellis Blvd. 438-4003 major Las Vegas properties. NORTH 4920 lone Min . Rd . 655-0550 The company also appointed RAMPART 8522 Del Webb Dr. 254-9192 )OHN GUYER executive chef SPRING MTN. 4215 W. Spring Min . Rd . 362-7877 and GENE BENZEL assistant executive chef at Palace Sta­ National Joint GALLERIA 1397 Galleria Dr. 436-5800 tion Hotel & Casino. )OHN GUYER Commission Accreditation GOLDEN TRIANGLE 1302 W. Craig Rd . 657-9555

The ElDORADO HOTEL/CASI· NO in Reno named GEORGE KISLER table games manager / f I \ and ERICH SCHMITT room / The manager in its Tivoli Gardens ~» 'Of l'{~vada Busin'ess.Jou,rnaL. / / restaurant. Kisler, who has ext~nds our heartfelt condolences,to ~ more than 20 years' gaming - ~ industry experience, will over­ Yalley Hospital Medical Center f91! the loss see all table games operations. ~ / Schmitt will supervise Tivoli ;;'_,;of the Flight for Life h licopter and crew: ERICH ScHMm Gardens' daily operations.

FITZGERALDS CASINO AND These ~ elfless individuals - wli-o / HOLIDAY INN in Las Vegas -- named MARY CRANE vice pres­ gave their lives jn SeDVice to 9Hi ident of hotel operations. She oversees the daily operations community- were irreplaceable. / I -c7 MA RY CR ANE of the hotel, facilities, MJS , housekeeping, purchasing, gift shop and Th~ir presence will truly be mi~s~o/ · the national sales office. Crane has been af­ ·{ ,..- . - J I /:_.?' filiated with the property since 1980. / { - 'a,

June 1999 • Nevada Busin ess Journal 25 PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Las Vegas-based Salvador and at McKeesport Hospital in and a team of gaming deputies provide legal EAGLE SCENIC AVI­ McKeesport, Penn. Shalini is a graduate of counsel to the Nevada Gaming Commis­ ATION GROUP com­ University of Madras in India, and per­ sion and the State Gaming Control Board. pleted its acqui- formed her residency at the University of

GRANT MuRRAY sition of Scenic Nevada School of Medicine. THERE SA l. (ARTER joined ------Airlines and an­ )OHN PETER LEE, LTD. as an IIICSJ-f:IT"l nounced its man­ PACIFI(ARE OF NEVADA appointed )AMES associate attorney. In addition, agement structure. FREY president and CEO. Frey was previ­ the law finn appointed PAUL GRANT G. MURRAY ously vice president of operations/cus­ C. RAY head of its appeals di- ~ will continue as tomer services for Arizona/Nevada. He PAuL RAY vision. Prior to joining the ___BRIAN OUEHRING._ president. BRIAN MARY ScHNE ID ER joined the company in 1994 as director of finn, Carter was a partner and attorney DUEHRING was ap­ regulatory and legal affairs. with Nersesian, Carter, Nelson, Bolton. pointed vice pres­ She earned her law degree from Whittier ident of oper­ LAw& Law School. Ray handles the majority of the Las Vegas law firm 's appeals cases, in­ ations , Fokker " GOVERNMENT HOLLIS OSBORN F27 Aircraft Fleet. SID HURST cluding a wide range of civil matters. HOLLIS OsBORN was named vice president OHN SHERMAN was appointed finance of operations, deHavilland Twin Otter Air­ J director of WASHOE COUNTY. Shennan MEDIA& craft Fleet. LAURA POOLE was named vice has been involved with local and state gov­ COMMUNICATIONS president of administration, and MARY ernment fiscal issues in Nevada for the last SCHNEIDER was appointed vice president 15 years, serving Washoe County as a AMILLE MANSFIELD was of finance. The company named SID management analyst for the last decade. Cnamed senior art director HuRST vice president of maintenance. for ENVISION ADVERTISING & DENNIS GALLAGHER joined SCHRECK MARKETING in Reno. Mans­ BOOMTOWN HOTEL AND (AS I­ MORRIS in Las Vegas and will practice in field brings 10 years' experi- NO STEVE FUH­ in Reno added the law finn's gaming law section. Gal­ ence to the Reno-based finn; CAMILLE LENDORF to its casino host lagher previously held counsel positions she leads the visual direction MANSFIELD team. Fuhlendorf has more with Harrah's, the state of Nevada and and design of all publications, ads and col­ than 12 years of casino mar­ Powerhouse Technologies, Inc. lateral materials in the art department.

STEVE keting experience, and will be FUHLENDORF in charge of retaining existing PHILLIP ROSENQUIST, AICP Reno-based RosE/GLENN customers while increasing customer de­ was selected as assistant di­ GROUP named DONNA PUT­ velopment. He will also generate aware­ rector for (LARK COUNTY'S NAM public relations manager ness strategies, strengthen and grow exist­ department of comprehensive and )OANIE GRAHAM an ac­ ing markets and take an active daily role in planning, advanced planning count executive. Putnam DONNA PUTNAM complimentary decision management. division. Rosenquist was pro- brings more than six years of PHILLIP . . RosENQUIST moted from assistant planrung advertising and public rela­ WET'N WILD Las Vegas ap­ manager for the advanced planning divi­ tions management, production pointed DAVE WRIGHT direc­ sion, where he led the regional planning and creative experience, most tor of marketing. Wright's team. He possesses 20 years of profession­ recently as director of adver­ responsibilities include media al planning experience. JoANIE GRAHAM tising and public relations for relations, advertising coordi- Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. Gra­ DAvE WRIGHT nation, marketing and promo­ The NEVADA STATE DAIRY COMMISSION ham's seven years of marketing experience tional program development, entertain­ appointed STACY M. jENNINGS executive include her most recent post as director of ment booking and staff management. director. Jennings was formerly the vice marketing, fundraising and administrative president and interim president of the services for the YMCA of Sierra. HEALTH & Nevada Association of Hospitals and INSURANCE Health Systems. (YRUS ZENHARI joined MASS­ MEDIA as an account execu­ R. MARIO PENA and DR. K.S. SHALINI KIRK D. HENDRICK was promoted to chief tive. The Las 0 recently joined RAINBOW MEDICAL deputy attorney general of the NEVADA Vegas-based pub­ CENTERS. Perra is a graduate of the Uni­ STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S gaming divi­ lic relations firm versity of El Salvador in San Salvador, El sion. Hendrick has been with the attorney CYRUS ZENHARI alSO appointed Salvador, and perfonned residencies in El general's office for more than five years. He ANN MARIE KLUZA public re­ ANN MARIE lations coordinator. Zenhari KLUZA

26 Nevada Business journal • june 1999 oversees production of press materials and participate in client communications and relations. Kl uza assists in client relations and the creation of press materials.

QUILLIN & Co. ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS of Las Vegas hired MARC (HEIKEN as a copywriter/associate produc­ er. Cheiken has over eight years of experi­ ence in the communications industry, in­ cluding positions as a general assignment reporter with two Midwestern TV stations.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

as Vegas-based MGC CoM­ LMUNICATIONS promoted five employees. RICK HEATTER is now assistant vice ,. MICHAEL president, legal CoPPERT administration , RICK HEATIER while PAT CHICAS was named vice president, Internet and data services. MICHAEL SCOTT BUFTON HENDERSON oroducoo by a production of S!llCial thanks to PAT CHI CAS was promoted to director of Internet and data services. Ilk\ ~ M ICHAE L (OPPERT is now di­ CL 'PSE /k4~~ rector of applications develop­ ment, and M ICHAEL HENDER­ SON was appointed product Scon 8UFTON development director.

NEXTLI NK N EVADA hired RoBERT E. H O FF­ MAN as an account executive and Sonya Denison in an account billing support po­ sition. Before joining NEXTLINK in Las Vegas, Hoffman worked for George S. May as a business analyst. Denison previ­ ously worked for CBC Financial as an ad­ ministrative assistant.

WAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTION ~ ~ PORTIF U SA M A I L ORDER in Reno Snamed NICK lE PR ICE art department manager and TIM RE ISIG general mer­ chandise manager. Price oversees the de­ sign and production of all corporate, MISSION , u_brJp__c_-;Up, ~ntP__o_"'P.t .":l..orl ~1X'l-~1J nrflp_r r-n..ll'.:l.t IIOIDUS Tat ~t• era!. Reisig's duties include inventory plarLning, budgeting and buying. •

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Mind by Cindie Geddes

WOMEN AND MINORITIES ARE A GROWING

SEGMENT OF BUSINESS OWNERS.

BUT EVEN AS THEY GROW, THEY

RESOURCES ARE

AVAILABLE TO THEM. stead serve as agents of change. Allison mall firms make at grants, Loftus, executive director of the Southern least two undeniable small busi­ Nevada Certified Development Corp. contributions to the Amer- ness helps mil­ (CDC), points out women are particularly ican economy. As sources of lions enter the econom- good at creative approaches to starting a constant experimentation and ic· and social mainstream. business. Women know how to take a hob­ Sinnovation, they play an integral part in A Nobel Prize-winning study on by and tum it into an enterprise, which is the renewal process that defines market why such firms exist asked the question of not an easy task, but is uniquely rewarding. economies. Their role as leaders of tech­ why businesses start up in industries where Small firms are about becoming nological change and productivity growth incumbent firms are experiencing negative prospects for the future rather than a repe­ is crucial. Small firms also serve as an es­ profits and a loss in market share to foreign tition of the past; they're about change and sential mechanism by which many access companies. The suggested answer offered competition. Discoveries among small the American dream. By creating opportu­ that new firms aren't simply smaller repli­ businesses usually come just a few years nities for women, minorities and imrni- cas of large, incumbent enterprises, but in- after founding. Small firms are catalysts for innovation, providing an essential source of new ideas that would otherwise AILEEN MARTIN owner in the country," she said. That's remain untapped. The innovation of small Silver State Skycap not the only reason things have been firms and their ability to explore new tech­ tough at times: "When I started in the re­ nologies is surprising, since they are often ileen Martin, who owns the Reno­ tail industry, 1 had no retail experience." resource-poor, have small research and de­ Tahoe International Airport skycap That doesn't seem to have made a differ­ velopment budgets and limited manpower. Abusiness and several retail stores ence in the satisfaction levels of her cus­ Small firms overcome limited resources with her mother, state Senator Bernice tomers; she says she's never had a cus­ by turning to community networks. They Mathews ofWashoe County District 1, be­ tomer service complaint. "You have to often rely on regional knowledge for im­ came an entrepreneur because she "didn't give the best service possible - 100 per­ portant inputs into the innovation process. like corporate America." Prior to owning cent isn't enough. It's average." Through this process of accessing and Silver State Skycap, she also held a clean­ Martin, who doesn't believe things have sharing knowledge with other fmns in ing service and a shoe shine service. improved much in recent years for their geographic area, small businesses Martin's business experiences place African-American and woman business help the circulation and building of region­ her in a league of her own. "I was the owners, offers a simple piece of advice: al networks. The networks then serve as first and am still the only female skycap "Don't ever give up." word-of-mouth advertising. Jan Lewellyn­ Davidson, president of JLD Consulting

june 1999 • Nevada Business journal 29 WOMAN- & MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES

Services and co-owner of Creative Visions ever. And being a woman entrepreneur ful­ Marketing and Promotion in Las Vegas, fills a number of social and economic expresses the sentiment of many woman needs. Women are now more than ever able and minority business owners when she to contribute to a growing economy with­ says, "I'd rather refer someone to a out sacrificing so many family priorities. woman- or minority-owned business if it's Angela Wright, co-owner of the Yoga a good business. They probably need the Center in Reno, says there seems to be a work more." However, since her reputation big paradigm shift in women's roles. More is on the line, those referrals will only women are seeking options that don't force come for the most qualified businesses. them to choose between their children and their career. ''When you have a child," WOMAN- AND MINORITY-OWNED notes Wright, "you have to be creative." BUSINESSES FLOURISH Home-based businesses are an excellent way to apply that creativity to serve two ess than 50 years ago, women made roles at once - mother and enu·epreneur. L up about 25 percent of the work­ The flexibility of setting one's own force - mostly as secretaries, nurses and hours, combined with the passion of doing teachers. Regulatory events such as the something for love as well as profit, has Civil Rights Act, the Equal Credit Op­ proven an appealing recipe for women. portunity and the Affirmative Action Act Jackie Shelton, owner of Realife Market­ opened up business ownership to women ing in Reno, adds that when choosing a Jan Lewellyn-Davidson and minorities. At the same time, the business, "It has to be something you care role of women in society began to tiona] Foundation for Women Business about. It's not just about money. It has to change. As more women successfully Owners (NFWBO) were founded. feed you." Loftus agrees, citing the old created, managed and grew companies, Since the 1970s, women's share of small adage that if you have to work, it might as the media and government recorded business ownership increased from 5 per­ well be work you love. She says women greater recognition of their achieve­ cent to 38 percent. New technology and in­ tend to want to do what makes them happy, ments. Women's business groups such as creased access have had a dramatic effect rather than just what makes them money. the National Association of Women on women-owned businesses. Starting a According to a 1996 study by the Business Owners (NAWBO) and the Na- home-based business is easier now than Continued on page 67

eludes IGT, Sierra Pacific Power Co., assistance, he offers counsel for those who Bently Nevada, Q&D Construction and pursue that route: "Lenders often take a University of Nevada-Reno, with which second look when minorities apply for he's had a contract since 1994. His com­ loans. Minorities probably have to go fortable position today is in stark contrast through more to prove they can cut the to his first year in business, when he made mustard at being in business. Business only $300. "All! wanted was some credi­ owners can improve the process by getting bility," Harris recalls. "I performed small to know their lenders and bankers and fol­ services for no charge. Instead ofpayment, lowing up on the status of loans. Don'tjust I asked for reference letters saying I did submit the information and think they'll the ;vork in a timely manner. Once I had a call you back. That's not how it works. Fol­ track record of proven ability, I started low the 'squeaky wheel' theory." QUINCY HARRis charging for my work." Harris says things are improving in NetWorks West Harris doesn't believe being African­ terms of the resources available for mi­ American has significantly impacted his nority entrepreneurs, though "not fast uincy Harris is a vivid embodi­ ability to find entrepreneurial success. enough," he opines. "A lot of minorities ment of the importance of perse­ "There 's no substitute for hard work and feel intimidated. If they get doors closed in Qverance. The husband and father tenacity, and there are no shortcuts," he their face, they often think it's race-relat­ of two daughters has come a long way asserts. "Make sure you have a plan, and ed. Many times it probably is. My advice since he established his Carson City-based make sure you stick to that plan, even if is to hang in there and keep trying. In this telecommunications consulting firm seven you think it's difficult to meet your goals." country, yo!J. can ultimately succeed if you years ago. NetWorks West's client list in- Though Harris bypassed SBA lending really want to."

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o man is an island, and no econ­ Paragon Asset Management Company. turns and slow downs affecting the rest of omy is either. In today's world, The perception that Nevada's economy the nation has been popular in some cir­ N economies are internationally in­ faces a bkak future has been around for cles in recent years, it meets with varying tertwined, for better or worse, and Neva­ some time, reflected in casino stocks only degrees of skepticism or acceptance. Like da is no exception. Historically, many now coming up from their lows. "The mar­ any traditionally held belief, it has some perceived Nevada as relatively immune to ket is up 30 percent a year each of the last roots in reality. the problems, recessions and downturns three years," remarks Bob Kasner, senior The idea most likely came from two affecting the rest of the country, but as the vice president and portfolio manager of sources, according to Tom Cargill, a pro­ state diversifies and broadens its econom­ Paragon Asset Management. Gaming fessor of economics at the University of ic base, it is apparent Nevada is no longer stocks have not enjoyed that growth. "I Nevada-Reno (UNR). The first, says an economic island unto itself. think there has ):>een a perception gaming Cargill, is that for a long time no sophis­ Nevada is enjoying a boom. As the bas been down in this state," adds Kasner. ticated analysis of the Nevada economy fastest growing state in the nation, it has a A recent article in the Wall Street Jour­ was performed . .Second, when a state is rapidly expanding economy and its future nal shows investors' faith in the new Las growing as rapidly as Nevada was during looks bright. Unemployment is low - Vegas properties is paying off. Despite the '60s and '70s and into the ' 90s, under four percent - and people who widespread concern that the gaming in­ there's a tendency to feel immune to busi­ want jobs are, for the most part, working. dustry is overbuilding, Las Vegas is ness cycles and their influence. Construction activity, both residential and booming, the Journal reports. In the wake William Hartmann, CPA, office manag­ commercial, remains high, and in the of new resort openings, average room ing partner for the Nevada practice of De­ southern part of the state, numbers of rates are up 5 to 10 percent and the Las loitte & Touche LLP, believes Nevada has tourists are expanding after a slump that Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority been historically immune to recessions left investors uncertain about Nevada's reports a 7.7 percent increase in tourism because of the travel and tourism indus­ economic future. and occupancy levels on weekends sur­ try. Relatively low room, food and bever­ In Las Vegas, the investment communi­ passing 96 percent. It is such positive age prices are attractive during a reces­ ty is finding reassurance in the opening of numbers that fuel a sense of invincibility sion; when airfares drop during lean the newest resort casinos, Bellagio, Man­ among some watchers of Nevada busi­ years, Las Vegas becomes a likely desti­ dalay Bay and The Venetian. "[Investors] ness and industry. nation for vacationers. However, with the are somewhat more comfortable that opening of the newest casino resorts in we'll be able to fill up the rooms, bring THE LEGEND Las Vegas, he speculates this may not be people in. I think the success of those ho­ the case in the future. tels will add stability down the road," pre­ hough the idea that Nevada is eco­ Because of significant investments in dicts Ted Schlazer of Las Vegas-based T nomically exempt from the down- the properties of various casino opera- 32 Nevada Business journal • june 1999 tions, resorts must charge higher rates situation is serious because of its direct place, both in gaming and housing. How­ for rooms, meals and beverages to tum effect on Nevada, but it could also have ever, "the basic rule of economies is profits in each of these centers. The in­ an adverse effect on the U.S. economy 'nothing lasts forever,"' he cautions. The ability to lower prices significantly leads that will reverberate throughout Nevada," casinos are driving the economy, but Hartmann to believe Nevada won't be as explains CargilL "The bottom line is eventually something will cause a slow immune to recession as in the past. things are not really optimistic. I would­ down. "You just can't have the building Dr. Sung Won Sohn, senior vice presi­ n't say pessimistic, but there's an awful we're having now and watch it go on for­ dent and chief economist for Norwest lot of uncertainty out there." ever," reasons Schlazer. Bank, Nevada, disagrees. "There are The situation, however, has been some­ If interest rates rose to a point where plenty of places to stay in Las Vegas," he what offset by the strong U.S. economy, buyers were unable to purchase homes, maintains. "You don't have to stay at says Dr. Sohn, and by the opening of the there could conceivably be a collapse in first -class hotels. I think the fact that there newest Las Vegas casinos and the fact that the construction pyramid, Schlazer added. are so many options creates a positive im­ more are coming. "These new casinos have A construction market slump following a pression. Another thing is since the num­ created additional demand over and above two-month period where a significantly ber of rooms is rising faster than the num­ current tourist traffic, so between the strong smaller percentage of people moved into ber of [tourists], the increase in room U.S. economy and these new casinos we the state would hurt the smaller banks that rates will eventually slow and may de­ have masked any possible problems we lend to builders. He doesn't see this hap­ crease. In fact, if a recession were to might have detected from Asia." pening, but the housing market can come, I think room rates could decline." Conversely, casino stocks have been at change in a hurry. "The home-building in­ The tourism industry hasn't rendered their lowest levels in some time for the dustry has the potential to have the most Nevada recession-proof, maintains Tod last couple of years because there hasn't impact. Borrowers are very leveraged and Little of Silver State Bank in Henderson, been the usual influx of Asian gamblers. they're building these homes at incredible but possibly recession-resistant. "I think Asia is just beginning to emerge from its paces. If you have 2,000 people a month if there's a national recession, historically economic collapse and the gamblers are moving in instead of 6,000 for a few you can look at Nevada and see the state's finally beginning to return. months, you're going to see a lot of homes markets were less affected," he observes. at fire sale prices." During a recession, when travel to such INSIDE INFLVENCES Both Kasner and Sohn disagree. "We destinations as New York, Hawaii or Eu­ could see a slowing of building, but I rope may prove too expensive, Las Vegas ithin the state itself, and aside from don't see the banks making real estate is still within the reach of many tourists. gaming the continuing construc­ loans where there's not really some equi­ W 1 The idea that Nevada is immune to or tion boom at both ends of the state seems ty behind the loans," says Kasner. less affected by the downturns and reces­ to draw the most media attention. Las Whereas much previous construction sions of the rest of the country is ridicu­ Vegas is the fastest growing large commu­ was speculative, based on anticipated de­ lous, UNR's Cargill maintains. "I haven't nity in the nation. According to Dr. Sohn, mand, the current building in housing seen it," agrees Kasner, who's lived in many people are corning to Las Vegas be­ and some commercial arenas is based on Nevada for 22 years. He's seen gaming cause of its reputation for high quality of current market requirements. "I think the rise and fall in popularity but in regard to life. The city is also growing rapidly due foundation is much firmer this time the national economy, he's witnessed two to people flocking in to fill abundant jobs. around," says Sohn. national downturns. He says both impact­ "When that happens you need schools, Whether or not it's occurring, diversi­ ed Nevada. "What happens to the nation­ houses, shopping centers, water, sewers fication also affects Nevada's economy. al economy directly affects us, always and related projects. As a result we have a Nevada is looking to bring high-tech has, at least the 22 years I've been here," kind of chicken or egg question. The jobs companies into the state, opting to move asserts Kasner. are bringing in more people, more people away from being the one economy sole­ mean more jobs and the interaction be­ ly reliant on gaming. As a one-industry OVTSIDE INFLVENCES tween population growth and job growth state, national or international slow­ has gone on for quite a while. I expect it to downs impacting the gaming industry evada no longer has to worry about continue until we actually experience are­ have the potential to seriously affect N the vibrancy of the national econo­ cession," he stated. Nevada's financial well being. While the my alone; global economic fluctuations Should a recession hit, Dr. Sohn sug­ state is beginning to diversify and the are showing a tendency to impact the gests, the result wouldn't be completely economy is expanding, there is still the state as welL The recent Asian crisis has negative. With its lower cost of living, perception among companies that Neva­ been felt not only by the U.S. economy Nevada would continue to draw new resi­ da is a gaming state. Dr. Sohn credits but by Nevada itself. The depreciation of dents from California. At the same time, Reno with significant attempts to diver­ foreign currency makes it too expensive much of our tourist trade also originates sify, and adds, "Any time you are con­ for foreign tourists to visit, and negative from California. centrated in one industry the way Las growth in the world's second largest According to Paragon's Schlazer, there Vegas is, that obviously creates greater economy - Japan - means people just is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm in probability of ups and downs. If you don't have money to spend. "The Asian the state with all the construction taking look at the rest of Nevada, it 's doing a

june 1999 • Nevada Business journal 33 NEVADA'S ECONOMY

not stones, are the true monuments much better job of diversifying and Reno the great. is an excellent example." ... John L. Motle)' Cargill doesn't see the diversification taking place. He feels gaming has been a mixed blessing to Nevada, seeing the state through the Great Depression and creating a good quality of life for Nevadans. But as we enter a new econo­ my, he feels the institutions driving the state are resisting diversification. "It's the nature of the business," he says. "They don't want to change because they're the ones that have the most to lose."

THE FORECAST

f a recession were imminent, there's I no indication Nevada would have any lag time to prepare. When recessions come and people get nervous, discre­ tionary spending stops. "That's what they're going to cut first," explains Hart­ mann, of Deloitte & Touche, "and we'd feel it very quickly." At present, however, the outlook is pleasant for both Nevada's economy and the U.S. economy; no one is expecting a major change anytime soon. Foreign economies have been among the biggest concerns and Asia is expected to recover quickly. About the U.S. economy, Hart­ mann adds, "Interest rates are in good shape, and there really aren't many dark clouds on the horizon right now." "The national economy is very su·ong right now and every indication shows it will continue to be strong," says Silver State Bank's Little. As for Nevada, he adds, "I think we're in the number one place, number one economy right now, right here. There's no question about it." Dr. Sohn is a little more cautious. Pre­ Improve your effectiveness with customers dicting the economy will stay strong, he still suggests consumer spending Attend a comprehensive high energy one-day training slow, and he expects both a mid-c program to: correction in the stock market and · • Develop more knowledge, skill and understanding of your customers interest rates, bringing the U.S. econ • Learn the four levels of Customer Value and impact your bottom line to a soft landing rather than a recessi • Improve relationships with customers and build loyalty Is Nevada affected by the ups and d and perambulations of the national June 24, 1999 my? The answer appears to be yes. H $249 per person. Discount available for groups. Price includes lunch. ever, as the Silver State and the nation­ come woven into an increasingly gi The Institute for Executive Development economy, we are not alone. And consi serving Las Vegas since 1989 ing the outlook for the nation as well as · 'N'NW.ied-consulting.com state, the consensus still points to For registration I information call (702) 733-1600 as an opportune place to be.

34 Nevada Business Journal • June 1999 A Nevadan Renaissance

Cities repair and renew troubled downtown areas

Reno's Riverwalk

ile Nevada has steadily to attract commercial businesses, while According to Jeffrey Siri, Cal-Neva vice flourished and prospered, at­ Reno and Henderson are hard at work de­ president and CFO, the deal calls for the tracting scores of new com­ veloping community-oriented projects. Cal-Neva to pay $1.8 million for one hotel Wpanies and residents, its tower and sign a three-year lease with an downtown areas are troubled and de­ option to buy the other tower. pressed. While the major cities have all RENO FOCUSES Dubbed the Riverside Project, the experienced growth, most of it seems dif­ ON RENOVATION, RIVER downtown redevelopment plan was adopt­ fuse and expansive. Gradually by parts ed by the agency four years ago and en­ and then suddenly at once, city centers huck Rosenow, manager of the compasses four city blocks, including the have become unpopular and decaying Reno economic development Riverside and Mapes hotel-casinos. "The places. Certainly, Nevada has fantastically C agency, says the city is making Riverside Project has been defined as dynamic cities. But where a metropolis slow but significant strides toward improv­ serving the citizens of the city. It is not in­ heart should be fertile and vibrant, it ap­ ing its downtown. None too soon. Both the tended as an economic developer," ex­ pears dormant and neglected. Ostensibly, Mapes and the Riverside hotel-casinos plains Rosenow. "It will have the benefit land pricing, congestion, traffic and urban have been vacant for more than a decade. of removing a blighted area and reclaim­ sprawl have taken their toll. The Holiday and Riverboat hotel-casinos ing the river." The project entails 351 ,500 In large part, public policy has decen­ joined their ranks last year. In total, six square feet of new and renovated space. tralized Nevada cities, leaving behind a casinos have closed during the past four The agency is investing $24.5 million in vacuum. Rather than a buoyant, healthy years. Even the Reno redevelopment tax increment funds, and private develop­ atmosphere, Nevada's downtown areas agency has been without a director for 14 ers are investing $59.5 million. The city run the gamut - from civic centers avoid­ months. "We've been getting a bad rap due entered into a master development agree­ ed by all but the bums, to commercial cen­ to a lot of smaller casino closings," says ment with DDR Oliver McMillan in 1997 ters that plagiarize suburban chain stores, Rosenow. Relief may be imminent. Re­ to implement the plan. or empty promenades that lead nowhere. cently, the Club Cal-Neva announced Of the original six-story Riverside In each instance, a myriad of local pro­ plans to reopen both the Riverboat and the hotel, 30,000 square feet have already jects has emerged to generate interest, re­ Virginian hotel-casinos. The Club Cal­ been knocked down. The $6.5 million build and renew. However, resurrecting a Neva has no hotel rooms. The Riverboat project will transform the structure into 35 slumping core area is no easy task. Las has two hotel towers with a total of 296 units of artist's lofts on the upper floors Vegas and North Las Vegas are partnering rooms, while the Virginian has 124 rooms. and commercial space at the ground level.

june 1999 • 'evada Business journal 35 DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT

The remaining space will be built out with restaurants and an art theater along the Truckee River. Also included as part of the Riverside Project is a plan to convert the Mapes hotel-casino into 88 timeshare suites with conference rooms on the top fl oor and a health club and retail space on the first fl oor. Named one of the most endangered historic buildings in the country, the Mapes has been closed since 1983. The $46.6 million project is currently in the feasibility stage. The redevelopment agency is spending $1 million to remove Artist's rendering of downtown Las Vegas ' Neonopolis attraction. asbestos and lead paint. "If this plan flops, the developer has permission to demolish Sierra and First streets. The 50,000- next 20 years. Despite this, fu nding is al­ the building and create retail stores," square-foot theater, slated for completion ways a concern. "Right now, we are look­ Rosenow says. "We have been through in September, will include five to six ing at legislation [SB 477] that would add this project many ti mes and seen many small commercial spaces for rent. The another 2 cents to the room tax in down­ different studies on it." Riverside Project is expected to return town Reno and 3 cents in Washoe County Construction is already underway on a $32.5 million in loan repayment, land pro­ to generate funds for a major capital pro­ $9.5 million, 12-screen Regal Cinemas at ceeds and tax and fee revenu e over the ject," says Rosenow.

frie ndly umbrella. This way no one group UPTOWN DOWNTOWN ARTOWN has to carry the fi nancial burden of a fes­ tival and everyone benefits from such a The Biggest Little Festival in the World localized, intense focus on the arts. There are two basic layers of support, according ptown Downtown ARTown is one The arts have always been strong in to Cra ig- the city as host and the half a of the largest visual and perform­ Reno but each group existed as an island dozen or so corporate sponsors that con­ Uing arts festivals in the country. unto itself. Even if it was possible to tribute funds. Other entities may offer in­ Really? Says who? Well, not just Karen bring the different organizations togeth­ dividual sponsorships or open their facil­ Craig, executive director of the program. er, would anyone come out to see them? ities up to artists for use. Though Craig is ARTown has been featured on Good Morn­ The answer to both questions was a re ­ quite happy with the event's success, she ing America, in the Sacramento Bee, the sounding yes. In 1996, ARTown's birth says she would like to see more large­ Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Ex­ year, the arts drew 3 0,000 attendees for scale corporate grants and is working on aminer, the Wall Street journal, USA the mostly local events. By 1998, that developing that sort of conversation with Today, and on and on . And let's not forget count was up to 71,000 in attendance for local companies. the more than 71,000 locals and tourists the month-long festival that featured 200 So if you find yourself in Reno from July who enjoyed the events last year. visual arts, performing arts and humani­ 1 through 31, bring your walking shoes, Five years ago, if one discovered an ty events, most of which were free or low­ or your clogs, or a pen and paper, a opera in Reno, it was cause to be im­ cost. The festival was produced by 48 sketchpad, a bookmark, and be prepared pressed. And a Philharmonic? A ballet not-for-profit and commercial arts orga­ to be swept away by the immense variety too? Some began to think it was time to nizations utilizing more than 48 different on exhibit at ARTown . So far, Craig has take this art thing a little more seriously. venues throughout the city during t he scheduled more than 200 individual Mark Curtis, Jr. did just that, combining month of July. That same year, the Na­ events at 49 locations all over town. his advertising background with his en­ tional Endowment for the Arts labeled There will be dance, food, history, cre­ joyment of the arts and love of the city_ ARTown "one of the most comprehensive ative writing, music, science exhibits, Today, he is considered the creative art festivals in the country." All this in the movies, storytelling, lasers and holo­ founder of the popular art festival. festival's third year. grams, painting, sculpting, theater, chil­ Craig says the community knew it To participate in the festival, individual dren's programs, interactive art and lots needed an event that people fe lt strong­ arts groups pay their own fees and design of education. • ly about- something to raise civic pride. their own programs all under ARTown's - Cindie Geddes

36 Nevada Business Journal • June 1999 LAS VEGAS EMPHASIZES O FFICE SPACE, RETAIL

unding played a critical role in the city of Las Vegas' decision to ter­ F minate the proposed $57 million Sun City Plaza. The city paid $6.7 million to acquire the two-acre site at Fourth Street and Lewis Avenue. Site prepara­ tions brought the total commitment to $7.1 million. "I don't believe there is an appetite on the part of the city to sweeten this deal," said Mayor Jan Jones. ''I'm a great believer in downtown redevelop­ ment, but government should not be in the business of throwing money at a project to make it happen." Developers Nevada State Bank and America Nevada Corporation said they needed more money to keep the 13-story, 283,000-square-foot building alive. The city council had already agreed to pur­ chase Nevada State Bank's current down­ town offices for as much as $4 million. When the developers asked the city to lease 32,000 square feet of Sun Plaza for five years, they refused. After two years of planning, the project was terminated in March. "There is a reason why people moved out of downtown in the first place," said Brian Greenspun, head of American Ktt'chell Contractors lays the foundation for Nevada Corp. and editor of the Las Vegas a job well done with precise construction Sun. "They've gotten very comfortable out in the suburbs. It will take a lot to en­ planning. Whether It's retail, Industrial, of­ tice people back to downtown. They need flee or healthcare, we make It our business to be excited to come back." Ultimately, only a third of the building to walk our walk up front. So any talking we was pre-leased. Nevada State Bank and do makes sense for you and your team. the Las Vegas Sun newspaper would have occupied much of that space. The building would have charged the highest Class A office rates in the Las Vegas Valley - be­ tween $2.30 and $2.60 per square foot. The exorbitant prices were deemed neces­ velopment projects. "The city needed an the three-level, 203,646-square-foot Neo­ sary to make the complex viable, but ten­ experienced partner using private sector nopolis. The city assisted in the land ac­ ants were unwilling to pay that much. The methodology and local market knowledge quisition and retains part ownership of the collapse of Sun Plaza leaves the city with to look at the long-term plan for down­ project's 680-space underground parking a $7. 1 million piece of vacant land. town and to help guide the allocation of garage. The developer is contributing $70 "It's a very strategic site and I think it limited resources," Forche said. Although million with the remaining amount com­ can be developed into a good project, pos­ Sun Plaza was envisioned as an important ing from the city. Slated to open in sibly a mid- or high-rise office building," catalyst to downtown redevelopment, city November 2000, Neonopolis will have a said Mike Forche. president of Cit_v Cen­ officials are hoping the $100 million Neo­ 3.000-seat. 11-screen theater com,plex. . six tre Development Corporation (CCDC) . n opolis entertainment center will revital­ food courts, five restaurants, 47 retail Created in 1997 as a non-profit organiza­ ize the matrix. shops, four major retail tenants and live tion, CCDC has an investment banker rela­ Patterned after the Cocowalk in performance areas. The project is expect­ tionship with the city, functioning as an Miami's Coconut Grove district, World ed to generate $560,000 annually in addi­ in-bouse consultant for downtown rede- Entertainment Enterprises is developing tional property taxes, $840,000 in annual

June 1999 • Nevada Business Journal r DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT

sales taxes, 500 permanent jobs and 400 construction jobs.

SUBURBAN AREAS WORK TO BUILD CITY CORES

as Vegas isn't the only Southern Nevada city with full-blown ef­ L forts at downtown rehabilitation underway. Named the fastest growing city in America, Henderson's downtown core has not enjoyed the explosive growth of the Green Valley master plan the city en­ compasses. As a result, city officials creat­ ed a downtown redevelopment district in 1995. The agency has since accumulated more than seven acres of property and completed several projects. To date, $10 million has been loaned for redevelop­ ment and land acquisition. "The next few years are critical for downtown Henderson in order to create an image of the type of place city planners en­ The failed $57 million Sun City Plaza office building has left downtown Las Vegas with an Continued on page 71 empty two-acre site on which it has spent $7.1 million to-date.

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38 Nevada Business Journal • June 1999 ever, the real industry embraces emerging technologies \ Buildin~Nevada Construction, Inc. Sponsored by: and Managing Contractors

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Inside This Issue "IMAGE is ~~r~naiop SPECIAL TO NBJ: Insight Holdings ~~~~ ~~~ The forum for Comtrwod R!Oi Esk* BN-3 Insight Holdings develops everything" opportunity BN-4 Insight Realty Associates provides hands-on approach We would have to agree. to local developers BN-6 Insight Development over­ With a name like ours sees all areas of commercial You know we understand. land development BN-8 Insight Architecture designs a diverse niche in Las Vegas BN-1 0 Downloading the American Dream 5070 S. Atville Street Phone: (702) 248-1181 BN-13 Pooling Your Resources Las Vegas, NV 89118 Fax: (702) 248-1141 BN-16 Home Sweet Log Home BN-19 Corporate Profile Harris Consulting Engineers BN-21 Building Nevada Briefs BN-23 Commercial Real Estate: Office Market Summary Las Vegas Reno Cover: Insight Aircenter Sunset at 3068 East Sunset Road, was recently honored (702) 255-81 00 (775) 857-3330 by the National Association of Industrial • (702) 255-8375 fax (775) 857-2089 & Office Properties as the 1999 Spotlight Award winner for the category of large­ • scale flex product. The project was de­ veloped by Insight Development, de­ signed by JMA Architecture Studios and built by Martin-Harris Construction. ~BUSINESS ~jOURNAL SUPPLEMENT CEO I President I Publisher STEPHEN M.J. BROCK Associllte Publisher LYLE E. BRENNAN Editor jENNIFER ROBISON REPRINTS AVAILABLE 260 I North Tenaya Way 1200 Financial Boulevard, Suite I0 I Nevada Business Journal Las Vegas, Nevada 89 128 Reno, Nevada 89502 2127 Paradise Rd. [email protected] [email protected] Las Vegas, NV 89104 702-735-7003

BN-2 Nevada Business journal • june 1999 Insight Holdings develops opportunity

as Vegas native Jim Zeiter formed the foun­ al and charitable organizations, including UNLV dation for Insight Holdings in 1996. "I placed Foundation and the Las Vegas Art Museum. Lcapital in several land positions and wanted Insight's capabilities can be illustrated from its lat­ to diversify my investors interests as well as my est transaction. Insight recently facilitated the sale own in the most efficient and profitable way pos­ of 106 acres from a large private out-of-state owner sible," Zeiter said. and their partner, a longtime Las Vegan. Through its Three years later, Zeiter said Insight Holdings is architecture division, the site was designed for 1,200 now approaching that goal. housing units, 250,000 square feet of business park Today, Zeiter, the sole member and managing facilities, and 10 acres of C-2 commercial. partner of Insight Holdings, is a principal of three A portion of the property was sold to the coun­ independently operated but related businesses: try's third largest publicly traded housing develop­ Insight Architecture, Insight Development and ment company, and the remaining parcel was sold Insight Realty Associates. All four companies to existing clients of Insight who were in the are housed under one roof at Insight Aircenter process of a 1031 and 1033 Tax Deferred Exchange. Sunset, providing the opportunities Zeiter con­ "Our diverse structure and our ability to man­ tinues to look for. age assets from land acquisitions through the de­ "We are an operating company. We can offer our velopment cycle creates the opportunities for clients several independent services, which include growth," Zeiter said. land management and brokerage, property man­ "Insight Holdings currently manages 30 different agement and leasing, development services, archi­ limited liability companies. Zeiter expects that tectural design, and most importantly, a return on number to grow in the future. Along with their ex­ equity, n he said. isting client base, Zeiter looks forward to continu­ However, Zeiter said, it is the combination of all ing to work with more international investors and the Insight companies that provides investors, with more institutional investors, such as pension whether individuals or institutions, an operation funds and Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs. they can trust to manage their investment dollar. As Insight Holdings grows, so does the demand The Las Vegas-based company started with three from its personnel. Their efforts never stop in people and now employs a well-educated staff of providing each client with reliable information 19, with a wide range of expertise. They include and a quality product. three executives with master's degrees in account­ "In order for our operation to continue to grow, ing, finance and business, as well as architects, real we need to focus on service and returns," Zeiter ex­ estate experts and other professionals. Insight ben­ plained. "This is just the beginning for our group, efits from its knowledge of the Southern Nevada and the future is up to us." • market, with eight of its 19 employees having de­ grees from UNLV. That includes Zeiter, a 1987 grad­ Above: Jim Zeiter, principal of Insight Holdings, is pic­ uate of UNLV, remains active with local profession- tured in his office during a busy work day.

june 1999 . Nevada Business journal 8.\-_ Insight Realty Associates provides hands-on approach to local developers

evelopers in today's booming commercial real offers leasing services, including owner and tenant estate market seeking a commercial real estate representation, market studies and development Dcompany to handle their ~easing and property and construction coordination. management activities can avoid looking in the Insight Realty's leasing specialists have easy ac­ phone book and go directly to Insight Realty Associ­ cess to ilie Las Vegas real estate market. Specialized ates. Since emerging onto the real estate scene in information such as data on market rates, lease June 1998, Insight Realty has provided clients with temlS, vacancy rates, absorption studies, employ­ professional leasing and property management. ment statistics and building costs is vital to develop­ The company has approximately 653,470 square ers, investors and tenants. Providing them with this feet of property under its management, including of­ knowledge allows them to make informed decisions fice, industrial and retail space at Aircenter Sunset, about conunercial real estate. Spring Mountain Office Park, Blackstone Station, Insight Realty, located at 3068 East Sunset Road, Sien·a Town Center, Decatm- Shopping Center, The maintains a working affiliation witll the other In­ Fountains and Galleria Corporate Centre. Soon to sight companies. This provides clients with individ­ open is the Aircenter South project. This project is a ualized services or complete one-stop shopping. continuance of the office and industrial develop­ "Our tean1 at Insight Realty has been successful in ments Insight Architectm-e and Insight Development evaluating conm1ercial real estate property to reflect have constructed. This is just the beginning of the the rapidly growing Las Vegas real estate market," many new projects and developments Insight Realty said Landry, who has more than 20 years' experience Associates will be leasing and managing. in commercial management, leasing and marketing. "Since we opened for business, Insight Realty has Within Insight Realty, Diana Bousquet maintains earned a solid reputation for providing a local the position as senior property manager. Diana has hands-on approach to sales, leasing and manage­ been with Insight Realty since the beginning and ment services," said Marge Landry, broker/partner now manages over half a million square feet of of Insight Realty Associates. A nun1ber of property management services are available to Insight Realty clients, including general Above: Ma1 -ge Landry, brokerlpm·tner of Insight Realty financial management, lease administration, tenant Associates (left), shows tenant Te1·esa Siebert, office/ relations, project inspections, monthly repmts, ten­ compliance administrator j oT Global Payment Tech­ ant improvements and space planning. The firn1 also nologies, Inc., phase II of Insight A i1·cente1· Sunset.

BN-4 Nevada Business j ourn al • june 1999 commercial space. Brian Riffel, a marketing 30 years of combined real estate experience ing and development, and I enjoyed it specialist, is pursuing land acquisitions as and a comprehensive knowledge of the tremendously," she said. "The tinling was well as providing tenant relations for leas­ local market. right for me to partner with Jin1 Zeiter and ing and property purchases. Landly said she partnered with Jim get back into that type of scenario." "The benefits of Insight Realty versus Zeiter to fom1 a full-service real estate com­ Since fomling Insight Realty, Landly's other leasing and property management pany focusing on serving local clients. Her tean1 of professionals has become active in firms in Las Vegas are the time and money­ career in real estate began in her home the conmlUnity and involved in such indus­ saving measures associated with having a state of Texas. She then went on to work in try groups as the National Association of In­ development, architecture, and leasing the Phoenix and San Diego markets. After dustrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), In­ company under one roof," Landly said. relocating to Las Vegas just over 11 years ternational Council of Shopping Centers "From the moment clients walk in the door, ago, Landly built a solid reputation as a (ICSC) and the Commercial Real Estate I can show them the land, I can offer them leader in her field. Women-Silver State (CREW). In addition, the architects to design the space and I can "I formed Insight Realty Associates be­ Landly is the 1999 president-elect of the provide the construction costs to configure cause it provided me the opportunity to be Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors­ a conceptual bid for the property." a business owner," Landry said. "It also en­ Commercial Investn1ent Division. According to Landly, clients who choose abled me to continue the leasing and prop­ The goal for Insight Realty Associates is to work with the entire Insight team of pro­ erty management side of conm1ercial real to build long-tenn relationships by provid­ fessionals can have a complete land pack­ estate, along with property development." ing quality real estate services, and contin­ age, including build-out design, construc­ According to Landly, she had been look­ uing to provide the opportunity for suc­ tion costs and final lease docun1ents in as ing for the oppmtunity to be a part of a full­ cess in their client's marketplace. Insight few as five business days. service real estate company since 1990. Realty Associates is quickly establishing Landly, together with her partner, Jim "In the late 1980s, I worked for a compa­ themselves as a "complete resource" in the Zeiter of Insight Holdings, have more than ny that handled property management, leas- real estate industry. •

June 1999 • Nevada Business Journal BN·5 Insight Development oversees all areas ol commercial land development

s Southern Nevada grows into the millenni­ "One-stop shopping enables our company to ei­ um with new industrial and residential devel­ ther work on projects independently or as a whole Aopment , consumers are experiencing an in­ team," Thntland said. ''The advantage to that is the creasing range of land develop~ent and investment ability to make decisions faster for our clients." opportunities. Choosing the most profitable invest­ What used to take coordinated meetings with team ment opportunity can often become clear with the members can now be accomplished within minutes, help of a full-service development company. and with better overall resources." Insight Development, a leading development Insight Development has developed and is cur­ company in Southern Nevada, utilizes its expertise rently working on two large-scale professional of­ in all facets of the land investment industry to help fice/industrial parks. The first, Insight Aircenter clients make tough choices in today's booming real Sunset, was recently honored by the National Asso­ estate market. ciation of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) Specializing in initial site selection, project finan­ as the 1999 Spotlight Award winner for the category cial feasibility, zoning, design, management, leasing of large-scale flex product. The award recognizes and property management, Insight Development the project's site plan, product mix, architecture and can blend these diverse skills to offer full-service overall aesthetic quality. support, working with clients on any or all particu­ The 13.5-acre Aircenter Sunset, located on Sunset lar aspects of a project. Road just east of McLeod Drive, adjacent to McCar­ "Insight Development was formed in 1996 with ran International Airport, is nearing completion of the original intent of diversifying our portfolio. We phase two, available for occupancy in June 1999. wanted to convert some of our land investments Phase one was completed in March 1998. into income-producing assets," said Insight Devel­ When complete, Insight Aircenter Sunset will opment's Managing Partner Ray Thntland. "But its consist of more than 150,000 square feet of space success has grown to include the ability to oversee and two commercial pads. The property is fully all areas of commercial land development." landscaped and offers easy access to Interstate 15 Insight Development joins Insight Holdings, In­ and Interstate 215. sight Realty Associates and Insight Architecture at Phase one consists of 28,000-square-foot build- their corporate offices within Insight Aircenter Sun­ set. Together the companies can provide consumers Above: Insight Development Managing Pa1·tner Ray with all-inclusive service, from design and develop­ Tuntland visi ts the constntction site of current ment to property leasing and management. project Insight Ai1·center Sunset phase II.

BN-6 Nevada Business journal • june 1999 ings and an additional 32,000 square feet Aircenter South was designed by Insight Southern Nevada waiting to be developed. consisting of nine 3,648-square-foot dock­ Architecture and is being leased and man­ The conm1erciallindustrial development high, grade-level units for small distribution aged by Insight Realty Associates. opportunities in Las Vegas are no longer a operations. Also part of the first phase are In addition to Insight Aircenter Sunset secret and with that comes decreased profit seven freestanding buildings ranging in size and Aircenter South, Insight Development margins and much higher levels of competi­ from 3,900 to 5,100 square feet. Phase one is is focusing on build-to-suits, the develop­ tion. This new notoriety has also impacted currently being leased and managed by In­ ment of operating assets for landowners the tenant environment. The influence from sight Realty Associates. and future land acquisitions for projects. the arrival of many more regional to inter­ 1\vo and three duplicate the first phase "One of the things that distinguishes national companies has raised the overall grade-level product, and will consist of two Insight Development from other develop­ expectation level. "We are now actively additional28,000-square-foot buildings. ment companies is our ability to raise equi­ competing against other markets, not just Insight Development is also working to­ ty and acquire financing for our clients oilier buildings," says Tuntland. "We have ward completion on Aircenter South. Phase when it is beneficial," Tuntland said. "We the opportunity to provide products to a one is slated for completion June 1999. are very finance-orientated, dedicating ma­ market that is more sophisticated and better A venture between Insight Holdings and jority amounts of time and resources to pro­ able to make rapid well-informed decisions, Big Sky Development, Aircenter South is jecting and performance analysis." fittingly, the same abilities our company located adjacent to the Hughes Airport Cen­ Insight Development is a member of the strives to ensure. n ter. Phase one consists of an 80,000-square­ National Association of Industrial and Of­ Insight Development has already intro­ foot, dock-high building and a 20,000- fice Properties (NAIOP) and the Southern duced seven different product types in their square-foot, grade-level facility. Additional­ Nevada Association of Home Builders. first two projects. So as Southern Nevada ly, a 21,000-square-foot, build-to-suit build­ Additional projects are in the works for grows into the millennium, look for Insight ing for GeoTek is planned. Insight Development, and according to Development to maintain a common theme Second phase for Aircenter South can ac­ Tuntland, a native Nevadan who graduated of high quality and flexibility for commer­ commodate an additional90,000 square feet from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, cial users and productive opportunities for of fm~lease or build-to-suit buildings. there are still plenty of key locations in the investment conm1unity. •

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june 1999 • Nevada Business journal BN-7 Insight Architecture designs a diverse niche lor itself in Las Vegas

cott Baker and Steven Zemski of Insight Ar­ results of this project very rewarding," Zemski said. chitecture have worked on many projects, "It gives us a chance to help the community," Sfrom custom homes to high rise condomini­ Baker said. Construction is scheduled to start by the ums. And thanks to their unique business affiliation middle of 1999. By the time Shade Tree breaks with Insight Holdings, they also work on a wide ground, the first phase of construction for Aircenter range of projects, developing a niche for themselves South will have been completed. Aircenter South is designing professional and industrial office build­ the first business park development Baker and Zem­ ings in Southern Nevada ski created in cof\iunction with Insight Holdings. That freedom is one of many benefits the two Baker and Zemski both credit the finns they have longtime Las Vegans ef\ioy as partners in Insight Ar­ worked at for the knowledge and experience they chitecture. Baker and Zemski, who met while work­ have gained. "We learned from some of the best finns ing for JMA Architecture Studios, said they found a in the region, and can now bring this knowledge to way to combine their talents and expand their busi­ Insight Architecture," said Baker. ness opportunities by developing a unique partner­ Construction will have also begun on the Pama In­ ship with each other and with Las Vegas-based In­ dustrial Park, an Insight Architecture project de­ sight Holdings. Insight Architecture has assembled a signed for small businesses that need office and first-class team with draftsman J.D. Boteler as a key warehouse space in the southeast part of Las Vegas. part of the growing 10-member team, which also in­ The industrial park will offer about 39,000 square cludes the accountants, partners and support staff feet, with the average office size being just less than the architects share with other Insight companies. 1,500 square feet. Baker and Zemski work on structures as diverse Independent from Holdings, Insight Architecture as industrial parks to the Shade Tree shelter for also designed a medical office building in Hender­ women and children. Shade Tree recently selected son for Westar Properties. The single-story complex the firm to complete its new 35,000-square-foot near Pecos and Robindale Roads is built around a Las Vegas shelter and headquarters building. common courtyard entrance connecting two build­ Baker and Zemski are handling design, construc­ ings of 9,800 square feet each, for a total of 19,600 tion documents and code compliance and con­ square feet Construction is just getting started on struction administration for the organization's new three-story building at Owens Avenue and Above: Insight Architecture Managing Pa1·tner and Main Street, north of downtown Las Vegas. "To Architect Scott Baker, AlA, (left) joins Pm·tner Steven create a building for this organization makes the Zmnski as they review a set of plans.

BN-8 Nevada Business journal • june 1999 the project, which will also feature substan­ tiallandscape around the property. This unique arrangement allows Insight Architecture to offer personal, hands-on service to its clients. Zemski offers another example of his firm's creativity and hands-on attitude. Due to its size, he said, "We create and manage the majority of the drawings ourselves." "We're small enough that we can give Aircenter South Building 7 offers ea.sy access to both I-15 and I-215.

personal attention to all our projects," This single-story Baker explained. "But we're large enough medJical. office building to have the knowledge our clients need." Another unique area of expertise for the in Henderson was firm is Baker's background on local zoning designed by Insigh't issues. He specializes in assembling zoning Architectu-re for Westa-r packages, from drawings to documenta­ Properties. The complex tion, then guicling the project through local is built arou·nd a com­ governmental departments and boards. mon cou-rtyard ent·rance At Insight Architecture, the mission is to connecting two build­ provide a professional service that exceeds ings of 9,800 squa-re feet the client's expectations. Insight will con­ each, fo-r a totdl of tinue to build relationships with their clients by earning their respect and trust by establishing the highest standards of per­ formance and quality in the industry. •

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June 1999 • Nevada Business )olll'll21 B.'i-9 The business of buying and selling homes relies more than ever on embracing emerging technologies

hen Robert Sadler and his wife Vegas Association of Realtors (GLVAR). "I through the Internet and download a com­ were recently seeking a second thirJk it's a cultural thing. Many of today's plimentary relocation package we used to horne, they identified a house in residential consumers already have the send through the mail. It's a customer-dri­ Florida - via the Internet - that tools to do research and find the informa­ ven program. My agents need to keep up piqued their interest. But when they con­ tion they want on the Internet. That means with the technology to stay competitive. If tacted a Realtor in the Sunshine State and Realtors will have to get up to speed and the consumer knows more than you do, " asked for information about the horne, offer the most advanced technology avail­ you will be replaced," she cautioned. things started to slow way, way down. "I able. Customers are demanding it. " According to Leal, once the Web page asked him to e-mail me some more infor­ Desiree Leal, a broker and manager was created, it didn't take long for agents mation, and he said he didn't have e-mail," of Century 21 Consolidated in Las Vegas, in her office to see how they needed e-mail recalled Sadler, who heads the Reno/ said her company created a Web page 11 and Internet knowledge. "All our agents Sparks Association of Realtors (RSAR). months ago and it paid for itself within a have e-mail and all our communication is "Then I asked him to fax it. When he said few weeks. "The Internet is a big source of now done electronically. Agents have to he didn't have fax capabilities, I said 'good­ our business," she noted. "We've been have it and use it," Leal noted. "They saw bye' and found someone else." amazed. Much of our business used to orig­ the benefits of the technology and the Such stories are repeated more often inate from the Yellow Pages, but probably move actually carne from the ground up. " these days as consumers become more 50 percent now comes from the Internet, Century 21 provides a "Customized Mar­ demanding and the world of buying and and it gets better every week," Leal said. keting System" agents can download to selling real estate grows more high-tech. "We have a Web master who monitors help them do their jobs. Other programs "It's definitely happening," declared Greg the page daily. Consumers can surf for in­ assist in tracking clients and client needs. Bailey, the information and technology formation about properties through the Others give quick access to almost every "czar" for the 5,300-mernber Greater Las Multiple Listing Service (MI.S), contact us type of information that may be required.

BN· IO Nevada Business journal • June 1999 HIGH TECH REAL ESTATE Market Reports at Your FinQer Tips continued from previous page . Colliers International launches Web-enabled Like its counterpart in Las Vegas, the -~ commercial real estate database RSAR offers many classes for members. "More people could take them," he said. "But you don't sell too many properties on the Internet. And people tend to see time sitting behind a computer as time away ne can never predict when from selling properties. So I tell them to inspiration will strike. For budget their time. Some have even hired OJim Stuart, broker/owner of assistants to be in charge of the Internet Colliers International in Las and make that side run smoothly." Vegas, it happened when he was While Sadler and Bailey tout the bene­ ordering pizza for his family. fits of technology for Realtors, perhaps the Based on Stuart's phone number, best testimonies come from the sales which appeared through a fonn agents themselves. Fred McElroy, a sales of caller identification, the pizza agent with REIMAX Realty Professionals in parlor provided him with detailed Reno, is up to speed on all the latest tech­ infonnation about the last order nology. He even serves on national com­ his wife placed, and quickly deliv­ mittees dealing with the Internet. He also ered the same product again. has a computer-savvy assistant. ~ I've been Colliers International wants to working with the Internet for four years bring the same infonnational sim­ and I couldn't imagine things without it," plicity and convenient customer he said. "This technology has made me service to commercial real estate. much more efficient. So efficient, in fact, Through the brokerage's new that I can do a lot of my work from my 27- Web-enabled database, accessible foot Catalina sailboat on Lake Tahoe. With at lvcoUiers.com, expansive infor­ my cell phone, as long as waves aren't mation regarding Southern Neva­ breaking over the bow, people don't know da's commercial real estate mar­ where I am." ket is available to all. ages can make good use of the Colliers In­ McElroy's had an assistant for five "We can offer visitors anywhere on the ternational database, which offers compre­ years. His current aid is a "computer geek" planet market infonnation on their terms - hensive quarterly numbers within two who not only puts up signs and lock boxes, within their time frame · and meeting their weeks of a quarter's close. on-Colliers but conducts Internet-based market stud­ criteria," Stuart explained. "Real estate in­ agents can receive updates on Colliers' ies for him. "If I've done my homework, fonnation has not always been convenient­ property listing infonnation according to I probably won't have to show a customer ly available, particularly after 5:00 p.m. client preferences, rather than hunting more than four or five houses," said Rather than relying on human interference down brokers to acquire facts and figures. McElroy, who earned his certified resi­ to provide data, we've developed an appli­ "We'll also use the database as an electron­ dential specialist (CRS) designation last cation that allows access at all times." ic distribution platfonn," Stuart stated. "We year. "Realtors who don't get on the train Colliers International custom-designed can electronically distribute property up­ will be left at the station," he warned. "In its new database around an Oracle plat­ dates to everyone in the business, complete fact, the train pulled out awhile back. I fornl, rather than using "shrink wrap soft­ with detailed infonnation - even floor work with people who are pretty sophisti­ ware such as Excel or Access," according plans and photos." cated. I have to know more than my clients to Stuart. Thus, unlike many commercial The system, now in use in five western do or they may not need me. market tracking methods before it, the sys­ cities besides Las Vegas, has come at a "I'm serious about this because it's how tem is specifically designed and developed hefty price - $500,000, according to Stuart. I make my living," McElroy added. "I take to handle commercial real estate data pa­ But he believes a greater price may accom­ pride in staying on the cutting edge. It's not rameters. That has yielded a "relational pany forgoing such an investment: "This is a part-time thing. Sure, I've invested sever­ database" enabling consumers to "com­ a complete new world order for broker­ al thousand dollars on a top-end computer pare and contrast numerous variables ages. Firms unwilling to make capital in­ and spent hundreds of dollars on pro­ against wide assumptions and with vestments in overhauling client connec­ grams. But, you know, with the infonna­ tremendous flexibility," Stuart remarked. tions and infonnation distribution will find tion those things can get you, they pay for Even sales associates with other broker- themselves out of business," he said. • themselves in no time. And they've made my life simpler." •

BN- 12 Nevada Business Journal • June 1999 The pool at left w as desi gned and bui lt by Green Valley Pools.

you'll put it back together will you stucco and paint it, too? Scherr points out these rare but real risks of building a pool as he walks the homeowner through the project. "If homeowners can understand what it takes to build a pool," says Scherr, "then all of a sudden it's a lot easier for them." By understanding the pool-building process, consumers will stay calm during breaks in the action. Many homeowners panic when a contractor and his subcon­ tractors disappear for a day or two, but ence may not meet your needs, or he may every word that slips out of a pool con­ this usually isn't a sign the contractor has assume you're unable to afford a more ex­ tractor's mouth. A contractor or subcon­ fled south of the border. Rain or wind may pensive option when in reality that option tractor might say, "We'll be out tomorrow prevent contractors from pouring concrete is the perfect choice for your lifestyle. to shotcrete," a term that means laying or plastering the pool. If the weather pre­ pressure-applied concrete. Instead of nod­ vents a subcontractor from perfornling his PERSONALIZING YOUR EXPERIENCE ding your head, suggests Vetter, ask the job at one house, his next day's work may meaning of the word. also be delayed. "If, going into the process, ractical issues aside, consumers should "The biggest issue in making the experi­ homeowners have an understanding of Pdevelop a more personal relationship ence fun is making sure that we establish how weather affects our operations," says with their pool contractor in order to max­ the proper expectations up front," says Vetter, "I believe they'll have a much more irrllze the process, explains Mark Nichols, Vetter. AB the contractor walks the home­ pleasant experience." executive director of the Southern Nevada owner through the process, the homeown­ Vetter also recommends identifying the Chapter of the National Spa and Pool Insti­ er should take notes. In turn, the contrac­ key players in the project. Who's going to be tute (NSPI). Select a contractor with whom tor should clarify everything in a written, on site besides the contractors? Who is you're comfortable enough to share your detailed proposal. "If there's one word," scheduling the work? Is that the same per­ lifestyle so that he can build a pool that will says Dennis Hayward, owner of Tropic Isle son who will be on property or is that some­ better meet your needs. Pools and president of the Southern Neva­ body else? Who's responsible for the overall "Let the contractor know whether da chapter of NSPI, "it's communication." construction? Get those names and phone you're planning to use it for exercise, play, Communication also means knowing numbers so you'll know who to talk to for or just for show," says Nichols. "If prospec­ what to expect. To prepare his customers, each specific question. And hand over your tive owners say they're going to use it for Vetter tells people it will look as if a bomb work, cell phone and pager numbers. exercise, and it's clear they are not in good exploded in their backyard. Hayward esti­ Due to the risk of knocking dirt into the physical condition, the pool contractor mates there are approxin1ately 18 different ditch or breaking a pipe, homeowners may explore with them -whether they're phases of building a swimming pool. From should stay away from their backyard as going to utilize it for that purpose." time to tin1e, he'll tell homeowners to keep much as possible during construction. But By developing this personal relation­ their blinds closed and don't look out back this doesn't mean avoiding the area com­ ship, consumers should feel comfortable no matter what. "There are a lot of differ­ pletely. Exanline the work, and if you no­ with honestly revealing how much time ent people that will be coming in and out tice something amiss in the pool's layout, they will spend caring for the pool. They of the yard," says Hayward. "It's major con­ take action inlmediately. "If you're not sure should avoid giving the contractor a wa­ struction. Probably the best thing you can of something or if you see something that tered-down version of the truth, explains do is realize it's going to be a god-awful shouldn't be there please call, because Kirk Vetter, general manager of Anthony & mess and just have patience." pool contractors do sometimes make mis­ Sylvan Pools and Tango Pools in Las Knowing what to expect also means· clar­ takes," says Scheu. "We'll come right out Vegas, so that the pool builder can assist ifying with the pool contractor exactly there and take a look at it." them in choosing a device that will reduce what expenses the homeowner will pay. For those potential pool owners who their maintenance time. During the process, heavy equipment rolls cringe at the sight of a backyard that looks During these initial conversations with over the driveway. In order to move that like a war zone, Dennis Hayward, in jest, the contractor, he or she should walk you equipment into the yard, the contractor may have the best advice: "The best thing through the project from the street into the must tear down any wall sunounding the to do is have a good sense of humor. And backyard, painting a picture of the pool­ property. The lawn is ripped apart and go to the Virgin Islands for a month." building scenario. AB this is happening and pipes sometimes break. Homeowners must When the homeowner returns, he'll throughout construction, homeowners ask: if you tear the wall down will you re­ have his own slice of paradise waiting in should make certain they understand construct it when finished? When you say his backyard. •

BN- 14 Nevada Business journal • June 1999 NEVADA'S only statewide OF 60,000 READERS PER MONTH: CALL TODAY for advertising business magazine, Nevada • 70% are top or middle rates, editorial planning calen­ management dar, subscription information, or Business Journal delivers • 48% are owners or partners • so% of their businesses gross Internet marketing opportunities. your advertising message to more than $1,ooo,ooo • Two-thirds control major PHONE: 702-735-7003 an influential, affluent cross office equipment purchases FAX: 702-733-5953 • 42% earn average individual in­ section of business leaders. comes exceeding $1oo,ooo WWW.N EVADABUSI N ESS.COM Nevada Builders and Realtors Capitalize on Popular Pine and Cedar Palaces By Kim Pryor mountain retreat is a log home crafted from the fast pace·ofthe world. The owners find honey-colored pine. Like many who spend the contrast charming." time logging on to the Internet, Nesbitt Annually, about 6 percent of all custom finds just as many rewards waiting for him homes built in-the United States ru:e.. con­ in hls home built of logs. structed with logs. Only 1 to 2 percent of Lake Tahoe. A partner in an investment "A lot of people building log homes

June 1999 . Nevada Business journal B~ l - LOG HOMES

Tahoe City, Calif., soon plans to apply for land in Nevada and the misunderstanding the first time in 20 years, Mike Carnell is fac­ his Nevada license. that the homes can be built for less than ing strong competition from kit manufactur­ Although building a custom log horne $50 a square foot, he talks to 100 prospec­ ers and the growing number of national log becomes more complicated than building tive buyers before making a sale. horne companies that have the crews to a conventional house, the design work When Paul Chesloff of Incline Village build large numbers of handcrafted, custom becomes simpler. "An incredible amount first became a dealer for Century Cedar, the homes. "We're trying to bring down our of craftsmanship goes into a log horne low percentage of contacts who actually costs as best we can while material prices so it's nice to take advantage of that and bought a horne frustrated hin1. His venture are soaring out of sight," says Carnell. By make it a feature in your designs," says with Century Cedar is a full-time retirement designing simpler homes, Carnell is trying architect Guzzi. "The main thing is to hobby, and he admits he could never make to keep ·his price at $135 per square foot for take advantage of all the character and a living at the time-intensive project. Daily, a standard, custom log home. He's streanl­ warmth of the logs and not try to cover he sorts through piles of leads, mails infor­ lining the homes "to get a lot of house out of them up with other things. The logs them­ mation packets that cost $6 a piece and a little bit of construction." selves give you the character." makes follow-up phone calls. Though much disagreement exists "What I've learned over the years is to between the dealers of manufactured FINDING THE separate the serious prospect from the log home kits and those involved in the SERIOUS BUYER not-so-serious prospect," says Chesloff. custom log horne industry, they do agree "One way I do it is by the questions they're on one point: log homes are in a class n contradiction to the overall increas­ asking. Do they own a horne? Are they by themselves. "Standard homes are all I ing popularity of log homes, some of going to be selling a home? Because if over the place," says Chesloff. "You could Nevada's kit and package dealers are find­ they're going to be selling a home they're drive by 1,000 homes and they're just ing the homes a hard sell. Don Winter is a going to have a lot of equity." homes. But when you see a log home Las Vegas realtor who sells log horne pack­ The log horne consumer isn't the only as­ it's an unusual and beautiful sight. It's ages through his company, Winterwood pect of the business that is changing; the in­ an original kind of horne that exudes an Log Homes. Because of the high cost of dustry itself is enduring new challenges. For original kind of feeling. " •

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BN-18 Nevada Business Journal . June 1999 Buildin~ Nevada CORPORATE PROFILE Harris Consulti ng Engineers Local base, experience give firm competitive edge

"A successful project for us is when a building vestigation and budgeting, electrical lighting and "We started out with occupant is not even aware that our systems power distribution design, electrical systems stud­ exist," says Tom Harris of Harris Consulting Engi­ ies and analysis, heating, ventilation and air condi­ seven people, and neers. ''The air conditioning works, the lights work, tioning (HVAC) systems design and plumbing design. now have a staff of the plumbing works and that resident is happy. He In most cases, according to Harris, the engineer or she may have no idea how much time and effort works for an architect, but he may also work di­ 34, including 10 went into designing the building's systems, but rectly with an owner, contractor or subcontractor that's fine with us. We don't mind being a quiet com­ to design the plumbing, HVAC and electrical plans engineers and eight pany." Harris offers a broad range of professional for a project. After the designs are completed, the designers. When we engineering services, including preliminary site in- engineer usually assists in field observation. "We are called upon to be the owner's eyes and ears," look back at our orig· explains Harris. "We approve equipment submittals and visit the site on a regular basis to make sure the inal goals, we feel plans are being followed." fortunate to have Chairman of the board, Floyd T. Harris, Jr., P.E., is a principal mechanical engineer with 39 years of done so well experience. Although he holds licenses in eight states and is still actively involved in the company, over the last he has delegated day-to-day responsibility to his 15 years." son, Tom, president of Harris Consulting Engi­ neers. Tom Harris, P.E. is a principal electrical engi­

-TOM HARRIS neer with 19 years of experience in electrical sys­

PRESIDENT tems design and construction. He holds licenses in seven states and is a member of seven prominent

CONSULTING organizations. His brother, Randy Harris, P.E. is a mechanical engineer for the company. Harris Consulting Engineers was founded in Las Vegas in 1983 and has grown along with the com­ munity ever since. "We started out with seven peo­ ple, doing whatever we could to keep the doors open," says Tom Harris. "When we look back now on our original goals for the company- mainly to es­ tablish a presence and survive- we feel fortunate to have done so well over the last 15 years." Among its first projects were a remodel of McCarran Interna­ tional Airport and engineering services for the ex­ pansions at the Hacienda and Sahara Hotels. It also participated in work on a parallel taxiway, housing and dining facilities at Nellis Air Force Base. Its engineering team is now 34 members strong, including 10 engineers and eight designers. 1998 gross billings exceeded $3 million on a total of 279 projects. The company has completed more than 2,000 projects in the last 15 years, with the majori-

june 1999 • Nevada Business journal BN· l9 HARRIS CONSULTING ENGINEERS

ty of business corning from repeat clients or client referTals. Hanis recently complet­ ed design work for the 2.5 million-square­ foot parking garage at McCan·an. It also completed designs for a 500,000-square­ foot, 3,600-bed, medium-security men's prison being built in Indian Springs. The $40 million All Amelican SportPark at Las Vegas Boulevard and Sunset Road present­ ed an unusual, one-of-a-kind project for HarTis, with interior spaces modeled after fan1ous sports venues. In addition, Har1is designed a 67,000-squar·e-foot, 90-bed nurs­ Knowledgeable. ing home facility, and worked on projects at The Crossings at Sununerlin and at the American Nevada Corp. site at Green Val­ A We Can Do Banker is. Is yours? ley and Lake Mead. The company also pro­ vided engineering services for Canyon Colonial Bank h e lps you grow your Ridge Church and Shadow Hills Baptist business b y getting to know your Church in the northwest part of town. business. Our We Can Do Bankers a re Clar·k County School District represents versed in a variety of industries as well as another substantial client for Harris Con­ LAs VEGAS OFFICES sulting Engineers. HarTis may work on as Lake Mead Office local. n ational and international markets. many as 30 to 35 projects for the Clark (702) 254-3147 Let a flexible, decisive and committed Sunset Office County School District at one tin1e. The We Can Do Banker put that knowledge to (702) 435-9902 firm recently provided the HVAC and West Charleston Office (702) 258-9990 work for you. plumbing design for 25 new elementary schools in Clar·k County. Altlwugh the RENo OFFICES Call or stop by your local Colonial Bank schools were all designed to fit a prototype Fallon-Downtown Office office and tell us what We Can Do for you. (775) 423-7081 model, the school district has yet to build McCarran Landing Office any two exactly the same, according to (775) 823-7440 1 Park Lane Office /f)eC~1Jo Tom HarTis. Building mientation may be (775) 827-7200 (( ~-~ different because of the location of power, Prater/McCarran Office water and sewer lines. In addition, the (775) 355-6100 . COLO~ BANK SM school district or architectural firm may decide on minor changes for a particular· W\\ ~uco l onial ballk. co m school affecting the engineering design. COMMERCIAL BANKING · INTERi\:ATIONAI. BANKii\:G · PRIVATE BAi\:KING · ASSET MANAGEMENT Harris is also involved in a number of retrofits at existing school buildings. The last few years have seen an influx of THE CENTER FOR BUSINESS large, national engineering firms to South­ AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH ern Nevada, drawn by the phenomenal UNLV growth rate and abundance of large build­ UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA lAS VEGAS Director, R. Keith Schwer, Ph.D ing projects. But Harris Engineers' local THE SOUTHERN NEVADA THE LAs VEGAS METROPOLITAN Hous­ expelience, combined with its proven rep­ BUSINESS DIRECTORY, 1998 ING MARKET CONDITIONS REPORT utation for quality, will enable it to com­ Contains current information on residential fin ance, Provides information on ftrm s located in pete with larger firms, according to Tom Sourhern Nevada. Businesses are lisred by an assessment of rhe apartment marker, Harris. "Our ability to estimate our fees re­ Standard Industrial Classification. as well as indicarors of fu rure growth. alistically, based on our knowledge of the Price: $35 Annual Subscription: $20 local market, is also very important," he plm $5 for shipping and handling plus $3 for shipping and handling (HOUSING ~t.\RKET DATA .WAILABLE FROM 1985 TO PRESE~T) states. "Looking ahead, if the next 15 year·s THE CENTER FOR BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH , U NIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAs VEGAS are anything like the first 15, we expect to 4505 MARYLAI'ID PKWY, Box 456002 • LAs VEGAS, NV 89154-6002 • (702) 895-3191 • FAX (702) 895-3606 be very, very busy." •

BN·20 Nevada Business Journal • June 1999 BUILDING AIRCENTER SOUTH FOR SALE OR LEASE

Dermody to build custom facility for Alcon ermody Properties is building a cus­ tom facility for Alcon Pharmaceuti­ Dcals in the South Meadows Distribu­ tion Center in Reno. Alcon, a manufacturer OFFICE/WAREHOUSE and marketer of contact lens solution, will • 2,389 Sq . Ft. Conveniently located: occupy 78,605 square feet of space in a Grade Level Units Half mil e to 1-215 Airport Interconnect. 275,000-square-foot building. Kendall-Jack­ Adj acent to Main Post Office. • 5, 187+ Dock-High Un its son Winelies and AT&T are other tenants in For Information Call the center, which is situated five minutes • 20,778 Sq. Ft. Building Marge Landry or Brian Riffel from Reno-Tahoe International Airport. At • 78,829 Sq . Ft. Build ing build-out, South Meadows will feature nine 436-3166 buildings and total 2.5 million square feet. • I to 5 Acres for Build to Suit ~ • Ample Parking LND completing work on ~NSIGHT Southern Nevada projects ~ ~EALTY ASSOCIATES

Las Vegas-based LND Construction is com­ pleting three Las Vegas projects. LND's work on the 13,000-square-foot telecom switching station for Enron Communica­ tions, located at 2475 Arden Street, should be complete this month. Also slated for completion this month is a 15,000-square­ foot office/warehouse facility for Con­ sumer Pipe & Supply, located at 5165 Schirlls Street. The construction fim1 re­ cently finished work on the corporate headquarters for Las Vegas Golf. The 25,000-square-foot facility is situated at 2701 Climson Canyon Drive. Hughes· largest building in decade under construction

Hughes Center is adding more than 170,000 square feet of Class A office space. The new facility, located at 3993 Howard Hughes Parkway, represents the center's largest building since the construction of the Wells Fargo tower in 1986. The eight­ story building is scheduled for occupancy Your Business Partner in October. Available suites range in size from 1,000 to 22,000 square feet, and will 2700 W. Sahara Ave. 702-248-4200 feature advanced fiber-optic links. The 2890 N. Green Valley Pkwy. 702-451 -0624 will 7251 W. Lake Mead Blvd. 702-240- 1734 building also offer a security station Member FDIC and concierge. Hughes Corp. also an­ Courier service available for business clients. Some restrictions may apply. Check Guarantee Cards. nounced t!1e recent completion of a 70,065-

June 1999 . Nevada Business j ournal BN-21 ment, construction, leasing and manage­ ment services for select projects. Perlmut­ ter, who serves as president, was formerly chief operating officer of commercial de­ velopment for American Nevada Corp. Reno/Sparks seeing rise in BofA renovations total more than $500,000 unit sales The Reno/Sparks Association of Realtors ne of the oldest bank facilities in the Bank of America system is receiving a facelift. (RSAR) reported an increase in unit sales for BofA is spending more than $500,000 to renovate and remodel its North Las Vegas 1999's first quarter. January sales were up 0banking center, located at 2060 Las Vegas Boulevard North near Lake Mead Boulevard. 17.5 percent over January 1998 sales, while Opened in the early 1950s as the Bank of Las Vegas, the remodeled banking center will in­ February sales rose about 15 percent over crease in size by 600 square feet to more than 5,200 square feet. All mechanical and electri­ February 1998 sales. March numbers indi­ cal systems are being replaced, along with facility windows. A more modem architectural cate an 8.5 percent increase in sales over design will characterize the building's exterior, and more personable customer space will oc­ March 1998. RSAR statistics also show the cupy the interior. BofA is also helping improve another community: it recently awarded median number of units sold grew an aver­ Rural Nevada Development Corp. a $10,000 grant for the development of an affordable hous­ age of 7 percent a year over the last decade. ing project in Pahrump. The association's data cover Washoe Coun­ ty (excluding Incline Village) and the com­ munities of Fernley and Silver Springs. square-foot, first-class office building at builders have already earned preferred 250 Pilot Road. The building is the 34th fa­ builder status in Summerlin's Custom Meyer Motels opens first cility completed within the company's 390- Homebuilding Program. properties in Nevada acre master-planned Hughes Airport Cen­ Perlmutter launches Northern Nevada is home to California­ ter business and industrial park Paladin Realty Group, LLC based Meyer Motels' first two Best Inns & Executives form custom Suites. The mid-market economy hotel now Commercial real estate veteran Alan J. has locations at 1885 South Virginia Street home building firm Perlmutter established Paladin Realty in Reno and 1018 Fir Street in Carlin. Both Former Hughes Corp. CEO John Goolsby Group, LLC, a full-service real estate devel­ properties were converted from Best West­ established a custom home venture with opment finn in Las Vegas. Paladin Realty erns. The Reno property has 103 rooms, Fred W. Smith, former president/CEO of Group is a private real estate development while the Carlin hotel offers 61 rooms. Donrey Media Group and Dane Isenmann, company that develops projects for its own Upscale Reno apartments an award-winning builder. GSI-designed account. In addition, Paladin provides and -built homes start at $400,000; the strategic site acquisition, design, develop- open 100 percent occupied anamera Apartment Homes at Double Diamond Ranch (left) announced the Tcommunity 's first 40 luxury apartment homes will open this month with 100 percent occupancy. The remaining 168 first-phase homes are expected to open July through September, also with 100 percent occupancy. The neighborhood's amenities in­ clude concierge services, direct access garages and a yet-to-be­ built 15,000-square-foot enter- tainment facility and busi­ ness center framed by gardens, spas and a pool. Tanamera is adjacent to protected wetlands in Dou­ ble Diamond Ranch, an 800-acre master­ planned community in south Reno. •

BN-22 Nevada Business Journal • June 1999 Commercial Real Estate Market Report OFFICE MARKET SUMMARY

LAS VEGAS: At the end of the first quarter, first quarter of 1999. The northwest valley quarter of 1998, adding a substantial amount the existing office space inventory totaled submarket led in inventory growth, adding of inventory to the market. At the end of the

18,028,058 square feet with a vacancy factor over 212,ooo square feet. Market projections first quarter, there was over 150,000 square of 12.07 percent. The 1999 year-to-date net anticipate an additional924,000 square feet feet of vacant new office space in the sub absorption equalled 332,749 square feet, will come on line during the remainder of the market of South Meadows. Another 150,000 two-thirds of which took place in the north­ year. In addition to newly constructed office square feet of space is planned for comple­ w est and west valley submarkets. projects, some exist ing, and/ or reclassified t ion in 1999. The Class A vacancy rate rose to 11.37 per­ buildings were added to or deleted from the Office rents have risen slightly for Class A cent, up from 9.58 percent at the end of the office space inventory. space, up to an average of $1.68 per square fourth quarter. Class B vacancy remained rel­ foot monthly. This is mostly attributed to the atively unchanged at 12.79 percent. RENO: The Reno office market has seen some large amounts of new product on the market.

Over a quarter of a million square feet of softening in the past four months. Numerous

new office space was completed during the office projects were completed in the last NEXT MONTH: Retail Market Summary

[ -.... OFFICE MARKET- 1ST Quarter 1999 RETAIL MARKET- 4TH Quarter 1998 INDUSTRIAL MARKET- 4TH Quarter 1998 TOTAL MARKET LAS VEGAS RENO TOTAL MARKET LAs VEGAS RENO TOTAL MARKET LAs VEGAS RENO Number of Properties 477 174 Number of Properties 205 76 Number of Properties 1,311 713 Total Square Feet 18,o28,o58 4,059,253 Total Square Feet 24.347.528 8,632,059 Total Square Feet 52.761.427 46,161,116 Vacant Square Feet 2,386,478 434,183 Vacant Square Feet 995.420 440,000 Vacant Square Feet 6,111,568 4.308,336 Pe rcent Vacant 13.24°/o 11.50% Percent Vacant 4-090/o 5-70% Percent Vacant 11.58% 9-40% New Construction 368,572 123,509 New Construction 219,116 59,267 New Construction 792,448 3,016,645 Net Absorption 146,823 71,620 Net Absorption 255,242 Net Absorption 753.273 4.308,336 Avg Lease SF/ Mo (FSG- NNN)* $1.69 $1.42 Average Lease (N NN) $1.19 $1.03 Under Construction 1,468,955 743,000 Under Construction 854.429 165.700 Under Construction 1,595,005 421,662 Planned Construction 3,157.530 1,039,000 Planned Construction 1,732,294 345.400 Planned Construction 5,025,972 485,000 DISTRIBUTION- LESS THAN 10% OFFICE CLASS 'A' OFFICE PROPERTIES POWER (ENTERS- Number of Properties 460 ~ Number of Properties 39 23 RETAIL CENTERS> 100,000 SF Total Square Feet 29,537.524 39,236.949 Total Square Feet 4,121,746 1,556,o8o WITH MINIMAL oR No IN-LINE SPACE Vacant Square Feet 4.322,337 Vacant Square Feet 468,669 176,278 Number of Properti~s 19 3 Percent Vacant 14.63°/o Percent Vacant 11.370/o 12.00% Total Square Feet (GLA) 5.689,615 1,080,400 New Construction 765,658 1,334.703 New Construction 155,172 69.500 Vacant Square Feet 368,270 6,300 Net Absorption 632,314 Net Absorption 66,442 22,668 Percent Vacant 6-47°/o 6.oo% Under Construction 1,110,332 743,000 Avg Lease SF/ Mo (FSG- NNN)* $1.70 $1.65 New Construction 0 49.400 Planned Construction 2,926,302 1,039,000 Under Construction 126,194 102,900 Net Absorption -36,186 43.100 Avg Lease (NNN) < 1o,ooo SF $0.50 $0.46 Planned Construction 773.468 145.800 Average Lease (N NN) $1.13 $1.00 > 1o,ooo SF $0-40 $0.29 CLASS 'B' OFFICE PROPERTIES Under Construction 0 382,727 MANUFACTURING -10% • 20% OFFICE Number of Properties 290 61 Planned Construction 555,850 100,000 Number of Properties 747 100 Total Square Feet 10,558,017 1,504,423 COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL (ENTERS- Total Square Feet 17,483.302 6,462,556 Vacant Square Feet 1,560,273 150.920 RETAIL (ENTERS WITH ANCHOR(S) Vacant Square Feet 1,141,594 Percent Vacant 14-78% 10.00°/o Number of Properties 113 44 Percent Vacant 6.53°/o New Construction 213,400 46.900 Total Square Feet (GLA) 14,854,009 6,506,475 New Construction 26,790 Net Absorption 91,719 34.800 Vacant Square Feet 408,184 336.344 Net Absorption 40,245 Avg Lease SF/ Mo (FSG- NNN)* h73 $1.40 Percent Vacant 2-75% 5-70% Under Construction 65,550 0 Under Construction 715 .435 35.878 New Construction 186,347 8,867 Planned Construction 231,228 48,000 f\'drrrr ~u· CUI !S(I uLli"url 940,020 07,600 l'fet AI'Jsorpt(on 180,006 Avg Lease (NNN) < 10,000 SF $0-49 $0.48 CLASS'(' OFFICE PROPERTIES Average Lease (N NN) $1.31 ho5 > 1o,ooo SF $0.43 $0.29 Number of Properties 148 92 Under Construction 1.459,005 281,000 fLEX/ MULTI USE- OVER 30% OFFICE Total Square Feet 3.348,295 998.750 Planned Construction 4.144,122 350,000 Number of Properties 91 Vacant Square Feet 357.536 181,085 STRIP (ENTERS- RETAIL (ENTERS TOtal Square Feet 5,067,286 ~q-u-a ~-F~e-et------~6-4~7.~6-37----~--- Percent Vacant 10.68% 19.00% Number of Properties 73 27 New Construction 0 17,500 Total Square Feet (GLA) 3,803,904 919,611 Percent Vacant 12.78% Net Absorption - 11,338 10,900 Vacant Square Feet 218,966 66,856 New Construction o Avg Lease SF/ Mo (FSG- NNN)* $1.52 $1.10 Percent Vacant 5-76% 7-27% ~N~e~t _A~bs~o~rp~t_io_n~ ______. 8_o~,7~1~4______Under Construction 12,800 15,200 New Construction 32,819 0 Under Construction 293,073 Planned Construction 12,800 18,8oo Net Absorption 111,422 Planned Construction o Average Lease (N NN) * Average Monthly Lease Rates for Las Vegas reported $1.o8 $0.96 Avg Lease (NNN) < 10,000 SF $0.62 as Full-Service Gross and for Reno as Net Net Net. Under Construction 136,000 140,662 > 10,ooo SF $o.6o Planned Construction 326,000 35,000 Abbreviations MG: Modified Gross BTS: Build To Suit NNN: Net Net Net FSG: Full-Service Gross SF: Square Foot lAs VEGAS STATISTICS COMPILED BY LEE & ASSOCIATES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES GLA: Gross Leasable Area YTD: Year To Date RENO STATISTICS COMPILED BY GRUBB & ELLIS NEVADA COMMERCIAL GROUP

june 1999 • Nevada Busin ess journal BX-l3 pART FOUR OF A FOUR-pART SBRIBS bv cindie geddes

}\ fter veurs of discord ways to embrace the computer age. Hotel Gary Derek, general manager of the operators and airports had previously intro­ master-planned community Wingfield _l1 und diver

June 1999 • Nevada Business Journal 6• Destination Reno - Part Four

tors. For his part, Bruce Breslow, mayor of one wishing to partake of the Reno arts ex­ accomplishments. But locals aren't sur­ Sparks, envisions the addition of more open perience needs look no further than the prised. After all, they're used to high-pro­ space along the scenic river. fourth annual Uptown Downtown ARTown file artistic attractions. For instance, the The next phase of redevelopment - due - the arts festival that takes over the town Nevada Museum of Art drew 20,000 peo­ to begin long before phase one is complete for the month of July. Uptown Downtown ple to an exhibit of Rodin sculptures. The - will offer a long-awaited solution to the ARTown includes 200 separate events fea­ Nevada Opera brought in two American problem of Reno's railways. Suppressing turing some 50 cultural organizations at no premiers and produced several of the coun­ the railroad tracks below street level where less than 49 locations throughout the city. try's major talents. The Pioneer Center they cross busy downtown thoroughfares is Attracting more than 70,000 people last hosted the Broadway show Rent before San a major part of phase two. Though some lo­ year, the festival is one of Reno's proudest Francisco could schedule it. The Great cals like to hear the low bellow of traveling trains, tourists complain. Furthermore, the trains create delays upwards of five min­ utes, increasing pollution and snarling downtown traffic. Lowering the tracks has the added benefit of opening more land for development - parks or businesses, it has­ You're in for a n't been decided. Regardless of the final decision, the project will be set in motion within the next three years- a short wait in­ deed, considering the idea has been debat­ $128,450 shock. ed for the past five decades.

CULTURB IS pART OF As on employer, you risk substonliollines when your employees don 't use sole work/rocti ces or THB CULTURB proper safety equipment. This is on area where o lock of oHenlion on your port coul end up costing you o lot. In the first quarter ol1999 alone, Nevada employers were cited lor 162 ~ particularly innovative focus spear­ electrical violations, lor on initial penalty of $128,450. _fi heading Reno's downtown redevel­ The fact isk any lime you violate health and solely hazards, you con incur o hefty line. And that's if opment is the creation of an arts district. you 're luc y. One of your workers could be seriously injured -or even die - because of safety hazards in the workplace. Because the arts have become a driving force in the community for locals and visi­ The Nevada Deportment of Business and Industry, Division of Industrial Relations, Safety Consultation and Training Section !SCATS) con help you prevent workplace tors alike, city leaders took note. Planned accidents and ovoid safety violation penalties. for the heart of the redevelopment district is the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, home to opera, ballet, philharmonic, TOP FIVE HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS VIOLATED: v;Jt~:~ns ~~~!~~ Broadway shows and a host of other attrac­ Electrical 162 5128.450 (Not having continuous path to ground, not having a cover on an electrical junction box tions. Across the street, the old Riverside and inadequate strain relief on extension cords.) Hotel is being transformed into Artspace, Hazard Communication 86 s 20.650 (No wriHen chemical hazard communication program, inadequate training of exposed the upper floors of which will offer living employees, no material data sheet for all hazardous chemicals.) Machine Guarding s1 s 60.100 quarters and studio space to 35 low-income (Not having a a proper guard on a fan, not having an adequate point of operation guarding, not having a proper guard on a ripsaw.) artists with related commercial use on the Scaffold s1 s 40,150 (Not having guard rails on all open sides, not having proper access to the working level, main floor. Artspace is scheduled to open not having the working platfonn fully planked.) Fall Protection 43 s 45.575 sometime late next year. (Not providing fall protection systems for exposed employees to unprotected sides and Regal Cinemas, a 12-screen multiplex edges. having unprotected openings in floors or roofs, and not training exposed employees.) theater within the downtown district, will Violations found by the DivOion of lnd..,triol Relations, Occupononal ·All penalties calleded by the Divi>ion af Industrial Relanomare "'ed open in a few short months. As will 88 Safety and Heahh Enforcement Section IOIHESI, January· Ma rch 1999 to offse t an nu al assessments of Nevado workers' compensation insurers. timeshare condos in the quaint old Mapes Hotel - each offering convenient access to art district activities and attractions. Add to the area cafe-style outdoor dining, as well as concerts and other cultural events occur­ SCRTS ring at nearby Wingfield Park and there SAHTT+ CONSUlTATION AND TRAINING SECTION you have it - a bona fide arts district in a part of town that at present is mostly dark. DIVISION OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS Why the arts? Why an arts district? Any-

64 Nevada Business journal • juoe 1999 Basin Chataqua has become so popular, the As for the future, ideas to grow and re­ AN INTBRNATIONAL Nevada Humanities Committee made a fine Reno's artistic and cultural center are FLAVOR handbook and videotape to demonstrate to already being discussed. John Shelton, ex­ other communities how to carry out the ecutive director for the performing arts, has he primary market for Reno has tra­ event. The Wing and a Prayer dance com­ grand plans for bringing in new kinds of art T ditionally been the West Coast drive pany can boast being one of only two es­ and expression and taking the time to build market such as the San Francisco Bay area tablished multigenerational dance groups and educate audiences. "A quality experi­ and Sacramento. Secondary to those areas in America. And former Governor Bob ence," he compares, "is like fine wine - it has been the Pacific Northwest, with Seat­ Miller won the first American Association takes time to develop in its own way." tle as a major player. While these regions of Arts Governor's Award. provide Reno with the majority of its visi­ tor population, community leaders are ready to branch out - not just to the rest of the country, but to the rest of the world. Team Sierra, the community's coordinated team effort, is scouring the globe for new Make the markets from which to draw tourists. Tait says the Nevada Commission on Tourism safety bas a position dedicated to international markets. He says the interest exists. Sur­ prisingly, Japanese travelers are aware of connection. the Reno-Stead Air Races; Taiwanese in­ quire about Reno's golf courses. "We have all the reasons for them to be here," Tait as­ And remember these tips to help prevent electri ca l hozords: serts. "Now we need to get them here." He • Regularly inspect insulation on electrical cords and cables, as says it's time to close some deals, not just we ll as the pins on the plugs for damag e; keep making contacts. • Train employees to grasp the plug when removing it from Television doesn't hurt in getting the a receptacle; word out either. The city is partnering with • Always make sure electrical junction boxes are appropriately the Professional Bowlers Association to covered, and use only listed and labeled equipment; televise events at the National Bowling Sta­ • Always make sure flexible electrical cords and cables dium. And for anyone who doesn't know are never: about the Reno/Sparkstrahoe region's golf Attached to building surface s, attractions, CNBC will be televising the Run through doorways whe re they can be pinched, Reno-Tahoe Open at Montreux Golf Run concealed beh in d building walls, ceilings, or floors, Run through holes unless protected by bushings or fittings . Course this August. In fact, because the area's golfing repu­ No matter what your business, no molter what your hazard concern, SCATS can ma ke sure you're connected to the information resources that will help tation is now well-established, the RSCVA your business run more safely. plans to sell some of its courses to free up additional funds for promoting the area. Southern Nevada: 702/486-9140 Northern Nevada: 775/688-1474 MORB THAN JUST Northeastern Nevada: 775/753-1169 DUCTTApB

}\. ccording to Peter Wilday, architect, of .ft Wilday Architects, Reno's casino properties must keep upgrading and rein­ venting themselves the way Disneyland adds new rides. Part of the reinvention tak­ Always think and act safely on the job. ing place in Reno came with the realization that at successful properties, only half the revenues come from gaming. Wilday says his clients recognize gaming is just one form of entertainment, and they're looking DIVISION OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS to offer entertairunent in a less traditional way. The objective now is for everything to

June 1999 • Nevada Business Journal 65 Reno's downtown resorts - including the Eldorado, Circus Circus, Silver Legacy and Harrah's - are also following suit with each investing money into a lot more than new duct tape. Their timing is good, because the overall averages reveal area casinos aren' t as strong as they used to be. However, for those resorts investing in rebuilding and ex­ pansion, it's an entirely different picture. ''The ones that are doing well," says Wil­ Work has begun on the old Riverside Hotel to transform it into artists' living quarters and day of his clients, "are doing really well." studio space. Plans call for providing first-floor retail space, as well. This wave of innovation is not just con­ fined to Reno proper, Sparks has turned­ be fun. No more dark, dank gambling halls. "It's the product," Wilday explains of the Victorian Square and its bevy of special Even slots are more enjoyable today as pro­ property's success. "A remodel doesn't events into a local favorite, and now there ducers design and build more complicated mean new duct tape." is an entirely new view to greet visitors machines. Other properties have also heeded the coming from the east. Breslow says the Yet, Wilday says, the area is not losing cues from Las Vegas. John Ascuaga's new Sparks Marina Park, which success­ its history. Reno still lays claim to the loos­ Nugget has been a primary sponsor of fully transformed an area of urban blight, est slots in the nation. Only now, casino op­ events at Sparks' Victorian Square and re­ will be "a picture window into the city for erators are trying to make them the most cently added a new 800-room tower and a the next five years." entertaining as well. It's this combination Basque restaurant. A new Beverly Hillbillies-themed casi­ of striving for the future while honoring the The Peppermill has expanded its rooms no has been approved in concept, existing past that defines the new direction of the and built an elaborate pool and rock water­ hotel-casinos are renovating, the arts are Greater Reno/Sparks community. fall that features a show during the day. The thriving downtown, the marina already This new direction, however, come at a hotel has also added a new gourmet restau­ hosts fishermen and Sparks is ready to price. The old adage, "It takes money to rant and refurbished its casino. The resort is unveil a $1 million interactive fountain. make money," has been proven again and even transforming the movie theater lot Combine that with the new air of cooper­ again, but Reno business leaders were al­ next door into a' 1,500-seat concert hall. ation and civic pride in the local leader­ ways skeptical. Now the successful proper­ The Atlantis needed to build a walkway ship and you have a formula that can' t ties are learning from Las Vegas, if on a over Virginia Street and decided to do so miss. Dorene Soto, economic develop­ smaller scale, the truth of that statement. with flair. The new skywalk includes an ment manager for the Redevelopment Western Village, a property known for its oyster bar where patrons can look down Agency of the city of Reno, says, "It's a bad location and big profits, is constantly Virginia Street to the downtown casinos in great time to be in this job." And it's a reinventing itself. the distance. great time to live in this city. •

Located downtown, the Regal Cinemas 12-theater multiplex is due to open soon.

66 Nevada Business Journal • June 1999 Women- & Minority­ Owned Businesses Southern Nevada. A 16-year Las Vegan, she felt the beginning of 1999 brought the Continued from page 30 ideal time to open a local branch, of which she is 100 percent owner. She has big plans for the company: "We want NFWBO and Dun & Bradstreet, nearly this location to grow, get distributors eight million woman-owned firms provide and become known all over the country," jobs for 18.5 million people (more than she elaborates. are employed in the Fortune 500 industri­ Ezquerro says she hasn't faced many al firms) and generate $2.28 trillion in difficulties as a woman business owner. sales. According to Department of Com­ "There are many resources if you really merce data, between 1987 and 1992, the want to do it- people want to help," she number of woman-owned businesses rose GERALDINE asserts. "! do notice, though," she added 43 percent, with receipts tripling. Includ­ EZQUERRO- F ARINA with a smile, "that when my husband is ing large woman-owned corporations, Ezquerro y Catala around, people go to talk to him more." there were 6.41 million woman-owned Ezquerro exudes the self-assurance so firms, with receipts of $1.574 trillion in hough this family-owned luxury of­ many female entrepreneurs say is crucial 1992. These firms represented 32 percent fice furniture dealer is 60 years to their success. ''I'm very confident in our of all firms for that same year. T old, Geraldine Ezquerro is spear­ product," she declares. "If you really want Like woman-owned businesses, num­ heading the Mexicanfirm'sfirstforay into to da something, get the guts to do it." bers of minority-owned businesses in­ creased substantially - 60 percent - from firms. Receipts increased by 128 percent, receipts for minority-owned businesses 1987 to 1992, rising from 8.8 percent to from $92.1 billion to $210 billion. remained below the average - $98,000, 12.5 percent of total firms. This compares Receipts for all firms grew 67 percent compared to $193,000. to an increase of 26 percent for all U.S. (from $2 to $3.3 trillion). However, actual African-American-owned businesses rose by 46 percent from 1987 to 1992, Wright, established The Plant People. with receipts doubling during that same Today, her clients range from individual time period. Hispanic-owned businesses buyers at her retail store to Northern Neva­ proved to be one of the fastest growing da resorts needing entire artificial plant segments of the U.S. business population, landscapes. "Potential clients have to deal with an increase of 82.7 percent and re­ with a landscape company for three ceipts rising more than 33 percent. Busi­ months on a construction-type job, so some nesses owned by Asian Americans, Amer­ are more comfortable with male crews," ican Indians, Alaskan Natives and Pacific she explained of the challenges in owning Islanders increased by 87.2 percent be­ The Plantwork.s. But that isn't always an tween 1982 and 1987. This was the fastest obstacle: " We bid against a male-owned increase of all minority business groups company for a job at The Nugget, and I surveyed by the Bureau of Census for priced my project so we 'd get the bid. My those years. crew, which is 99 percent female, was there African-American women owned the with power tools doing the job, and I was largest share (39 percent) of firms owned eight months pregnant at the time," said by minority women, while Hispanic men RACHEL JORDAN WRIGHT Wright, who now takes her young son, Tris­ owned the largest share (42 percent) of THE PLANTWORKS tan, to work with her. firms owned by minority men. Three Based on her experiences, Wright fore­ states - California, Texas and Florida - en Rachel Jordan Wright bought sees much promise for woman entrepre­ accounted for 49 percent of the total num­ he Reno location of The Plant­ neurs of the future. "Today, there are so ber of minority-owned firms. Wworks from successful Las Vegas many women in business," she observed. While the highest number of Nevada businesswoman Linda Lewis in 1996, it "It's easier than ever, and things will con­ small businesses are still in the service wasn 't her first foray into bus iness owner­ tinue to improve. So many negative things sector, the statistics for woman- and mi­ ship. The 30-year-old has owned compa­ in the past held woman business owners nority-owned business are all over the nies since 1992, starting with a dry-clean­ back, so it's up to us to empower ourselves board. Loftus notes, "There's nothing tra­ ing firm. Encouraged by professors at and be confident and successful. If you be­ ditional about the types of businesses Menlo College in California and a hus­ lieve in yourself, that comes acmss and women start. It could be anything." From band who was "dead set on owning a busi­ people feel comfortable with you. It's trucking companies to fire-retardant silk ness," Wright pursued her own entrepre­ mind over matter - an. incredibly powerful plants, from writers to media reps, women neurial dreams while her husband, Dean philosophy if you believe you can do it." and minorities are making it work. But how are they getting started?

June 1999 • Nevada Business Journal 67 ship the most. But that freedom only came after years of hard work. Working at Ford Motor Co. enabled the couple to build up savings for their first endeavors. Holding onto those jobs after the openings of their sites the SBA 7a Loan Guarantee Program, restaurants gave them continued security. which allows approved business owners For others contemplating going into busi­ to approach banks with a guarantee from ness for themselves, Tsou says, "Entrepre­ the SBA behind them. Both Loftus and neurs should hold on to their salaried jobs Gutherie say the lending climate in Neva­ as long as possible. Do both jobs if you da is quite friendly and accessible. can. You can't put full-time effon into it, Sharolyn Craft, regional director for the FRANK & HELEN Tsou but you'll reduce your financial worries." Nevada Small Business Development As an added benefit, by the time the Tsous QVS, Inc. Center, hosted by the University of Neva­ were ready to pursue lending for expan­ da-Las Vegas, says the main advantage for ince they came to the United States sion, their business had enough equity to women and minorities right now is the from China in the '60s, Frank and be secure, according to Frank Tsou. sheer volume of information available to Helen Tsou established two restau­ Tsou partly credits good education- he S entrepreneurs. Technology has made data rants in Michigan and QVS, a manufac­ and his wife have master's degrees from gathering simple and quick. This includes turer and supplier of PC cables and ac­ the University of Michigan - for the cou­ data on loans and loan help available to cessories. With offices in Las Vegas, ple's success. But Tsou also believes that women and minorities. But proving a Michigan and Taipei, QVS averages about hailing from another country has proven company is woman- or minority-owned $12 million a year in revenues. beneficial in a way. "I think we can ap­ can be a daunting process, and not just According to Frank Tsou, the couple preciate opportunity a little more than when it comes to loans. enjoy "the freedom" of business owner- someone born in America," he asserts. Lewellyn-Davidson is frustrated by all the hoops a woman must jump through for typical business purposes. Southern simply to set eyes on anything resembling INSTITUTIONAL, COMMUNITY Nevada CDC hosts the SBA 's Office of equal opportunity. "Why should we have RESOURCES CRITICAL Women's Business Ownership, which as­ to do this?" she asks. "Why is it so bad sists individuals with opening a business that we have to prove we're a woman­ hile many firms use bank loans to through classes and seminars. Gutherie owned business? Why should we have to Wget started, others shy away from tradition and find their own way. Loans from friends and family are common. So elude several retailers at The Venetian. are credit cards, though huge risk accom­ Harris' respect and reputation within panies incurring so much debt early on in Southern Nevada's construction commu­ a business. Tom Gutherie, president and nity earned her the presidency of the local CEO of the Southern Nevada CDC, is not in Associated General Contractors chapter any way in favor of debt financing in the last year. She's also a vice president with embryonic stages of a business. "Many put Commercial Real Estate Women-Southern so much debt into the start of a business," Nevada. The National Association of he says, "and it requires so much to service Women in Construction nominated her for the debt. It takes away from the ability to its 1999 Crystal Vision award. grow the business." Shelton would agree. Being a woman doesn 't seem to have She saved the necessary capital for her detracted from Harris' career. "Contract­ business start-up before giving notice at ing companies need credibility regardless her advertising job. Wright says she too of whether a man or woman runs them," brought money into the business, rather she explained. "It's been a difficult at than debt. She and co-owner Kathy Ran­ LINDA HARRis times - sometimes I just have to work dolph (yogi and CPA) made sure the Yoga LF Harris & Company, Inc. harda Given our volume of work, I don't Center was self-sufficient from day one. think my being a woman has hun us. We According to experts, the number and n a field dominated by men, Linda may have even gained a lot. Once you types of funding options available to Harris has made a name for herself A have that credibility, especially if you're a women and minorities are as great as ever. I secretary by trade, she joined the con­ woman, they're yours for life." But the message isn't being heard. One of struction indust1y in 1965 as an estimator, Harris, who has built her company the programs Loftus is working to promote quickly moving into a career as a project around repeat business, says successful is the Nevada Microenterprise Initiative, manager. Her general contracting com­ business owners from all walks share one which distributes Small Business Admin­ pany, which she co-owns with her hus­ thing in common: "You need to have a istration (SBA) loans of $500 to $25,000 band Frank, employs 17; its clients in- passion for what you do."

68 Nevada Business journal • June 1999 Women- & Minority-Owned Businesses

prove anything to anybody? Men don' t ploit. Community provides the instrumen­ Women and Minority have to." Then she quickly answers her tal networks, entrepreneurial apprentice­ own question. "We have to so we can pos­ ships and funding sources. Business Organizations sibly be put on a level playing field." According to Gutherie, small business Jaymie McMullin, owner and president is the most embattled segment of our na­ M INORITY BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR of JAG Media Design, says, "I don' t think tion's economy, yet we depend on it more www.mbemag.com being certified gets you preferential treat­ than any other aspect of our economy. It is includes a resource site listing ment. I compete for contracts not based a cornerstone struggling for strength in an 37 separate organizations solely on low price, but on creativity. What economy desperate for such support. But, having certification status does is bring my as Shelton says, "Life is too short to not be SMALL BUSINESS AsSOCIATION company to the attention of people who doing what you love. And if you want it Citrus.sbaonline.sba.gov might not have otherwise looked at it." badly enough, you'll find a way to make it Resources available to women and mi­ work." Committed individuals like Loftus, OFFICE OF SMALL & DISADVANTAGED norities aren't confined to the public sec­ Gutherie, Lewellyn-Davidson and Craft BUSINESS UTILI ZATION tor; many such business owners rely on are leading the charge, helping make sure www.doc.gov/osbdu the benefits that come with a tightly knit business owners are able to pursue their community. For many minority groups, passions. "As we become stronger and NEVADA SMALL BUSINESS business enterprise is a very important more independent," Wright says, "we are DEVELOPMENT (ENTER tool, contributing to the incorporation of less likely to sit in an office and type. www.nsbdc.org ethnic immigrants into American society. There's nothing wrong with working in an By building a community and developing office, but why not be the one calling the networks, these groups are laying the shots?" Evidently, more than 47,000 American Association of groundwork for even more prosperity and women agree, having created their own Minority Businesses success in the future. Ethnic entrepreneurs businesses, employing over 130,000 peo­ www. website1.comjaamb are likely to have inside information about ple and generating more than $13 billion business opportunities that they can ex- in sales. Now there's some passion. • MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE very supportive of each other, and that has www.mbda.gov had a huge impact on our ability to get the company going and growing." NATIONAL BUSINESS Moore urges other woman entrepre­ INCUBATION AsSOCIATI ON neurs to "spend a lot of time designing www.nbia.org and writing your business plan. It needs to be very specific, especially in determining U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COM MERCE your point of difference with your com­ OFFI CE OF SMALL DISADVANTAGED petitors' products. Our business plan was BUSINESS UTILI ZATI ON key for us - it forced us to answer such www.doc.gov/osbdu/ questions as where we'dfind our business FAFIE MOORE and how we planned to achieve financial Realty Executives of Nevada success as a company." NATIONAL AsSOCIATION OF Seeking assistance from peers is also W OMEN BUSINESS OWN ERS afie Moore established Realty critical for woman business owners, ac­ (301) 608-2590 Executives of Nevada in 1989 cording to Moore. "Don't try to be an is­ F with husband Jeff. Today she is land unto yourself," she stated. "Reach NATI ONAL FOU NDATI ON FOR majority owner of the 235-agent-strong out for support, and find mentors who can WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS company, as well as Realty Executives help you. When you have good mentors, (301) 495-4975 franchises in Utah, Idaho, Montana, you can learn from their experience, and "11ryoming and New Mexico. She has no­ your business management skills will im­ NATIONAL WOMEN'S BUSINESS (ENTER ticed a marked mutual support among prove more quickly. Never stop teaming. (202) 205·3850 women entrepreneurs in Southern Nevada. It's a journey, not a destination. You need "The Las Vegas business community is to keep looking for new ways of doing ON-LINE WOMEN'S BUSINESS (ENTER more open to women than other communi­ things, making sure you have the same en­ www.onlinewbc.org/entry.html ties," she compared. "Women here are thusiasm you had in your first year."

June 1999 • 'evada Business Jol111121 (II

DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Continued from page 38 ECONOMIC REHABILITATION OUTSIDE vision," said Ernie Rubi, chief of housing THE DOWNTOWN CORRIDOR? and redevelopment. "We are conducting infrastructure analysis to assess what is currently in place before making any long­ Clark County behind in term plans." He says the city council fore­ efforts to foster urban renewal sees an old-style main street populated by pedestrian traffic, families and friends. ...I Amenities such as a farmer's market and hen the topic of economic another suitable use," he explained. an annual art festival will be developed to redevelopment emerges, Gordon added that he'd love to partici­ establish that identity. "We are very aware W most people think of blight­ pate in more renewal efforts, but until of creating our own unique identity," says ed downtown areas long ago abandoned the county forms a redevelopment Rubi. "We are not looking to compete with by businesses and residents seeking the agency, he said his "hands are tied." Las Vegas." A master plan envisions clus­ newer and more expansive environs of Gordon wrote letters to each Clark ters of intimate eateries, galleries, brew suburban life. However, as in many County commissioner regarding the im­ pubs and bookstores. Of the Water Street communities, the need for economic re­ portance of such an agency; not one has storefronts that are not currently vacant, newal in Las Vegas isn't limited to its responded to his queries. few fit the plan. "Downtown redevelop­ downtown core. Commissioners might want to be ment hasn't occurred quickly in the last "Residents within the central areas of more responsive, because, according to year," explains Rubi. "But the pump is Las Vegas who want to shop at retail Gordon, economic redevelopment offers primed to move forward." power centers featuring tenants such as a "win-win situation for everyone. It in­ According to Henderson Mayor Jim Wal-Mart or Home Depot have to drive creases taxes, because new facilities are Gibson, the city spent much of last year quite a distance," noted Hank Gordon, assessed at a considerably higher rate organizing the future of downtown and president of Laurich Properties, Inc. than the blighted areas they replace. working on expanding its strategic plan. Gordon, who's concerned about the Those tax increments go directly to the In January the city entered into an ex­ Jack of goods and services for residents county, and the county can use those clusive negotiating agreement with the of "mature" areas, is putting his money monies to build a war chest for future re­ Phyllis E. Thompson Companies to devel­ where his mouth is: he is a principal development," Gordon noted. ''It doesn't op 4.4 acres on Water Street between Basic partner, .along with Ken Sullivan, Jr. and cost taxpayers anything to clean up Road and Ocean Avenue. The first phase of Irwin Molasky, in the redevelopment of blight, it creates jobs and it brings goods construction is slated to include a 98,800- Sahara Square Shopping Center. and services to an area that Jacked them. square-foot office building, a 21 ,800- Made possible by the relocation of a It also cuts down on traffic because resi­ square-foot retail center and a 172,000- Lucky's food store, the $21 million re­ dents of mature areas no longer have to square-foot parking garage. Thompson, a development project at Maryland Park­ drive long distances to shop." Henderson resident since 1941 , is the for­ way and East Sahara will be complete Attracting prominent national retail­ mer owner and operator of Basic Ready this summer. It will offer 95,234 square ers isn't a problem, according to Gor­ Mix and Basic Rock and Sand. feet of gross leasable area. Sahara doA, who has more than 40 years' expe­ While Henderson struggles to establish Square constitutes unincorporated rience in real estate development. an identity, downtown North Las Vegas is Clark County's first redevelopment "Once a retailer is in the market, its ad­ marshalling its resources to repair and im­ project; it replaces a center originally vertising, shipping and distribution prove its downtown core. "We are trying built in 1967. costs are the same, whether it has two very hard to change our image," says While it's unincorporated Clark locations or six. [Retailers are] motivat­ Jacque Risner, economic development County's first redevelopment effort, ed to open stores throughout the Valley. manager for the city. Indeed, the city coun­ there's no guarantee others will follow. Many national retailers would be moti­ cil approved zoning codes prohibiting new The biggest obstacle to future renewal? vated to develop infill properties if they billboards downtown and removing exist­ Clark County Jacks a redevelopment had the opportunity to acquire land at a ing billboards when a property is redevel­ agency similar to Las Vegas, according reasonable cost," he stated. oped or developed for the first time. In ad­ to Gordon. "If the county were to form Without a county redevelopment dition, a $750,000, two-mile landscaping a redevelopment agency, that entity agency, the future of urban renewal project runs along Lake Mead Boulevard could apply eminent domain and pro­ throughout much of the Las Vegas Valley from I-15 to Civic Center Drive. "These vide possible financial support for remains in question. The only certainty are the most visible areas a visitor encoun­ landowners and developers to clean up is there are developers such as Hank ters coming into North Las Vegas," ex­ blight, tear down entire blocks at a time Gordon who are committed to rehabili­ plained Kerry Lyman, manager of down­ and rebuild parcels as modern retail or tating mature areas where possible. town redevelopment. "The agency feels the blight of these areas contributes to the

june 1999 • Nevada Business journal 71 DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT (it's not just Continued from previous page negative perception of North Las Vegas." REAL Pursuing public-private partnerships, estate. the city hopes to attract developers to re­ place the gas stations and car repair shops currently lining its two main corridors. RETAIL SERVICES According to Risner, various entities have ·· .A ·;- ·· c:·oL·L·I"ERs .. l"iir e R N·,..;: ·i o·N·AL invested more than $108 million in down­ town redevelopment since 1990. An ac­ The old rules don't apply here.The tion plan calls for demolishing boarded­ residential population is growing at up, vacant structures at the entrances an exponential rate.The Las Vegas to downtown North Las Vegas and con­ Strip is the most dynamic five-m il e tains provisions for increased community corridor of retail opportunities in policing, stronger code enforcement and the world.And Las Vegas has estab­ further marketing of the downtown area. lished itself as the No. I tourist One of the first actions is condemning and destination in the country. eliminating blight in "focus areas," near But there's one commercial real the entrances to the city. estate firm that can take all of the While such endeavors appear more cos­ 24-hour unpredictability out of Las metic than substantial, Millennium, Inc. is Vegas and turn it into competent, developing a new $20 million, 82,000- sound advice for its clients.That square-foot multi-purpose arena at Van firm is Colliers International. Der Meer Street and North Las Vegas Boulevard. Situated on 12.5 acres, the pre­ You see, the Retail Division at Col­ fabricated building will host concerts, liers goes beyond simple demo­ rodeos and boxing events. graphics and location. We look at "North Las Vegas looked to be an psychographies, consumer pu rchas­ up-and-coming place to do business, ing behavior and traffic patterns of COLLIERS which made our decision to locate here an both residents and tourists. Then 11'-TER!X.-\TI0!\0,\L easy one," said Millennium CFO Joseph we scrutinize.We analyze.We cate­ Cartlidge. The arena was slated to break gorize. Because even though this is ground last November; financing difficul­ Las Vegas, we don't leave anyth ing ties have delayed construction by several to chance. (702) 735-5700 months. Officials now anticipate ground­ breaking to occur within 30 days. You know retail. Now get with the 3960 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 150 "North Las Vegas has undergone a great real estate firm that does, too. Las Vegas , Nevada 89109 www.lvco/liers. com deal of change for the better, and it's continuing to improve," Risner said. "We WE INVITE YOU TO CALL FOR OUR REFERENCES . have just begun to accumulate funds in our redevelopment coffers. It's a slow process. From start to finish, the entire re­ development project will probably require 20 to 30 years to complete." a£f.. &xceeeence in ''fl'~ fl'~ Nevada cities face the daunting chal­ .M..edica£ (3~." 3.11UUJituJ and !Radiation lenge of stimulating growth in their stag­ r a R< ><: I >R nant core urban areas. In her book The Life NEVADA RADIATION ONCOLOGY CENTERS DESERT RADIOLOGISTS and Death of Great American Cities, Jane NROC-Main 624 S. Tonopah Drive, 386-6863 OR-Palomino 2020 Palomino Lane, #100 Jacobs says, "Vital cities have marvelous NROC-East 3940 S. Eastern Ave., 369-6762 DR-Eastern 3920 S. Eastern Ave., #100 innate abilities for understanding, commu­ NROC-West 655 Town Center Dr., 233-2200 DR-Cathedral Rock 7200 Cathedral Rock Dr. , #I;O nicating, contriving, and inventing what is Radiation Therapy Center of Henderson 382-XRAY (9729) 98 E. Lake Mead Drive, #101, 565-5311 www.desertrad.com required to combat their difficulties." www.11 roc.com Angiography- Cf- Dexa It appears Nevada's metropolitan areas External Beam Radiatio n 1l1erapy Diagnostic Radiology - Ultrasound have set in motion the means to recreate Conformal 30 Treatmem Planning Mammogrnphy · MRJ , Open -!Rl & MRA Brachytherapy- Prostate lmplants Nuclear Medicine - StereOtactic Breast Bi opsy vibrant downtown city centers, each uniquely representative of the urban enti­ ty within which it beats. •

72 Nevada Business Journal • June 1999 ive years ago, first-time homebuy­ of thi s year, they will be extinct. And we explained. "Now, we are having trouble ers in Las Vegas had no problem are very aware that homes priced at finding anything less than $60,000 an F finding a new starter home with $120,000 and under are endangered, as acre when we try to find 20 acres or more, three bedrooms and two baths for less well." Priesing also owns Hearthstone which is what you need for a 100-plus than $75,000. Inexpensive housing, boost­ Homebuilders in Las Vegas. home community." What does that mean ers crowed, was one of the things that Scott Gragson, a land specialist at Col­ to the homebuyer? A $2,500 increase per made this rapidly growing metropolis so liers International, said rising impact fees homesite, according to Billy. "It's market attractive to young, working families. Not and government mandates such as larger driven, the price of land and houses has only were there plenty of jobs, but that lot sizes have increased costs. "Along with been going up all over the area," he said. American dream - the single-family, de­ the rising price of land, these factors are Billy, whose company also builds in tached home- was well within reach. making it more difficult to build an af­ Las Vegas and Henderson, said impact As the millennium approaches, howev­ fordable product," stated Gragson, a Las fees and building costs haven't exactly er, frrst-time homebuyers may soon find Vegas native. "But if people don't like been standing still, either. "There have themselves priced out of the housing mar­ small lots, they are going to have to pay been increases in lumber and concrete, as ket. Local builders, forecasters and land more for their homes." well as code upgrades," he said. "These experts say the price of housing is rising According to Gragson, qualifying for a code changes can add $500 to $3,000 to rapidly- so fast, in fact, that an entry level $1 10,000 home means a household would the price of a home, depending on its size. home in Southern Nevada may cost need a yearly income of nearly $40,000. I'm not saying they are bad, because some $120,000 or more in two years. Dale Billy, "But that can be deceiving, because if you of the soils around here are unstable. But vice president of operations for Greys tone have credit card bills, car payments or debt it all results in cost increases to home­ Homes, has seen the cost of starter homes for a boat and other toys, you may not be builders that get passed on to homebuy­ rise dramatically during the 11 years he able to qualify," he explained. Pretty soon, ers." By 2002, Billy said starter houses has been in Las Vegas. But the price in­ Gragson predicted, some casino workers could easily be above the $1 10,000 mark. creases of the past two years have shocked will be commuting from Pahrump and Lo­ "It's hard to predict, but if land and raw him the most. "Let me tell you, I'm way gandale to fmd affordable housing. materials ·keep going up $10,000 a year, more familiar with this problem than I Even in North Las Vegas, where home it's only going to get worse. And builders want to be," he said. "It's a little scary prices have traditionally been the least ex­ certainly aren't pocketing this money as when the cost of the same house goes up pensive, Greystone's Billy said costs are profit. We are basically just passing on the $10,000 a year." rising quickly. For starters, land prices costs." Still, Billy said, compared to the Joanne Jensen, spokeswoman for the have gone up significantly over the past price of homes in many parts of Califor­ Southern Nevada Home Builders Associa­ 18 months because of demand. "We are nia, Las Vegas costs remain a bargain. tion (SNHBA), said her group is concerned currently trying to replace two communi­ "Sure, I wish we could keep starter hous­ that families with bread-winners who ties of several hundred houses in North es under $100,000," he acknowledged. work in the hotel-casino trade may soon Las Vegas [Victory and Home Town] that "But we shouldn't lose sight of the fact be priced out of the starter market. Added are close to being built out. When we ac­ that we have very affordable homes com­ Rich Priesing, SNHBA president, "New quired the real estate for the communities, pared to a lot of other places. We're not homes in the $100,000 price bracket are land at Victory cost $37,500 an acre and at the bargain we used to be, though. I cer­ not just an endangered species. By the end Home Town was $47,500 an acre," he tainly wish workers' wages were rising to

june 1999 • . 'evada Business journal 73 Housing Costs

keep up with these price increases, but Jensen said her association tries to be costs of homes by thousands of dollars. they aren't. That's a problem. I fear we're proactive so government bodies are made "There are times when impact fee increas­ leaving some people behind." aware what their decisions cost homebuy­ es are justifiable, but not in the majority of SNHBA 's Jensen said her group is ers. "Some members of the public and cases," she asserted. "People need to real­ doing everything it can to keep the price government always want to add impact ize that 25 percent of the cost of a new of housing from rising too rapidly· - at fees onto new houses to pay for growth," home already goes toward fees and regu­ least in terms of new government regula­ she said. "They should understand that 65 lations. That's a lot." tions and impact fees. "Keeping housing percent of new homebuyers are people Thanks in part to efforts by her associa­ prices within a range so that people who who live here now. They aren't outsiders. tion, Question lA in the ovember elec­ work here can afford to buy is among the That means local people will be unable to tion- which dealt with how to pay for the top three issues we are working on," she purchase that first home." new Lake Mead water delivery system said. "People always talk about traffic, Jensen said studies by her association currently under development - included a but they should be equally concerned show that each time the average price of a one quarter of one cent general sales tax about the price of homes." house rises $1 ,000, at least 1,500 families that will be borne by the general popula­ In affluent areas such as northern Cali­ can no longer afford to buy a home. "Im­ tion, not just new homebuyers. "Original­ fornia's Silicon Valley, where Jensen said pact fees may be legal," she admitted. ly, [increased water connection fees to pay $200,000 incomes are typical, Las Vegas­ "But do we really want to price a huge for the new delivery system] would have priced houses in the low $100,000 range portion of working families out of this added $35,000 to the cost of a new house would be a steal. "Things are very differ­ market? I don't think so." Jensen said her by the year 2020," she said. "We were able ent here," she explained. "This is a resort group spends the majority of its time lob­ to reduce that to $18,000. And while the town and our wages reflect that. A Jot of bying officials on housing issues. At any levy is still a significant figure, with the people are being priced right out of buy­ given moment, she said, elected councils help of the sales tax increase, it was sub- ing that first house." are considering fees that could raise the stantially reduced." •

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74 Nevada Business journal • june 1999 Luxury Import Automobiles Form, Function, Style and Status The new 2000 Mercedes S-Class sedan offers numerous innovations in t/:te safety, convenience and luxury categories unmatched by other vehicles in its price range. REVIEWED BY KATHLEEN fOLEY Lexus of Reno Fletcher Jones Imports Volvo of Las Vegas Reno 775-826-5050 Las Vegas 702-364-2700 Las Vegas 702-31 7-1000 lthough the LS400 was the model hy would anyone languish for olvos have a reputation for safety and A that put Lexus on the map, it is con­ W months on a waiting list for the V reliability, but what about excite­ stantly changing and improving in re­ opportunity of paying $80,000 to pur­ ment? In fact, the Volvo S80 T-6, with its sponse to customer surveys and techno­ chase a luxury car? Drive the new (Year 2.8-liter, six-cylinder, double overhead logical advances, and the 1999 model has 2000) Mercedes-Benz SSOO and find out. cam engine offers 268 nimble horses that a completely new engine. Beneath the ele­ It's equipped with every high-tech luxury will make you forget all about safety fac­ gant contours of the 1999 Lexus LS400 imaginable and a lot you'd never dream tors. Its adaptive four-speed automatic lies the thundering force of a 4.0-liter, of. Every 2000 S-Class provides a direct transmission with Geartronic option offers 290-horsepower V8 engine. Its continuous voice link through a dedicated cellular a choice between fully automatic opera­ "variable valve timing with intelligence" network to people who can help with any­ tion and manual gear changing for perfor­ (VVI-i) provides smooth, fuel-efficient thing from questions about the car to mance driving. STC traction control and running at any rpm. The advanced double emergency assistance. DSTC anti-skid technology provide an ex­ wishbone suspension not only enhances And what would a luxury 21st century ceptional level of traction and control handling but also keeps all four wheels car be without a satellite-based global po­ whether accelerating into traffic or taking firmly planted on the road. Lexus' traction sitioning system (GPS) to help you find a hard comer at speed. The sleek and func­ control system employs computerized sen­ the nearest freeway exit, Chinese restau­ tional interior reflects the Volvo's Scandi­ sors that optimize traction while accelerat­ rant or gas station? How about a clock navian design heritage. ing; Vehicle Skid Control senses wheel­ that adjusts via satellite as you enter a And of course, there are the safety fac­ slip while the car is turning, instantly new time zone? A driver's seat that mas­ tors: The S80, like all new Volvos, sur­ reducing engine power and applying the sages your lower back? The climate con­ rounds the driver and passengers with a appropriate brakes. trol notes where people are seated and special steel safety cage designed to main­ The cabin is luxurious as well as practi­ which seats are in the sun, then calculates tain its integrity under enormous stress. A cal. The ergonomic 14-way adjustable the best airflow pattern for everyone's side impact protection system includes re­ memory seat and dual-temperature zone comfort. Rear seat passengers enjoy six inforced steel and an inflatable curtain ex­ climate control make long drives a plea­ air outlets, their own climate control, ceil­ tending from the windshield pillar to the sure. The optional Lexus navigation sys­ ing-mounted vanity mirrors, reading rear pillar to protect the head from impact tem can locate your precise position with­ lamps and dual lumbar supports. in a side collision. A special Whiplash in a few feel anywhere in the world as well While reveling in the joy of being pam­ Protection System is designed to reduce as guiding you to your destination. Lexus pered, don't forget to actually take your whiplash injuries caused by rear-end colli­ emphasis on service after the sale is leg­ SSOO on the road. Its 302-horsepower, 5.0- sions. Jim Marsh offers preferred cus­ endary. In fact, J.D. Power and Associates liter V-8 engine has phenomenal pickup tomers a chance to borrow the S80 has ranked Lexus the number-one name­ and great cornering and can get you from overnight for a trial run. It's a safe bet to plate in its customer satisfaction study for 0 to 60 in 6.9 seconds. It's an experience bring you driving excitement. seven of the last eight years. worth waiting for. •

June 1999 • Nevada Business Journal -- EXECUTIVE PROFI LE

Charles McNeely

Seeing the possibilities

by DIANE GLAZMAN for Reno's future

"We have so much to eekends are hard for Reno's city manager, experience and expertise to bear in effecting offer here, and I don't WCharles McNeely, when he drives around changes the citizens and city council wanted. and sees everything that can be done to create the Speaking of the efforts that have gone into try­ think our problems kind of city where people want to live and ing to revitalize downtown Reno, McNeely says tourists want to visit. McNeely thinks in possibil­ the area "had 15 years of frustration with not ities, and laughs as he says his staff dreads Mon­ being able to make as much progress as the com­ are so great. We have days because that's when they hear all the ideas munity wanted. That intrigued me, because I felt he's come up with over the weekend. if I could come in and accomplish something to work as a com· Since becoming city manager three years ago, and make a difference here, that would be re­ thinking in terms of what is possible for Reno has warding," McNeely stated. munity to improve led McNeely to tackle some of the city's most dif­ A self-proclaimed product of the late 1960s, ficult problems- some of which date back sever­ McNeely says making a difference is the reason them, but they aren't al decades, such as decreasing the impact of the he entered local government. His first taste of railroad line running through Reno's downtown. civics carne on those occasions when he accom­ It was those challenges, as well as seeing the panied his great uncle to work. "[He] was the first obstacles we can't possibilities for downtown's black police chief in the state of Kansas. I used to redevelopment, that brought go down to city hall to visit him [and] I got a overcome." McNeely to Reno from chance to see what he did as police chief, but I Seaside, Calif. He says was more fascinated with his boss, who was the - CHARLES MCN EELY he initially decided city manager. I thought 'Ah, here's something I against applying for think I'd like doing,"' McNeely remembered. the position, but McNeely earned a master's in public adminis­ changed his mind after tration from the University of Kansas, acknowl­ talking to people about edged as one of the top schools in the country for the city. He became ex- training future city managers. From there, he cited about the challenges went to work for the city of Palo Alto, Calif. Due of the community and to the influence and resources of Stanford Uni­ the opportunity to versity and Silicon Valley, Palo Alto is one of the his most innovative local governments in the coun­ try. The town has been at the forefront of many current trends in governing, such as community policing and drug education programs. Not sur­ prisingly, Palo Alto's city management is on the cutting edge of computer technology as well. In addition, McNeely said the manager he worked for was a tremendous mentor for many of the employees. "I used to get thrown into sit­ uations just because my boss felt it was a good opportunity for me to learn, and after I finished Continued on page 78

76 Nevada Business journal • june 1999 AT THE TOP

Silver State Bank

Henderson-based community bank

by ALLEN GRANT gives back to its neighbors

When Henderson U w e support the Henderson community be- than doubled in their numbers since 1991. "Hen­ cause we do business here and live here," derson is a good, viable market," declared Little. needed a banking said Tod Little, chairman and CEO of Silver State "We're here to stay and serve the community." institution to step in Bank. ''Henderson is as important to us as Silver Serving banking consumers' needs is some­ State Bank. We're based here and we want to give thing the people of Silver State Bank understand. and provide a stable back to the community as well as prosper here." With more than 30 combined years of banking Specializing in small business customers and industry service, Little and Corey Johnson commitment to the entry-level home loans, Silver State Bank officials opened Silver State Bank's first branch in Hen­ said they were excited about the prospects of giv­ derson in July 1996, part of a recent wave of city's downtown and ing something back to the Henderson community small community banks established in Southern and its neighbors. The city redevelopment plan Nevada that are capitalizing on the region's ac­ its 30-year downtown provided the perfect opportunity. As part of its re­ tive small business environment. While most of development program, Henderson is encouraging the community banks entering the market situat­ redevelopment plan, businesses, developers and cultural entities to re­ ed operations in Las Vegas, Little and Johnson main committed to the area: When another bank­ saw opportunity in Las Vegas' southern suburb. Silver State Bank was ing institution recently pulled out, Silver State "We looked at Henderson because it didn't really Bank filled the vacancy and adopted its responsi­ have any local community banks," Little recalled. ready and willing. bilities to the city's residents, which have more Since its opening, Silver State Bank has ex­ panded to four branches, with three in Hender­ son and one in Las Vegas. The bank also oper­ ates loan production offices in Reno and Boise, Idaho. In another sign of the bank's growth and success, its first quarter report shows a 266 per­ cent increase in net income for the quarter ended March 31 , 1999 over the quarter ended March 31, 1998. According to Little, Silver State Bank now has $165 million in total assets and has grown from five to 50 employees. "We've grown extremely fast and taken advantage of a very good economy," Little explained. "Another bank­ ing institution would close a branch and we would take that spot. It just made sense for us to expand that way." Seeking effective growth opportunities is only part of Silver State Bank's success strategy. Ac­ cording to Little, clients enjoy many advantages when dealing with a community bank rather than a larger fmancial institution. "A business person can deal directly with decision makers at Officers and managers of Henderson-based Silver State Bank at the site of its our bank," he said. "We live here and we know newest branch. the territory. We provide a much quicker turn-

June 1999 • Nevada Business journal 77 Silver State Bank Charles McNeely Playing. Continued from previous page Continued from page 76 1S around on loans - sometimes within 24 My Life hours. We offer value-added service and "One of the issues we were we give advice to our clients. We bring That's Why I more than just money to the table." not addressing as aggressively Love Gymboree! Many of the benefits of doing business with the bank are directly derived from its Experts say that as we could is really expanding playing is the best focus on customer satisfaction. Little way for children to credits the company's "simple" customer learn about life. service philosophy of building strong rela­ our cultural programs. The 1bat'swhy Gymboree's tionships with clients for its success. "Our developmental play philosophy is to provide high-touch, per­ more I get out in the communi- programs for sonalized, superior customer service. The newborns through 4 year-olds include advantage of banking with us revolves over 40 pieces of around our size," Little asserted. "With ty and meet people, the more I colorful play larger banks, small businesses and indi­ equipment, upbeat music and viduals can get lost. Customers can be for­ see that's one of their thirsts." movement and gotten. Our niche is primarily small busi­ creative games in ness and entry-level home loans. With us, an exciting atmosphere. Call customers receive the individualized at­ he would call me back into his office 877-0074 today to tention they need." and say, 'Okay, what did you learn?'" schedule a FREE Though it's a community bank oriented After working in Palo Alto for 10 years, preview class! toward smaller companies, Silver State of­ McNeely became city manager of Sea­ fers a complete slate of products and pro­ side, Calif. at the age of 32. GYMBOREE. grams. A full-service bank, Silver State Now in Reno, McNeely says he has

918 S. Valley View 7450 W. Cheyenne depends on its employees to provide the some very specific ideas of what he would 877-0074 395-6336 bank's customers with proper service. Al­ like to accomplish. In addition to depress­ though employees go through a training ing the railroad tracks that run through process, Little said the ability to provide downtown - something that has taken great customer service is "something you more than a year of negotiation with Union IT'S IN THE (e) MAIL either have 'or don' t have. We hire em­ Pacific- and making staff more responsive If you wish to contact ployees who have it." to citizen needs, McNeely would also like Ensuring it hires and retains the em­ to see Reno's downtown become a thriving NEVADA BUSINESS JOURNAL, ployees so vital to fulfilling its customer center for business and culture. "Coming you may send your com­ service mission, Silver State Bank offers in the door, one of the issues we were not ments to the appropriate its staff stock options as a show of appre­ as addressing as aggressively as we could e-mail address below. ciation and an effort to foster teamwork. is really expanding our cultural programs. "We want all our employees to receive op­ The more I get out in the community and NEW/CHANGE OF ADDRESS/ tions, because it gives them a stake in our meet people, the more I see that's one of RENEWAL future," Little said. "It's a team here and their thirsts," McNeely observed, adding [email protected] nothing could be accomplished without that he would also like to see arts programs ADVERTISING REQUESTS their participation." extend into neighborhood parks as well. In [email protected] Silver State Bank's reputation recently addition, he wants to develop a long-range LETTERS TO THE PUBLISHER earned it preferred lender status with the plan assessing at where the communi£) [email protected] Small Business Administration, one of will be 15 or 20 years in the future so the LETTERS TO THE ASSOC. PUBLISHER only two banks in the area to earn such a city has the financial resources to accom­ [email protected] designation, according to Little. "We plish that vision. make our own credit decisions in-house Above all, McNeely is committed to the LETTERS TO THE EDITOR [email protected] and don' t need prior acceptance from a city and the community, something evi­ bigger, out-of-town institution." dent in the intensity with which he speaks. PRESS RELEASES/STORY IDEAS A city's business community plays a "We have so much to offer here, and I [email protected] crucial role in its downtown vibrancy. If don't think our problems are so great. ·we GENERAL INFORMATION the success and giving philosophy of have to work as a community to improve [email protected] Silver State Bank are any harbinger of them, but they aren't obstacles we can· TOPRANK NEVADA the future, Henderson will benefit for overcome," he says. And come next Mon­ www.topranknevada.com years to come from the interest and dedi­ day, he'll be walking into his office with cation of businesses like it. • more ideas on how to do just that. •

78 Ne.ada Business journal • june 1999 Don't gamble with Nevada's economy

by SHELLEY BERKLEY (D-Nev.)

Some of those who organized the GISC • state personal income tax ; "Hundreds of thousands of hoped their fishing expedition would justi­ • state corporate income tax (measured fy onerous federal regulation and federal by net income); jobs are at stake, as well taxes as a means to eliminate legal gaming • state sales tax on food; in every state in the country. We are fortu­ • state inheritance tax; as the principle that state nate that through the work of Senators • state gift tax. Richard Bryan and Harry Reid, as well as We don't know how much of a problem and local governments former Governor Bob Miller, the commis­ the final report will be, but I am watching sion includes balanced views about legal for any legislation with the potential to hurt should regulate licensed gaming. Top iabor leader John Wilhelm, Nevada's economy. I'm fighting to stop former Nevada Gaming Control Board proposals for burdensome and unnecessary Chairman Bill Bible and MGM Executive accounting procedures that some Washing­ industries, and Washington Terrence Lanni have offered their well­ ton bureaucrats would like to impose on informed views about gaming and pre­ our hotels and their patrons. I'm confident should keep its hands off." vented the commission from becoming the efforts of our delegation to defeat a fed­ simply an anti-gaming witch hunt. eral tax on the meals hotels provide em­ he National Gambling Impact Study What's at stake are hundreds of thou­ ployees will be defeated. I'm also adamant­ Commission (NGISC) is due to issue sands of jobs in Nevada and around the ly opposed to IRS withholding on various Tits final report in mid-June. So far, the country. Also at stake is the principle that casino games as has been proposed. NGISC has repeatedly pronounced the ob­ state and local governments should regu­ The gaming and resort industry provided vious: legal, regulated gaming is a boon, late licensed industries like gaming, and a ladder of opportunity for me and my fam­ not a burden, to Nevada. Jobs are produced Washington should keep its meddling ily. My father worked at a Las Vegas Strip and families supported by the gaming in­ hands off. In 1997, Nevada's hospitality resort for 30 years. I worked as a keno run­ dustry, and pathological or problem gam­ and gaming industry directly employed ner and a server at several Las Vegas re­ blers amount to less than 1 percent of the 307,500 people, more than a third of our sorts, and the gaming industry helped sup­ U.S. adult population. The industry itself is total workforce. As of 1995, it was directly port me through my college years at UNLV taking aggressive steps to assist problem and indirectly responsible for 60 percent of and law school. I will not allow a small but gamblers in getting the help they need. the statewide employment total. vocal minority on Capitol Hill to under­ The NGISC was formed and pushed The gaming industry doesn'tjust employ mine the economy of Nevada, cost us thou­ through Congress by people opposed to people; it allows Nevadans to enjoy a high sands of jobs and ruin the lives of tax­ gambling. A handful of small but powerful standard of living without the burdensome paying productive citizens. For decades, anti-gaming forces in Congress established taxes imposed in other states. The gaming Nevada's state-regulated gaming industry a battlefield for the Nevada delegation and industry's total contribution to federal, has been a model of economic develop­ other states that depend on tourism state and local taxes is estimated to be $2.2 ment, and I'll fight to protect my district's economies and benefit from legal, well­ billion a year. These contributions mean position as the "Entertainment Capital of regulated gaming. Nevadans don't pay, among other fees: the World." •

June 1999 • Nevada Business Journal 79 Nevada's Anointed Few by Michael Sullivan Does the shadow government really "If helping and working to elect good candidates - like Richard make a difference at the polls? Bryan, Bob Miller, Myrna

Williams and many others who 1998, labor unions showed billionaire Shel­ races and we knew all the issues backward don Adelson it doesn't matter how much and forward, we were always able to over­ believe in this state - makes money you spend attacking candidates. If come their tremendous money advantage." me a member of the shadow you can't get the voters out of their homes One argument I've heard before is that and into a voting booth, then you may as the gaming and development interests government, then I am extreme- well throw the money in the fireplace. should have a strong stake in these politi­ ly proud of that membership." Volunteers can also be a strong factor in cal contests. After all, they have a lot on electing candidates. In 1997, Henderson the line. The very fate of their businesses

-JIM JOYCE, POLITICAL CONSULTANT Mayor Jim Gibson proved it's still possible is decided by the daily decisions of the to assemble an effective volunteer organi­ candidates who gain office. y old boss and mentor, the late Jim zation when he surprised everyone and In addition, the people who run these Joyce, had an interesting way of took that city's top position in the primary. firms also have families here, so they have Mdescribing what some have called This year's Las Vegas mayoral race is a a vested interest in getting the right person "the politics of anointment." good example of a case where anointing a to fill a particular post. I have always been At the time Joyce uttered those words, candidate doesn't always work. Most of impressed with the efforts of The Howard in 1992, "shadow government" was the the major players were not in support of Hughes Company in helping to select and media's favorite term for a host of consul- Goodman, favoring Councilman Arnie support candidates. Mark Brown, head of tants and powerbrokers accused of pulling Adamsen after their first choice, Jay Bing­ political affairs for the company, grew up all the strings in Nevada's political scene. ham, dropped out for health reasons. How­ here and has strong roots in the communi­ Not unlike today, it was thought that this ever, Adamsen ran what most experts de­ ty. He's responsible for locating potential handful of people somehow manipulated scribe as one of the worst campaigns in candidates for the company to endorse - the system by controlling a candidate's recent memory, allowing Goodman to someone who will work with his company lifeblood - political contributions. come within 277 votes of winning the of­ once elected to office. But he also has an Not much has changeq in the media fice in the primary. obligation to his family to make sure that since those days. The anointment process Even with all the support in the world, a person does a good job regardless of his or was assailed during the 1998 election candidate still must run a solid race to her position on Hughes' business. campaign, as gubernatorial candidate convince voters he or she is right for the Several other people who are said to be Kenny Guinn successfully shut off thou­ job. The candidate must also appropriately part of the anointment process feel the sands of dollars from other potential can­ represent the issues important to future same way and act accordingly when didates, forcing some to re-think their hole constituents. Even with $10 million to choosing which candidates their respec­ card and stay out of the race. spend, it is hard to elect a staunch conser­ tive companies will support. What I've never quite understood is the vative in a strongly liberal district. illtimately, is the politics of anointment media's fascination with this phenomenon Along those same lines, often the peo­ bad for Nevada politics? If you believe that and whether they are even correct in their ple accused of anointing candidates don't Nevada is currently in very bad shape polit­ assumption that a few select people could really have the time to spend to make sure ically, then I guess you might answer yes. control the politics in Nevada. those candidates get elected. Longtime However, if that were the case, I don't be­ My feeling is that, like all good conspir­ Southern Nevada political consultant Kent lieve the Silver State would lead the nation acy theories, this one doesn't quite ring Oram said that early in his career, he used in growth. All these people that were elect­ true. While consultants and lobbyists play to relish taking on the powerful interests in ed under the supposed anointment process a role in deciding the outcome of a cam­ an election. "They were trying to support must be doing something right. • paign, they are not the only force - and so many candidates, to influence so many perhaps not even the most powerful force. races, that they were often unable to take Michael Sullivan is the president Organized labor has proven it's a major the time to defeat one or two candidates," Paladin Advertising, a Las Vegas political player in moving voters to the polls. In he says. "Because we could focus on those consulting and government affairs firm.

80 Nevada Business journal • June 1999 The Virtual Ollice Project

is pending in this current legislative ses­ Each session can be considered a tele­ sion and rules have been adopted. It is phone call that was answered immediate­ clear to me that digital signature technol­ ly without busy signals or human delays. ogy is an important component in facili­ The use of e-commerce to conduct busi­ tating electronic commerce. It has the po­ ness will allow us to progress beyond the tential for raising customer satisfaction, limitations of ordinary mail, courier deliv­ providing 24-hour online access to infor­ ery, fax and telephone. by Secretary of State Dean Heller mation, improving office efficiency, low­ Other applications we plan to process ering costs and reducing the number of via electronic filings include corporate ne of the goals I set when elected paper-based transactions. name reservations, annual lists of officers, Secretary of State was to improve How does this work? The legislation new business formations, amendments, 0 the process of incorporating Ne­ and rules provide that electronically voter registrations, election campaign re­ vada-based businesses and to reach beyond signed documents will have the same porting and expanded securities licensing our borders to encourage new companies to force and effect as paper documents filed and registrations. Digital signatures also select Nevada for incorporation. Such in­ with a manual signature so long as the open the way to other government agen­ corporations are an important revenue electronic signature meets the same crite­ cies to use the technology in their pro­ source for our state and can influence com­ ria. A signature must be (1) unique to the grams. Examples might include: panies to locate job-creating facilities here. person using it, ·(2) capable of verification, • Motor vehicles - online renewal of The first step toward this goal was the Vir­ (3) under the sole control of the person vehicle and drivers licenses; tual Office Project (VOP), a plan to bring using it, and, (4) if the signature is altered, • Purchasing - electronic response new technologies into our office. The first it is invalid as a forgery. Digital signatures to bids; public step toward that concept was open­ meet these criteria when they are validat­ • Education - student record transfers; ing our new Web page in March of 1998. ed by a licensed certifying authority and • Personnel - online submission of Initially, the Web page offered corporate received via the Internet. employment applications; searches, but was expanded to report elec­ Presently, e-comrnerce flows easily • Conservation and Natural Resources tion returns via the Internet last fall. across national and international bound­ - hunting and fishing license renewal; The most recent addition to our VOP aries, and is becoming a commonly used • Legislature - online bill review and provides users with corporate filing forms method of transacting business. Accord­ approval; they can download directly from the Web ing to our records, nearly half the corpo­ • Business and Industry - insurance page. Future Web site upgrades include rations registered in Nevada are based claim submission. accepting payment of fees and allowing outside the state, and our friendly incor­ These are a few examples indicating resident agents to modify corporate infor­ poration laws are attracting more compa­ how e-cornmerce can modernize the mation all done online from your own nies each year. With the availability of processes of government and improve ser­ computer. In a later phase, we will accept digital signatures and online filing, this vices to our citizens. The Virtual Office documents filed online, but this requires number should grow significantly. An in­ Project has already improved our cus­ the use and acceptance of digital signa­ dication of the potential for e-comrnerce is tomer service through better information tures, i.e., a way to "sign" the documents found in the use of our Web site since its management and retrieval. We are build­ to be filed. inception last March: ing on that by utilizing new technologies Nevada adopted legislation regarding • 500,000-plus sessions on the Web site; to broaden and improve the functioning of digital signatures in 1997, and assigned • 25,000 corporate forms downloaded; the office. Our Web site address is the duty of adopting and implementing • 55 percent of the traffic is from out­ www.sos.state.nv.us. I'd like your feed­ regulations concerning the acceptance of side Nevada; back, so contact me on the Web site or by digital signatures by state agencies to the • 6 percent of Web site traffic is from more conventional means, and tell me Secretary of State. Follow-up legislation international locations (57 countries). what you think. •

June 1999 • Nevada Business Journal 81 Selecting the Right Retirement Plan lor Your Business

nvesting in retirement plans offers may offer matching contributions. Em­ BECAUSE KEOGH RETIREMENT small business owners a great opportu­ ployers who offer 401(k) plans must meet nity to save taxes and build retirement stringent nondiscrimination rules requiring I PLANS ALLOW LARGER ANNUAL wealth. That's because contributions to a that a sufficient percentage of non-highly­ qualified retirement plan are deductible compensated workers participate. CONTRIBUTIONS- AS MUCH AS from current income, and the income gen­ erated by investments in a retirement plan 25 PERCENT OF ELIGIBLE INCOME, Simplified Employment accumulate tax-free until withdrawn. De­ Pension (SEP) Plans spite these benefits, small businesses can ON A TAX-DEFERRED BASIS- still face challenges in determining which n a SEP plan, the employer makes de­ is the best plan for them. ductible contributions to IRAs set up by THEY ARE POPULAR WITH HIGH- I employees. Employees do not contribute-to a SEP, but employers who make contribu­ SIMPLE IRAs EARNING BUSINESS OWNERS. tions for themselves must make contribu­ o encourage small business owners to tions to all employees who meet age and Tprovide retirement benefits for their each employee's contribution (up to 3 per­ years-of-service tests. The maximum con­ workers, The Small Business Job Protec­ cent of the employee's wages) or make a tribution is 15 percent of compensation (up tion Act of 1996 created the SIMPLE (Sav­ flat contribution equal to 2 percent of each to $160,000), or $30,000, whichever is ings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) eligible employee's pay (regardless of less. Contribution levels are flexible and IRA - a retirement plan without the com­ whether or not the employee contributes can be adjusted (within limits) each year as plex nondiscrimination rules and reporting to the plan). Once the money is in the long as there is no discrimination among requirements of other retirement plans. plan, the SIMPLE IRA works much like a the way employees' plans are funded. There SIMPLE IRAs are generally available to traditional IRA. are no annual reporting requirements as businesses with 100 or fewer employees. there are for Keoghs and some other quali­ These employees must have received at 401 lkl Plans fied retirement plans, making SEPs relative­ least $5,000 in compensation from the em­ ly easy to set up and administer. ployer in the previous year. Eligible em­ lthough generally more complicated ployees are those that can reasonably be Aand expensive to administer than other Keogh Plans expected to earn at least $5,000 for the plans, 401(k) plans are popular retirement current year and who received at least programs. A typical 40l (k) plan allows ith a Keogh plan, a sole proprietor, $5,000 in compensation during any two employees to contribute a pre-tax portion Wpartner, or limited liability company preceding years. of their earnings. Participants can decide member can set aside as much as 25 per­ SIMPLE IRAs are funded through a each year whether and how much they cent of eligible income, or $30,000, combination of employer and employee want to contribute (within tax code limits). whichever is less, on a tax-deferred basis. contributions. For 1999, employees can For 1999, the maximum that can be con­ When you establish a Keogh plan for your­ contribute up to $6,000 of net earnings. tributed to a 40l(k) is the lesser of 25 per­ self, all eligible employees must be includ­ The business owner must either match cent of earnings or $10,000. Employers ed in the plan on a nondiscriminatory basis.

82 Nevada Business Journal • June 1999 There are two types of Keogh plans: A money purchase plan that requires a mandatory contribution level each year re­ gardless of whether the business shows a profit, and a profit-sharing plan in which contribution levels may change each year. Because Keoghs allow larger annual con­ tributions, they are popular with high­ earning business owners.

Making the Right Choice

n determining which retirement plan is Ithe best for you and your business, it is important that you clearly identify your objectives and carefully consider a num­ ber of factors. • The cost to cover employees - If you have few or no employees, you can base your decision primarily on which plan will be most beneficial to you. On the other hand, businesses with a large number of employees must consider the costs involved in covering employees and determine the extent to which tax advantages offset these costs. • The level of complexity-You also need to consider the complexity of the plan and the reporting requirements. SIMPLE IRAs and SEPs are easier to set up and Informative editorial features, maintain than Keoghs and 401 (k)s. up-to-date news, and an all • When you expect to retire - The closer inclusive look at business you are to retirement, the greater the statewide. lf you're trying need to select the retirement plan option to read the pulse of Nevada that will allow you to contribute as Business - you need to read much as possible. the Nevada Business Journal! • Contribution requirements - If your business has good and bad years, you SUBSCRIBE Now FOR JUST might want to steer clear of plans, such $44.00 FOR ONE FULL YEAR as the SIMPLE IRA and the Keogh {26% OFF THE COVER PRICE) Money Purchase Plan, that require an­ nual contributions. Two YEARS Is JUST $73.00 Selecting the right retirement plan can {38% OFF THE COVER PRICE) have far-reaching and long-lasting effects on your retirement and your business. A Fax Order: (702) 733-5953 certified public accountant can help select the best plan to suit your needs. • Phone Order: (702) 735-7003 Web Order: Prepared by the Nevada Society of Certi­ www.nevadabusiness.com fied Public Accountants

june 1999 • 1\evada Business journal To pRank Nevada STATEWIDE BOOK OF LISTS BOOK~LISTS www.topranknevada.com June 1999 Auto Dealers, Golf Courses Post Strong Growth; Hospitals, 'Ifade Groups Stagnate Featured Lists strong economy brought automobile many hospitals, occupancy rates have AUTOMOBILE DEALERSHIPS ••••••• 84 dealers robust growth in gross sales dropped just as Nevada remains the nation's Avolume over the last year. None of fastest growing state. This should represent PROFESSIONAL the dealers appearing in TopRank over the a source of concern in a state where poor ASSOCIATIONS •••.••.••••••.••••..••••.• 85 last two years lost sales volume. The fac­ access to healthcare is already a serious tors behind such consistent upward per­ problem, and where population growth con­ HOSPITALS ••.•.•••••••••.••••.••• ••• ••••.• 86 formance likely include the sustained in­ tinues to outstrip any ability to keep up with flux of population into Nevada and necessary community services. GOLF COURSES •••••••••••••••••...... 88 economic optimism among residents of a Professional and trade organizations also WOMAN-OWNED state where overall unemployment is posted flattening or dropping rates - in this BUSINESSES ••••••••••••••••.••.••••••••• 92 below 4 percent. case, membership numbers have either Golf courses continue to flourish across stabilized or fallen for most in our survey. the state, a trend that fits in well with the That is an unusual development for a Coming in July state's desire to attract non-gaming business community experiencing such tourists. Tourism officials from the Reno rapid expansion; perhaps many of Neva­ COMMERCIAL PRINTERS area, in particular, hope to make first-class da's newest businesspeople would find golfing opportunities a centerpiece of strong advantages in availing themselves of CREDIT UNIONS travel diversification. With the number of the benefits these groups provide. new courses joining the state's more ven­ This month's edition offers TopRank GROUP HEALTH PLANS erable greens, Nevada will indeed attract Nevada's first compilation of woman-owned INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS growing numbers of golfers. businesses. The list is substantial, and shows This month's list of hospitals reveals an that woman entrepreneurs play an important OFFICE BUILDINGS interesting dichotomy between population role in contributing to Nevada's economic growth and hospital occupancy rates. For strength and diversification. • Automobile Dealerships Ranked by 1998 Gross Sales Volume

z~ AUTOMOBILE DEALER PHONE 1998 GROSS IUNrrs SaLo l NV EMPL. SENIOR NV EXECLITIVE(S) < ADDRESS WEBS ITf!E·MAIL SALES VOLUME NEW USED YR. EST. MANUFAOURERS REPRESENTED SALES MANAGER(S) "" Findlay Automotive Group 702-558-8888 $235,639 ,000 6,087 5,553 575 Saturn , Oldsmobile, Subaru, Cliff Findlay 310 N. Gibson Rd., Henderson 89014 findlayolds.com 1961 Toyota, Saab, Honda Tyler Corder Friendly Ford 702 ·877-6575 181 ,703 ,678 6,212 3,644 350 Ford Steve Olliges 660 N. Decatur Blvd , Las Vegas 89107 friendlyfordlv.com 1970 Burl Bise 3 Lithia Automotive of Reno 775-851-5000 95,504,305 2,817 2,276 150 lsuzu, Lincoln-Mercury, Audi, Tim Donnelly 7175 S. Virginia St., Reno 89511 DND 1997 Suzuki, Volkswagen Ken Konakis 4 Chaisson Motor Cars 702 ·871-1010 89,347 ,333 1,461 1,110 143 BMW, Land Rover, Rolls Royce, Jim Chaisson, Jr. 2333 S. Decatur Blvd. , Las Vegas 89102 DND 1983 VW, Audi Dale Workman 5 Reno Toyota/Lexus/Mazda/Kia 775-826-2750 75,000,000 . 1.400 1,800 165 Toyota, Lexus, Mazda, Kia Tom Dolan 2100 Kietzke Ln. , Reno 89502 DND 1960 Steve Katzmann 6 Cashman Cadillac 702-641-0313 49,000,000 660 611 116 Cadillac, Catera Timothy Cashman PO Box 2080, Las Vegas 89125 vegascadillac.com 1910 J. Scheinbaum/T. Braziii / B. Bixler 7 Cadillac West 702-641-0313 31 ,000,000 392 482 50 Cadillac, Calera Timothy Cashman PO Box 2080, Las Vegas 89125 vegascadillac.com 1910 Sydney Young/Ron Kolek 8 Streeter Imports 775-322-3700 24,331 ,051 431 651 54 Nissan , Mercedes·Benz Fred Streeter 865 Kietzke Ln. , Reno 89501 streeterimports.com 1990 Todd Mohr 9 Lee Bros. Leasing, Inc. 775-322-6937 10,800,000 "300 *500 14 All makes and models Michael Lee 550 Kietzke Ln., Reno 8951 0 [email protected] 1953 M. Cassinghan, C. Ceramini 10 Ely Ford Lincoln Mercury, Inc. 800·253·4161 7,811 ,000 175 209 16 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury Karl Lee 295 Aultman St. , Ely 89301 [email protected] 1974 Karl Lee 11 Harvey W. Young Co., Inc. 775-289-4473 2,500,000 100 50 10 Chrysler, Plymouth , Dodge, Harvey W. Young, Jr. 585 N. McGill Hwy, Ely 89301 DND 1944 Jeep Matthew Thompson 12 Capitol Ford-Mercury 775·882-5353 900,000 100 60 85 Ford , Mercury Dick Campagni 3660 S. Carson St. , Carson City 89701 DND 1925 Ackie Brazil N/A Abaca of Nevada 702-642-4747 DND DND DND 5 EMPI, IMC, lAP, Bugpack Nick Moretti 1850 Losee Rd ., North Las Vegas 89030 [email protected] 1970 Lisa Caffrey N/A Fallon Auto Mall 800-227-6255 N/ A N/ A N/A 48 Ford , Mercury, Toyota, Dodge- Kurt Henning 1351 W. Williams Ave., Fallon 89406 fallonautomall.com 1957 JEEP, Chrysler-Plymouth Jim Nix N/A Fuccillo Subaru 702 -878-1914 DND DND DND 12 Subaru Billy Fuccillo 1616 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas 89102 fuccillo@wizard .com 1996 John Camilleri N/A Goddard's Auto Sales 775-738-9222 DND 0 322 5 All makes and models Bill Goddard 913 Idaho St. , Elko 89801 DND 1983 Bill Goddard DND ; Did not disclose "Leased BOOK~LISTS [iii:m Note: The above information was supplied by representatives of the listed companies in response to faxed survey fonns. Companies not appearing did not respond. To the best of our knowledge, the information is acrurate as of press time. OF ' While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and thoroughness. errors and omissions do occur. Send corrections or additions on company letterhead to TopRank Nevada Statewide Book of Lists, Research Dept., 2127 Paradise Rd., LV. NV 89104.

84 Nevada Business journal • june 1999 TopRankiNevada STAT EWIDE BOOK OF LISTS Professional Associations Ranked by Total Nevada Members SENIOR NV EXEcunvE PROFESSIONAL AsSOCIATION PHONE MEMBERSHIP HEADQUARTERS "'z ADDRESS INDUSTRY(IES) "' WEBSITEIE-MAIL ANNUAL DUES REPR ESENTED DESCRIPTION YR. EST. IN NV "' Utility Shareholders Association of Nevada, Inc. 775-882-8484 25,000 Shareholders of Represents Nevada Power's and Sierra Pacific Resources' sharehold- Joyce Newman PO Box 1823, Carson City 89702 DND Nevada's Electric ers and strives for balance in legislation and regulation affecting Carson City [email protected] Utilities Nevada's investor-owned energy utilities 1982 Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors 702-732·8177 5,000+ Real Estate Membership organization for real estate professionals Judie Woods 1750 E. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas 89104 $100 Professionals Las Vegas [email protected] 1947 3 Nevada Association for the Handicapped 702-870-7050 5,000 Disability Provides broad support services to persons with disabilities and Vince Triggs 6200 W. Oakey Blvd., Las Vegas 89146 $1-$1,000 Services disability groups las Vegas nah-hs.org 1978 4 Nevada Casino Dealers Association 702-474-9766 4,100 Gaming Dealers lobbyist group Tony Badillo 1067 Griffith Ave., Las Vegas 89104 $25 DND nevcda.com/[email protected] 1989 5 Better Business Bureau of Southern Nevada, Inc. 702-320-4500 3,000 All Private, non-profi1 org. , that disseminates information to consumers Sylvia Campbell 5595 Spring Mountain Rd. , Las Vegas 89146 Variable concerning businesses in So. NV; other major functions indude arbi- Las Vegas vegasbbb.org/[email protected] !ration, advocacy programs, outreach and consumer education 1955 6 Nevada Society of CPAs 1,600 Certified Public Non-profit org. dedicated to promoting and maintaining high stan- Dianne Ruud 5250 Neil Rd. , Ste. 205, Reno 89502 775-826-6800 up to $155 Accountants/ dards of integrity and competence within accounting profession; Reno 333 N. Rancho Dr., Ste. 895, Las Vegas 89106 702-647-9560 Non-Profit also safeguards interests of general public and CPAs in the practice 1947 nevadacpa.org of accountancy 7 Washoe County Bar Association 775-786-4494 1,150 Attorneys Professional association dedicated to furthering professionalism, DND PO Box 1548, Reno 89505 $55-$105 ethics, and service in the practice of law Reno wcbar.org 1906 8 Clark County Medical Society 702-739-9989 925 Physicians, Med- Non-profit trade association to serve the needs of physicians, their Lisa Puleo 2590 E. Russell Rd. , Las Vegas 89120 $740' ical Drs., Drs. of patients and the Clark County community with responsibility and Las Vegas [email protected] Osteopathy integrity 1955 9 Clark County Assn. of School Administrators 702-796-9602 764 Education Collective bargaining representative for CCSD administrators; Allin Chandler 4055 S. Spencer St., Ste. 230, Las Vegas 89119 $420 contract enforcement; administration of trust fund for life las Vegas [email protected] insurance, other benefit programs 1972 10 Southern Nevada Home Builders Association 702-794-0117 750 Home Bu ilding Trade association protecting neighborhood builders, their industry Irene Porter 3685 S. Pecos-Mcleod Rd. , Las Vegas 89121 $750-$1,000 Industry and future, and that of the community Las Vegas snhba.org 1954 11 Nevada Dental Association 702-255-4211 700 Dentists Professional organization representing dentists throughout the state Maury Astley 6889 W. Charleston Blvd., Ste. B, Las Vegas 89117 DND of Nevada Las Vegas nvda.org 1918 12 AlA Las Vegas/ AlA Nevada 702-895-0936 600 Architecture DND Randy Lavigne UNLV Box 454018 $231-$562 Las Vegas 4505 Maryland Pkwy. , Las Vegas 89154 1956 aianevada.org 600 a 12 Casino Management Association 702-593-5477 $100 Gaming Professional trade association setting professional standards for the Marc Weiswasser 3172 N. Rainbow Blvd., Ste. 254, LV 89108 casino industry Las Vegas cmaweb.org/[email protected] 1994 14 Nevada Development Authority 702-791-0000 550 Economic Private, not-for-profit organization assisting corporations in Somer Hollingsworth 3773 Howard Hughes Pkwy., Ste. 140 So., 89109 Variable Development relocation/expansion to the Southern Nevada area to help Las Vegas www.nevadadevelopment.org diversify the economy 1956 15 Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors of NV, Inc. 702·252-0166 500+ Plumbing and Represents plumbing/mechanical, residential/commercial contrac- Sherry L. Hernandez 3650 Meade Ave., Las Vegas 89102 $500+ Mechanical tors; affiliated with the national PMCC, the oldest trade association las Vegas pmcn.com Contractors in the nation 1980 15 Associated Builders & Contractors 775-358-7888 500 Construction An association of builders and contractors promoting the open Donn Simons 740 Freeport, Ste. 101 , Sparks 89431 $490-$11,000 shop or merit shop philosophy Rosslyn , VA www.abcsierranv.org 1976 15 Nevada Apartment Association 702-547-3550 500 Multi-housing To protect & enhance the economic vitality of the Nevada rental Victoria Knight P.O. Box 97975, Las Vegas 89193 Variable Property Owners, housing industry by providing professional services & quality las Vegas DND Landlords, Mgrs programs through education, communication & involvement. 1963 18 Assoc. General Contractors-Las Vegas Chapter 702-796-9986 450 Construction, Professional, non-profit association run by contractors for the Steve Holloway 4052 S. Industrial Rd ., Las Vegas 89103 DND Development benefit of its building, highway, heavy industrial, municipal and Las Vegas agclv.com Trades utility construction contractor member companies 1945 19 Nevada Association of Employers 775-329-4241 350 All types of Non-profit Northern Nevada employers association providing Art Peterson 487 Casazza Dr., Reno 89502 Based on no. industry human resource services/labor relations guidance/supervisory Reno [email protected] of employees training 1938 20 Associated General Contractors, Nevada Chapter 775-329-6116 250 Construction Construction trade association John Madole PO Box 40697, Reno 89504 $600-$3 ,980 Reno [email protected] 1939 21 Nevada Manufacturers Association 775-882-6662 230 Manufacturing Trade association for manufacturing companies Ray Bacon 780 Pawnee St., Carson City 89705 $250-$2,500 of all types Carson City [email protected] 1975 22 National Assn. of Purchasing 150 Procurement/ To provide educational opportunities for supply chain professionals Bramby Tollen, CPM Management-Southern Nevada 702-799-5225 $95-$145 Supply Chain Las Vegas 1120 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Ste. 296, LV 89104 Professionals 1983 napmsn.org/ [email protected] 23 National Assn. of Women Business Owners 702-598-3135 140 Women 8usi - Dues-based organization to promote the wealth-creating capacity Nancy McRight PO Box 15064, Las Vegas 89114 $275 ness Owners Las Vegas nawbolasvegas.org 1991 24 Northern NV Center for Independent Living, Inc. 775-353·3599 90+ Non-profit To provide support services including independent Jiving skills training, Scott Youngs 999 Pyramid Way, Sparks 89431 $10-$250 Agency info. and referral, peer counseling, advocacy, home modification, deaf Sparks medtech-services.com svcs. , transportation training and recreation for persons with disabilities 1982 25 Nevada Telecommunications Association 775-827-0191 57 Telecommuni- Trade association of telecommunications providers; non-profit Don Mello PO Box 70670, Reno 89502 $600-$12,000 cations group, delivers two scholarships per year Reno [email protected] 1958 26 Nevada Assn. of Hospitals & Health Systems 775-827 ·0184 49 Hospitals/ Membership organization of hospitals serving as a statewide Bill M. Welch 4600 Kietzke Ln., Ste. A-108, Reno 89502 DND Healthcare resource and leader in promoting public understanding of, and Reno nahhs.org support for, the healthcare system serving Nevada's communities. 1960 DND = Did not disclose 'Includes Nevada State Medical Assn. Dues- must join both BOOK~LISTS rnm Note: The above information was supplied by representatives of the listed companies in response to faxed survey forms. Companies oot appearing did oot respond. To the best of our knowledge. the information is accurate as of press time. OF ' While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and thoroughness. errors and omissions do ocOJr. Send corrections Of additions on company letterhead to TopRank Nevada Statewide Book of Lists, Research Depl, 2127 Paradise Rd., LV, NV 89104.

june 1999 • Nevada Business journal 85 TopRankiNevada STATEWIDE BOOK OF LISTS Hospitals Ranked by licensed Beds HOSPITAL PHON E TYPE OF z ADD RE SS Ltc, BEDS HOSPITAL OCCUPANCY NV ADMINISTRATOR(S) "'< "' WEasrrE/E·MAIL STAFF DRS. EMPLOY EES '98 ADMITS SPEClAL SERVICES YEAR f OUND ED Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center 702-731-8018 688 For Profit 76% Perinatal, Neonatal Levels Ill & II, Women 's Care Center, Gerald "Mitch" Mitchell 3186 S. Maryland Pkwy., LV 891 09 1,300 3,100 45,248 Research Institute, Complete Pediatric Service 1958 DND 2 University Medical Center 702-383·2000 544 Non-Profit 77% Levell Trauma Center, Burn Care, Oncology, Chest Pain, William R. Hale 1800 W. Charleston Blvd., LV 89102 900 3,200 32 ,575 Pediatrics, Pediatric ICU, Labor & Delivery 1931 umc-cares.org 3 Washoe Health System 775-328-4100 529 Non-Profit 51 % Trauma Center, Bone Marrow Transplant Center, Cardiac Bob Burn 77 Pringle Way, Reno 89520 738 1,995 20,015 Program, Pediatric ICU, Labor & Delivery, Washoe Poison 1862 washoehealth.com Center, Washoe Dialysis Center [email protected] 4 Valley Hospital Medical Center 702-388·4000 415 For Profit 64% OB/ Level 3 Neonatal intensive Care, ER/ Fiight for Life, J. Bruce Wiggins 620 Shadow Ln ., LV 89106 1,000 1,1 50 19,176 The Cardiac Institute, The Geriatric Center for Roger Collins valleyhealthsystem.org Behavioral Medicine 1972 5 Saint Mary's Health Network 775-789-3000 365 Non-Profit 82% Centers of Excellence in Cardiology/Cardiac Care, Family Ginger Ayala 235 W. 6th St., Reno 89520 400 1,935 DND Health Svcs.-Maternal/Child, Oncology, Orthopedics, Two 1908 saintrnarysreno.com Outreach Clinics, Dental Care for Area Youngsters, Hospice 6 Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center 702-733-8800 241 For Profit 76 % Diabetes Treatment Ctr. , Osteoporosis Ctr. , Pathways to Par· J.Bruce Wiggins 2075 E. Flamingo Rd. , LV 89119 1,118 902 14,831 enthood, Fast Track ER Program, Cardiac Rehab. Prog., Se- John Hummer valleyhealthsystem.org nior Advantage Prog., Home Health 1971 7 Lake Mead Hospital 702-649-7711 198 For Profit 65 % NorthStar-Geropsych Program, Baby Your Baby Program Randall Hempling 1409 E. Lake Mead Blvd., NLV 89030 850 600 9,679 1960 tenethealth.com 8 Joannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center 775-328·1263 182 Federal 75 % DND Gary R. Whitfield 1000 Locust St., Reno 89520 50 660 2,900 1937 DND 9 Carson· Tahoe Hospital 775-885-4479 158 Non-Profit 80% Fu ii -Svc. Hospital including Inpatient, Outpatient, Psychi· DND 775 Fleischman Way, Carson City 89702 192 890 DND atric, Addictive Disorder Programs 1949 DND 10 Summerlin Hospital Medical Center 702·233·7000 152 For Profit 49% The Birthplace/ NeonataiiCU, Pediatric Unit, All Private J. Bruce Wiggins 657 Town Center Dr., LV 89134 1,000 500 5,191 Patient Rooms, ICU/Coronary Care Units, The Cancer K.D. Justyn valleyhealthsystem.org Institute of Nevada 1997 11 St. Rose Dominican Hospital 702-564·2622 143 Non-Profit DND Community Education, Parish Nurse Program, Cardiac Rod A. Davis 102 E. Lake Mead Dr., Henderson 89015 691 961 33 ,519 Rehabilitation, Maternal Child Center, Diagnostic Lab 1947 DND 12 MountainView Hospital 702-255·5073 120 For Profit DND Cardiology, Diagnostic Imaging, Endoscopy, Physical Mark Howard 3100 N. Tenaya Way, LV 89128 1,092 625 10,156 Therapy, Obstetrics/ Labor & Delivery 1996 [email protected] 13 West Hills Hospital 775-323-0478 95 For Profit 46% Adult/Child/ Adolescent Mental Health/ Chern. Dependency, Pam Broughton 1240 E. 9th St. , Reno 89520 10 195 1,353 Inpatient Partial Hospitalization and Outpatient for Adult/ 1981 [email protected] Youth, Intensive Outpatient for Adu~ Chern. Dependency 14 Montevista Hospital 702-364 -1111 80 For Profit DND Emotional , Behavioral and Substance Abuse, Children's, Darryl Dubroca 5900 W. Rochelle Ave., LV 89103 185 DND Adolescents', Adults' , Geriatrics Programs, Chemical 1985 DND Dependency Programs 15 Nevada Mental Health Institute' 775-688·2001 74 State 70% Adult Psychiatric Care, Inpatient/Outpatient Services David Rosin, MD 480 Galletti Way, Sparks 89431 6 200 1,330 1880 DND 16 Boulder City Hospital, Inc. 702-293-4111 67 Non-Profit 83 % Full-Service Hospital: Operating Rooms, ER, Outpatient Kim Crandell 901 Adams Blvd ., Boulder City 89005 24 200 950 Clinic, Lab, Radiology-CT. MRI , Nuclear Medicine, Skilled 1931 DND Nursing Facility, Home Health Agency 16 HealthSouth Rehabi litation Hospital 67 For Profit 98% General Rehabilitation Services, Geriatric Evaluations, Rick Knowland of Las Vegas 702·877-8898 2 200 1,200+ Oncology Rehabilitation , Brain Injury Unit 1993 1250 S. Valley View Blvd., LV 89102 DND 18 HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital 63 For Profit DND Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury Unit, Richard Johnson of Reno 775-348-5500 150 100 DND Lymphedema Program , Fu nctional Restoration Program / 1993 555 Gould St., Reno 89502 Capacity Exams, Vestibular Balance Program healthsouth.com 19 Vencor Hospital-Las Vegas 702-871-1418 52 For Profit 85 % Ventilator Weaning, Wound Care, IV Antibiotics, Dale Kirby 5110 W. Sahara Ave., LV 89102 260 117 DND Low-Level Rehabilitation Services, Dialysis, Telemetry 1993 DND 20 Vitality Center 775· 738-8004 41 Non-Profit 90% Comprehensive Chemical Dependency Treatment for Dorothy B. North 3740 Idaho St. , Elko 89801 50 418 Adults/Adolescents, Outpatient Clinics in Six Counties 1971 DND 21 William Bee Ririe Hospital 775-289-3001 40 County 36% DND DND 1500 Ave. H, Ely 89301 4 94 544 1969 [email protected] 22 Incline Village Health Center 775-833-4100 8 Non-Profit 11% 24-Hour ER Service, Outpatient Surgery Center, Lab Larry Long 880 Alder Ave. , Incline Village 89451 50 28 170' Services, Radiology Services, Sleep Disorder Center, 1996 [email protected] Mammography, Ultrasound 23 JHC Health Center 702-388-3500 0 Non-Profit N/A Rehabilitation Services, Pain Mgmt, Neuro Rehab., Health/ Vera Smith-Kamna 1001 Shadow Ln ., LV 891 06 5 90.5 N/A Wellness, Cardiac Rehab., Mobility Clinic, Occupational 1978 jhchealthcenter.com Rehab., Orthopedic Rehab., Occupational Safety/Health DND = Did not disclose ·Admissions for FY ending 6/ 30198 BOOK ~LISTS llllliJ Note: The above information was supplied by representatives of the listed companies in response to faxed survey forms. Companies not appearing did not respond. To the best of our knowledge. the informction is accurate as of press time. OF 1 While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and thoroughness, errors and omissions do occur. Send corrections or additioos on company letterhead to TopRank Nevada Statewide Book of Usts, Research Dept, 2127 Paradise Rd ., LV, NV 89104. 86 Nevada Business Journal • June 1999 There's One Simple Answe1: The Valley~ rHealthSystem·

Whether it's a routine check-up, a case of the flu , or a situation requiring a hospital visit, you can depend on The Valley Health System to provide superior care. That's because The Valley Health

System is an integrated system, committed to providing our community with convenient access to quality healthcare, while at the same time controlling costs through increased efficiencies.

Our philosophy has made us the provider of choice for more employers, delivering quality care to over 780,000 Las Vegans - we are the leader with nine specialized centers of medical excellence, representing 3,500 of the finest physicians and medical professionals. So, when you're looking for answers to all your healthcare questions, all you need is The Valley Health System.

~ A SUMMERLIN HOSPITAL D ESERT SPRINGS H OSPITAL M E D I C A l C E N T E R- MEDICAL CENTER

The Lakes ~~~GOLDRING W£DICAl x ·~ Medical Center DIAGNOSTIC AND SURG ICAl CENT£R 't. FASTER CARE S U Ill W E R L I N

Affiliated with Oasis Healch System

June 1999 • 'evada Business Journal 87 TopRankiNevada S T A TE WID E BOO K O F LIS T S Golf Courses Ranked by U.S.G.A. Slope Rating

::.: GOLF COURSE PHONE SLOPE YARDAGE COURSE TYPE D ESIGNER ~ ADDRESS COURSE YR. BUILT GREEN FEES GOLF PRO Mount Charleston Golf Resort 702-872-4653 145 3,200 Public Resort Jeff Harding/Jeff Bruckner 515 Kyle Canyon Rd., las Vegas 89124 72 1997 $25-$49 Jeff Bruckner golfmtcharleston.com • 2 Dayton Valley Golf Club 775-246-7888 143 7,218 Semi-private Arnold Palmer/ Ed Seay PGA Tour Qualifying, Northern NV 51 Palmer Dr., Dayton 89403 74.2 1990 $25-$99 Jim Kepler • Amateur, HS St. Championships. daytonvalley.com U.S. Jr. Amateur Qualifying 3 Reflection Bay Golf Club 702-740-4653 138 7,261 Public Jack Nicklaus Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge 75 Monte lago Blvd., Henderson 89011 74.8 1998 $150+ Brian Jensen lakelasvegas.com • • 4 Red Hawk Golf Club 775-626-6000 137 7,127 Public Robert Trent Jones. Jr. NV Master's, NV St. Amateur, U.S. 6600 N. Wingfield Pkwy.• Sparks 89436 72.9 1997 $25-$99 Matt Molloy • Sr. Open Qualifier. Bobby Jones Sat­ wingfieldsprings.com urday Pro -Am/Reno Tahoe Open 4 The Golf Club at lightning W Ranch 775-882-0882 137 7,241 Private Robert Muir-Graves 1996/1997 U.S. Open Qualifiers, 19 lightning W. RanCh Rd .,l'ranktown 89704 73.3 1994 $50-$99 Gus Jones • • 1996-1998 UNR Wolf Pack Classic, lightningw.com 1996/1997 U.S. Amateur Qualifiers 6 Painted Desert Golf Club 702-645-2570 136 6,840 Public Jay Morrish Former NV Open Site 5555 Painted Mirage Way. Las Vegas 89129 73.1 1986 $50-$149 Vince Toscano DND 6 The Legacy Golf Club 702-897-2200 136 7,233 Public Arthur Hills U.S. Open Qualifying Site, Nat'l 130 Par Excellence Drive, Henderson 89014 74.9 1989 $50-$149 Tom Void • • • • Finals-Oldsmobile Scramble, thelegacygolf.com American Jr. Golf Assn. 8 Badlands Golf Club 702-363-0754 134/125 6,500/6,900 Public Johnny Miller Old Scramble Gross Finals ('98), 9119 Alta Dr., las Vegas 89128 73An2.1 1995 DND Tate Stull Pub. links Qual. ('97- '98), Mich.& N/A Wis. PGA Pro-Ams ('95/'96-'98) 8 The Golf Club at Genoa Lakes 775-782-4653 134 7,263 Public J. Harbottle 111/P. Jacobsen U.S. Open Qualifying, U.S. Public 1 Genoa lakes Dr., Genoa 89411 73.5 1993 $25-$99 Randy Fox • • • • links Qualifying, NV St. Amateur, genoalakes.com/[email protected] U.S. Amateur Qualifying 10 SouthShore Golf Club 702-558-0020 13 3 6,917 Private Jack Nicklaus N/ A 29 Grand Mediterra, Henderson 89011 72 .8 1995 DND Dale Ray Akridge lakelasvegas.com • • 11 Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course 775-588-3566 132 6,901 Public George & Tom Fazio U.S. Sr. Open (1985). NBC Cele­ PO Box 5400, Stateline 89449 72.3 1969 $150+ Paul Martin brity Golf Champ., U.S. Public edgewood-tahoe.com lin~ Championships [email protected] 11 Wildcreek Golf Course 775-673-3100 132/127 6,932 Public Brad Benz Hosted PGA Sr. Tour 1983-1986 3500 Sullivan ln., Sparks 89431 72.1/71 .1 1979 $50-$99 Fred Elliott DND 13 ArrowCreek Golf Club 775-850-4630 130 6,500 Daily Fee Arnold Palmer N/A 2905 ArrowCreek Pkwy., Reno 89511 70.8 1998 $25-$99 Mark Range DND 13 CasaBlanca Golf Resort 702-346-7529 130 7,011 Public Resort Cal Olson NV Open, USGA Mid-Amateur 950 W. Mesquite Blvd .• Mesquite 89027 72.5 1996 $25-$99 Bob Ault Qualifier casablancaresort.com 13 las Vegas Paiute Resort-Sun Mtn. Course 702-658-1400 130 7,112 Public Pete Dye N/A 10325 Nu-Wav Kaiv Blvd .• Las Vegas 89124 73.3 1995 $50-$149 Dick Huff lvpaiutegolf.com/[email protected] • 16 Empire Ranch Golf Course 775-885-2100 129 6,600 Public Cary Bickler N/A 1875 Fair Way, Carson City 89701 71.4 1947 $30-$49 Jeff Sparks DND 17 Angel Park Golf Club 702-254-GOLF 128/129 6,530/6,722 Public Arnold Palmer Southwest Section PGA Events, l V 100 S. Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas 89145 72Ano.9 1989 $50-$149 Dave Barnhart Invitational Qualifying, PGA Sr. angelpark.com/[email protected] Tour Reg'l Qual. Site, Fantasy Golf 17 The las Vegas Country Club 702-734-1122 128 7,164 Private Edmund Ault Las Vegas Invitational, VH1 Fairway 3000 Joe W. Brown Dr. • Las Vegas 89109 72.8 1967 DND Brett Bidwell to Heaven DND 19 Lake Ridge Golf Course 775-825-2200 127/132 6.703 Public N/A 1200 Razorback Rd .• Reno 89509 70.8/74 1969 Daily Fee [email protected] $25-$99 19 Palm Valley Golf Course 702-363-4373 127 6,849 Semi-Private N/A 9201 Del Webb Blvd., las Vegas 89134 72.3 1990 $50-$99 N/A 19 Rosewood Lakes Golf Course 775-857-2892 127 6,693 Municipal Brad Benz Reno/ Sparks City Championship 6800 Pembroke Dr., Reno 89502 71.1 1990 up to $49 Mike Mazzaferri DND • • • • • 19 Tournament Players Club at Summerlin 775-256-0111 127 6,866 Private B. Weed/ PGA Tour Design las Vegas Invitational, las Vegas 1700 Village Center Cir. , las Vegas 89134 72.4 1991 DND Brian Hawthorne Senior Classic N/ A 23 Highland Falls Golf Club 702-254-7010 126 6,512 Semi-private Billy Casper/Greg Nash N/A 10201 Sun City Blvd., las Vegas 89134 71.2 1992 $50-$149 Sean Connett DND 23 Northgate Golf Club 775-747-7577 126 5,920 Public Benz & Poellot N/A 1111 Clubhouse Dr., Reno 89523 68 1988 $25-$49 Don Boyle, PGA DND 25 las Vegas Paiute Resort-Snow Mtn. Course 702-658-1400 125 7,158 Public Pete Dye N/A 10325 Nu-Wav Kaiv Blvd., las Vegas 89124 73.9 1995 $50-$149 Dick Huff lvpaiutegolf.com/[email protected] 26 Calvada Valley Championship Course 775-727-4653 124 7,025 Semi -private William Bell N/A 1500 Red Butte, Pahrump 89048 73 .2 1978 up to $49 Jim Kirwan DND 26 Desert Lakes Golf Course 775-575-4653 124 6,650 Daily Fee Bob Bingham Northern NV Sr. Championship 4000 Farm District Rd ., Fernley 89408 69.9 1996 $25-$49 Don Krivanek N/A 26 The Desert Inn Golf Club 702-733-4290 124 7,193 Public Resort l awrence Hughes Las Vegas Invitational, Golf Digest 3145 S. las Vegas Blvd. , las Vegas 89109 73.9 1952 $150+ Dave Johnson • • Collegiate Invitational, LPGA Tour thedesertinn.com Championship 29 Desert Pines Golf Club 702-388-4400 122 6,810 Public Dye Designs International N/A 3415 E. Bonanza Rd., las Vegas 89101 70.2 1996 $100-$149 Paul Boesch • • waltersgolf.com • • • • 29 Rhodes Ranch Country Club 702-740-4114 122 6,909 Public Ted Robinson Oldsmobile Scramble, Teardrop 20 Rhodes Ranch Pkwy. . las Vegas 89113 73 1997 $50-$149 Matthew Grobe • Tour Event rhodesranch .com CONTINUED 88 Nevada Business Journal • June 1999 Leadership Icr;!J~ff.~~

I envision a city government that is more citizen friendly.

One that understands it's people, not the government that makes Las Vegas a great place to live.

A city government that understands that sometimes the best role of government is to JUST GET OUT OF THE WA Y.

I want a city government that makes a positive role in solving traffic headaches and managing growth.

I think we can do a better job. E L E C T

Paid for by the committee to elect Oscar Goodman for Mayor.

june 1999 • Nevada Busin ess journal 89 TopRankiNevada STATEWIDE BOOK OF LISTS Golf Courses (continued) Ranked by U.S.G.A. Slope Rating ..~ ~ t ~ ~ ~ q_~ <)' SIGNIFICANT TOURN AM ENTS 31 Glenbrook Club 775-749-5201 121 DND Private DND I I I I I I N/A 2070 Pray Meadow Rd., Glenbrook 89413 DND 1925 DND Lane Christiansen, PGA --- DND --- N/A 32 Mountain View Golf Course 775-635-2380 119 6,230 Public -County N/A Mountain View Open, 205 Fairway Dr., Battle Mountain 89820 69 1988 Owned Jon Lovell Lander County Amateur, [email protected] up to $24 Club Championship 32 Washoe County Golf Course 775-828-6640 119/122 5,863 -6,695 Public WPA N/A 2601 S. Arlington, Reno 89509 7on2.9 1936 up to $24 Barney Bell • washoegolf.com 34 Round Mountain Golf Course 775-377-2 880 118/'113 5,022 -7,138 Public Thomas Nepf NV St. Firemen's Assoc. Scramble, PO Box 1800, Round Mountain 89045 76/ 69.3 1991 Daily Fee Ralph Lotspeich BMGA Jr. Golf Fundraiser DND up to $24 35 Carson Valley Golf Course 775-265-3 181 110/119 5,432-5,838 Public Red Swift N/A 1027 Riverview Dr., Gardnerville 89410 66.5/69.6 1965 $25-$150+ Brian Smith • • • DND 36 The Golf Courses at Incline Village 775-832-1143 85/ 133 3,513/ 6,931 Municipal Robert Trent Jones Sr./Jr. N/A 955 Fairway Blvd. , Incline Village 89452 57.6/72.2 1969/1964 $100-$149 Brian Elders/ Randy Cooper • golfincline.com N/A Black Mountain Golf & Country Club 702 -565-7933 DND 6,550 Semi -private Bob Baldoch Black Mountain Amateur 500 Greenwy Rd ., Henderson 89015 DND 1959 $25-$99 Bret Mulligan • • • golfbmtn@ao .com N/A Callaway Golf Center 702-896-4100 DND DND Public Robert E. Cupp & Assoc. N/A 6730 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas 89119 DND 1997 $0-$24 DND DND N/A Montreux Golf & Country Club 775-849-9444 DND DND Private Club Jack Nicklaus Reno-Tahoe Open, 16475 Bordeaux Dr., Reno 89511 DND DND DND DND • • • • NV St. Amateur [email protected] N/A North LV Community Par 3 Golf Course 702-633-1833 N/A 1,128 Public DND N/A 324 E. Brooks, North Las Vegas 89030 N/A 1981 $0-$24 DND • [email protected] N/A Sierra Sage Golf Course 775-972-1524 DND 6,650 Public DND Sr. Tour Event (1978), Hogan 6355 Silverlake Blvd. , Reno 89506 DND 1965 up to $24 Dennis Oliver • Tour, Ladies' 2nd Tour Event DND (1 982), Northern NV Amateur N/A Southern Hi~hlan ds Golf Club 702-263-1000 'N/ A 7,240 Private Robert Trent Jones Sr./Jr. N/A 3140 S. Rain ow Blvd. , Ste. 400, LV 89146 N/ A 1999 TBD TBD • southernhighlandsgolf.com DND = Did not disclose •course under construction BOOKg liSTS ~ Note: The in formation in th1s list was supplied by representatives of the companies themselves. To the best of our knowledge, the information is accurate as of press time. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and OF 1 thoroughn ess of the list, typographical errors sometimes occur. Please send corrections or additions on company letterhead to TopRank Nevada Statewide Book of lists, Research Depl, 21 27 Paradise Rd., las Vegas, NV 89104.

• Computer Services • Data Entry & Conversions • Local, Regional & National Lists • Business, Residential& Political • Postal Preparation &::.P.resort Discounting • Personalized Lettersr Cards & Statements • Intelligent Inserting & Direct Addressing

4395 S. Polaris Avenue Las Vegas, Nevada 89103 (702) 798-7999 Fax (702) 798-5502

90 'evada Business journal • june 1999 ,_ ____,r I I ) /

Retd pursues sprawl nill ilt f orlu Vegu

CARSON CITY- Las Vegas Is a Pffmt exampte otuftlan s;nwc, andftder.tlltgh,lationlllnlhtworbbnetpwiltlthe~Sen. tunyRtld, I)-Hey~ kltdlhl NMdl ~aln 1110~. =~:=~~-:=:a==~~!:!..~ ===='-' andwarsl!:l prornot81ivablt COITII"''Mmillt on fit nationiiiiOtndll," Rfllfnld.

Gore'S COnttpttor"IVabletOI'IU'I"'U''i fl Slllbftolg d~tM !here will be ftderal money for Southam NcYada, til senator said It anrwstonferencefOilO\IMgfleltOISia!Mimeettno.

Stn.John Chal'"~e. R-Rhode lsllnd, W'to Is thalrman otlbe EnYil)nmenl and Publk Wotb Corrmillee, also tMII hold a Hid hUfln; In Las Vegu In the sptb; on tie spraw!leQislatlon.

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verything Las Vegas TopRankiNevada STATEWIDE BOOK OF LISTS Woman-Owned Businesses Ranked by Total Nevada Employees

WOMAN·OWNED BUSINESS PHONE No. EMPL. % WOMAN· z~ ADDRESS '9B REVENUE O wNED a:"" WEBSITE/E-MAIL ($MILLION) YEAR EST. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS 0 WNER(S) Ascentra 702·365·6979 352 50% Privately-owned and operated integrated system of 16 health· M. Frances Sponer 2251 S. Jones Blvd., LV 89146 $30.00 1990 care companies with expertise in nearly every aspect of the man· ascentrausa.com aged healthcare industry 2 Realty Executives of Nevada 702-795-4500 270 51% Real estate sales office Fafie Moore 1903 S. Jones Blvd., Ste. 100, LV 89146 $635.00 1989 DND 3 Stout Management Company 702-227-0444 175 100% Full-service property management of apartment complexes Deborah Stout 2320 Paseo Del Prado, Ste. B-101, LV 89102 DND 1978 DND 4 Prestige Travel 702-251-5552 150 51% Business travel management, vacation and honeymoon planning, Kathy & Leo 6175 Spring Mountain Rd., LV 89146 DND 1980 meetings. incentives, cruises, tours, groups, reunions Falkensammer, CTC prestige-amex.com 5 Nanny's & Granny's 702-364-4700 120 100% Nanny training school, nanny placement agency, licensed sitter Carol Ann Hale 6440 W. Coley Ave., LV 89146 $600.00 1988 services, senior care, housekeeping, personal services [email protected] 6 Dynamic Home Health Care 702·388-7070 100 50% Private duty home healthcare, helps patients with personal care, Carol Silver 501 S. Rancho Dr., Ste. C-15, LV 89106 DND 1996 transportation, shopping, med. prep., respite care for families; works Nissan Pardo DND with hospitals, other home healthcare, hospices, doctors' offices 6 Superior Staffing 702·866·2300 100 100% Staffing services, temporary, direct placement, temp-to-hire Lynne Marie Finn 4510 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. 10, LV 89119 DND 1997 superior·sdo.com 8 Rossum Realty Unlimited 702-368-1850 94 51% Selling residential, commercial, land, build-to-suits; buyers' Beth & Woody Rossum 3875 S. Jones Blvd., LV 89102 DND 1988 brokerage representation available rossumrealty.com 9 Century 21 Consolidated 702-732-7282 85 100% Real estate agency Bette & Desiree Leal 2820 E. Flamingo Rd., LV 89121 $3.03 1983 DND 10 Marilyn Mayblum Productions 702-896-6619 80 100% Entertainment production company-Las Vegas-type revues/ Marilyn Mayblum 2411 Mason Ave., LV 89102 DND 1990 extravaganzas for hotels, conventions; interactive entertain· DND ment/murder mystery games 11 Interim HealthCare of Las Vegas 702-369-5533 75 50% Nursing service providing home care services that include RNs, LPNs, Sylvia & Ken Ringling 4055 Spencer St., Ste. 116, LV 89119 $1.50 1992 CNAs, personal care aides, companion/homemakers, physical/ N/A occupational/speech therapists and staff relief to inpatient facilities 12 Home Instead Senior Care 702-796-6393 71 DND Home care services for the elderly Bonnie M. Reppert 2330 Paseo Del Prado, Ste. C-304, LV 89102 DND 1996 DND 13 Terra West Property Management 702-362-6262 68 100% Property management/real estate services firm Katherine D. Grimes 2655 S. Rainbow, Ste. 200, LV 89146 $3.20 1979 Deborah 0. Jones terra-west.com 14 VPoint 702·248·6415 53 100% Civil engineering and land surveying Kathy R. Smith 7548 W. Sahara Ave., LV 89117 $4.10 1983 DND 15 Career Choices 775-826-2555 40 66% Temporary/permanent placement service and licensed post· Nancy Rum berg 625 Margrave Dr., Ste. 101, Reno 89502 DND 1988 secondary vocational school specializing in general, legal and Barbara Rummer career-choices.com medical careers 16 The Learn ing Center 702-320-8885 35 100% Teaches PC business applications, offering from one-day courses Linda Montgomery 3291 N. Buffalo Dr., Ste. 3, LV 89129 DND 1985 to one-year programs; authorized as technical education cetner [email protected] for Microsoft and Novell 17 Classic Painting & Associates Inc. 702·644·5880 30 100% Painting, wallcovering, soda blasting Sharon Carter 2933 E. Alexander Rd., North LV 89030 $2.40 1988 DND 17 Femail Creations 702-739-6172 30 100% Mail order catalog featuring unique items made by women and Lisa Hammond 2925 E. Patrick Ln., Ste. M, LV 89120 $1.60 1996 coming from woman-owned businesses femailcreations.com 17 Photo Finish Digital Imaging 702-732-1878 30 100% Digital imaging & photographic printing facility utilizing current Sherilou Shelton 3121 S. Industrial Rd., LV 89109 $2.40 1982 imaging technology; specialize in all forms of visual marketing prod· DND ucts made from digital files and traditional photographic negatives 20 The Plantworks 702-795-3600 25 100% National award-winning interior plantscape company, creating Linda J. Lewis 3930 Graphics Center Dr. , LV 89118 $2.00 1977 themes and plant environments for the gaming, hospitality and [email protected] entertainment industry 21 Prestige Properties 702-382-0700 23 100% Fu ll-service real estate/property management company Francine Pulliam 2340 Paseo Del Prado, Ste. D202, LV 89102 DND 1971 specializing in medical buildings DND 22 Baskow & Associates 702-733-7818 21 100% Full-service meeting professionals, destination management, Jaki Baskow 2948 E. Russell Rd., LV 89120 $2.80 1976 decorations, entertainment staffing-nationwide [email protected] 23 CM Reprographics, Inc. 702·222-1757 20 100% Full-service blueprinting, large and small document copies, color Bernadette Carver 4445 S. Valley View Blvd., Ste. 1, LV 89103 DND 1989 copies, mounting, laminating, drafting supplies; digital services: plots, DND prints, scans, archiving, document mgmt., facilities mgmt. available 24 Sahara Mortgage Corp. 702-870-2425 18 75% Mortgage banker-residential real estate Virgie Vincent 2551 S. Fort Apache Rd., Ste. 1, LV89117 DND 1992 Morse Arberry, Jr. [email protected] 25 Century Graphics 702.795-0440 17 100% Four-color commercial printing, presentation folders, postcards, Barbara Cimaglia 4645 S. Procyon, Ste. C, LV 89103 DND 1984 mailers century@i ntermind.net 26 Designs & Signs, Inc. 702-736-6463 15 100% Architectural, directional, computer graphics, etched glass, Janette Ford 5880 S. Wynn, LV 89118 DND 1986 sandblasted, engraved, logos, vehicle lettering, ADA signage, LaRita Wills [email protected] window lettering, convention services CONTINUED 92 Nevada Business Journal • June 1999 TopRankiNevada STATEWIDE BOOK OF LISTS Woman-Owned Businesses (continued) Ranked by Total Nevada Employees

No. EMPL. WOMAN·OWNEO BUSIN ESS PHONE % WOMAN · SENIOR NV EXEClfllVE z AO ORESS '98 REVENUE OWN EO "' ($MILLION) "'" WEBsiTE/E-MAIL YEAR EST. TYPES OF PRODUCTS HEADQUAimRS 702-364-8604 15 100% Advertising agency, marketing, public relations, advertising, Peggy Smith $4.60 1984 media planning/placement, local/national campaigns

26 MDL Group 702-388-1800 15 50% Commercial real estate brokerage and commercial property Carol Cline, CCIM, RPA 400 S. Maryland Pkwy., LV 89101 DND 1989 management Curt Anderson ccmdl001 @aol.com 29 Admart Inc. 702-368-2464 10 100% Media buying, marketing research Jennifer Laking 5275 S. Arville, Ste. B-120, LV 89118 $6.00 1984 [email protected] 30 Key Performance International LLC 702-990-7000 8 76% Prof. development consulting firm offering consulting svcs. and skills Jeanne Gulbranson 2250 Corporate Cir., Ste. 390, Henderson 89014 $3.00+ 1995 training programs, including change mgmt. , strategic visioning, orga- keyperformance.com nizational design and development, personnel management and de- [email protected] velopment and behavior profiling for hiring and retention 30 Media Central Productions 702-873-7734 8· 100% DND Jennifer Laking 5275 S. Arville, Ste. B-120, LV 89118 DND 1998 mediacentralonline.com 32 702-734-7000 7 100% Registered investment advisory firm specializing in fee-based Deborah L. Danielson, DND 1981 asset management and no-load mutual funds; retirement, estate CFP, CFS planning and tax planning services provided 32 Uniglobe Travel Connection 775-329-6218 7 33.30% Travel management company and cruise ship center Liliana/Donald/Fred 2000 Mill St., Reno 89502 $4.00 1987 Kajans [email protected] 34 Classic Travel, Inc. 775-883-9331 6 50% Full -service travel agency specializing in cruises and exotic tours Kathy E. & James A. 308 N. Curry St., Ste. 101, Carson City 89703 $1.80 1983 and adventures; experienced in corporate and government travel Niederkorn [email protected] 34 Elizabeth Younger Agency 775-329-4200 6 100% P.R. firm centered around community and public education program- Liz Younger 223 Marsh Ave., Reno 89509 DND "1984 ming, media relations and special event mgrnt. and publicity; the DND in-terminal advertising concessionaire for Reno/Tahoe lnt'l Airport 34 Olsen & Associates 775-829-2810 6 100% P.R. firm with a specialty in small businesses and civic organiza- Marlene Olsen 3388 Lakeside Ct., Reno 89509 DND 1985 lion; produces and promotes two of the biggest events in No. marlene@olsenandassociates Nevada - The Great Reno Balloon Race and The Reno Rodeo 34 P.R. Plus 70z-696-1999 6 100% Public relations firm specializing in entertainment, hospitality, Laura Herlovich 1555 E. Flamingo Rd. , Ste. 421 , LV 89119 $0.40 1991 gaming and dining; also provides special event marketing and [email protected] advertising consultation 38 A Quick Trip 702-259-0248 5 51% Full-service travel agency, full meeting planning, consolidator for Bonn ie R., Rowdy & 6539 Casada Way, LV 89107 DND 1988 Korean Air, Vaspa Air, TWA Shaun McDaniel DND 38 Accountants on Call/ 5 60% Specialty recruiter in the placement of temporary and permanent Donna Kelly Accountants Executive Search 702-284-7112 DND 1997 accounting and finance professionals 6767 W. TropicanaAve., Ste. 101, LV 89103 [email protected] 38 Studio West Inc. Architects 702-369-1991 5 Architecture, planning, models and presentation renderings, CAD Rachel O 'Neill 3261 S. Highland Dr., Ste. 604, LV 89109 DND design, fulfills clients' needs through the sculpting of space and Henry Skonieczny N/A form based on the principles of function, beauty and economy 38 The Firm 702-739-9933 5 100% Full-service public relations and marketing company with clients Solveig Thorsnud-AIIen 3975 W. Quail Ave., Ste. 6, LV 89119 DND 1993 from gaming and entertainment to real estate and the arts [email protected] 38 Why Not Travel 702-567-8180 5 100% Travel agency specializing in groups, Hawaii, Mexico and Donna Kinney 1419 N. Boulder Hwy., Henderson 89015 DND 1992 integrity; charges no service fees DND 43 Cirani, Inc. 702-871 -0985 4 100% Tobacco concession; team of cigarrette hostesses to supply Cira Drake 3230 Polaris, Ste. 26, LV 89102 DND DND tobacco and lighted novelty items to hotel guests and distribute [email protected] complimentary tobacco to gaming patrons 43 MassMedia 702-433-4331 4 100% Public relations, advertising, event management Paula Yakubik 5868 S. Pecos Rd., Ste. 200, LV 89120 $0.30 1997 [email protected] 45 Chayra Communications 702-658-3236 3 100% Full-service advertising and reputation management agency Sharon Chayra 4250 Valley Pine, North LV 89030 DND 1995 specializing in healthcare; advertising, PR, special events, video [email protected] production, technical and feature writing, media relations 45 Fun & Affordable Travel 702-255-1015 3 100% Full-service travel agency Jade Nolie 2251 Rampart Blvd., Ste. 347, LV 89128 $0.50 1995 funandaffordable.com [email protected] 47 Stockdale & Crum 775-782-3678 2 100% Advertising and marketing Suzanne J. Stockdale 1650 Lucerne St., Minden 89423 DND 1987 [email protected]

48 Chrisse White-Waddell 1 100% Puhfic rP.fatinn~ <>P.rvic:P.c; for hrJc;inP.c;c;, inrlivirlual' anrl PvPntc;: Chri,<;P WhitP-W;rrfrlpff Public Relations, Inc. 702-458-5927 DND 1997 focus on hospitality, entertainment and charitable organizations 3161 Alden Ave., LV 89121 [email protected] 48 Very Vegas 702-368-7770 1 100% Mail-order wholesaler and retailer of lighted jewelry and Cira Drake 3230 Polaris, Ste. 26, LV 89102 DND 1989 novelties for local and national customers [email protected] DND = Did not disclose BOOK ~LISJS [IE Note: The above i ~forma ti on was supplied by representatives of the listed companies in response to faxed survey forms. Companies not appearing did not respond. To the best of our knowledge, the information is accurate as of press time. OF 1 Whne every effort IS made to ensure accuracy and thoroughness, errors and omissions do occur. Send corrections or additions on company letterhead to TopRank Nevada Statewide Book of Usts, Research Dept, 2127 Paradise Rd ., LV, NV 89104

June 1999 • Nevada Business Journal 93

NEVADA BRIEFS

Grant allows Great Basin to offer Southwest Cancer Clinic prepares high school programs cancer center

A $30,000 grant from Nevada's School-to­ Southwest Cancer Clinic is planning a u.s. Postal Service relocating Careers program has enabled Great Basin state-of-the-art cancer center to be situated operations to Reno College to provide welding training at four at Eastern and Twain in Las Vegas. The of­ northeastern Nevada high schools. Elko, fice will provide comprehensive care in the he board of trustees of the Airport Wendover, Lund and McDennitt high fields of medical oncology, hematology Authority of Washoe County voted schools received welding equipment and and radiation. It will house a stem cell Tunanimously to allow the United level-one curriculum materials for entry­ transplantation unit, radiation facility and States Postal Service (USPS) to relocate its level welders from the American Welding a complete research department. It will be western network sorting hub to the society. Each school received more than completed later this year. Renotrahoe International Airport. The $4,000 of Miller Welding equipment. The sorting hub currently occupies space in grant also included money to purchase stu­ Cost of living increase in Las Oakland, Calif. The USPS will begin oper­ dent books and instructor manuals. The Vegas outstrips nation ations no later than August 28 at a tempo­ grant is designed to give high school stu­ rary site located north of the airport's ter­ dents in one of evada's most remote The overall Las Vegas cost of living rose mi nal. Within three years, the USPS will areas more career opportunities. 1.6 percent in March, according to the move to a permanent facility at the airport. First Security Cost of Living Report. That The arrival of the USPS means an addition­ Pioneer Citizens Bank receives figure compares to a 0.3 percent increase al 4.2 million pounds of cargo will pass federal grant in the national cost of living for the same through the airport monthly. month. Higher costs for gasoline and Pioneer Citizens Bank of Nevada was transportation, dining out, education, com­ UMC plans adult emergency awarded a $150,000 Federal Home Loan munications, healthcare and personal care department Bank of San Francisco Affordable Hous­ services outweighed dropping prices for ing Program grant. Pioneer Citizens Bank clothing and groceries. Housing, utility University Medical Center in Las Vegas sponsored Nevada Housing and Neighbor­ and recreation costs remained stable. recently broke ground on a new adult hood Development, Inc. (HA.J'ID) for the emergency department. The adult ER, slat­ grant, which will be used to rehabilitate GES launches logistics division ed for completion in about a year, will Cimmaron Apartments, located in a down­ house the emergency department and new town Las Vegas redevelopment area. The Greyhound Exposition Services (GES) intensive care and critical units. The two­ bank is also providing a term Community formed a new division called GES Logis­ story, 52,000-square-foot structure will be Development Loan for acquisition of the tics. The division provides a single-source situated between the trauma center and the apartments, which will target very low-in­ shopping experience for exhibitors. Com­ main hospital. come family tenants. pany officials say the logistics department was established as a result of clients look­ Nevada's Vocational Assessment Saint Mary's receives women's ing to GES for ways to combine efficiencies Centers receive accreditation healthcare grant and reduce costs. GES can now manage every aspect of a client's tradeshow sched­ Nevada's Vocational and Assessment Cen­ Saint Mary's Health Network in Reno was ule, from arranging transportation and ters, located in Reno and Las Vegas, re­ awarded the Maternal Child Health booth installation to warehouse manage­ cently received the highest level of accred­ Provider Partnership grant. Hospitals in ment and tracking of shipments worldwide. itation awarded by the Commission on only nine states were chosen to receive the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. grant, which was awarded to Saint Mary's Sunrise Hospital and Medical The state Department of Employment, because of a partnership between the state Center earns top honors Training and Rehabilitation's Rehabilita­ Bureau of Family Health Services and tion Division operates the centers. The di­ Saint Mary's Nurse-Midwifery Service. Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center's vision voluntarily subjects its centers to a The grant funds will be used to hold a one­ interventional cardiology service was peer review process to clearly demonstrate day seminar on Friday, September 24 to recently named a 1999 national award that Nevadans receive a high level of ser­ discuss healthcare access for women and winner, according to the 100 Top Hospi- vice delivery. children in the state. continued

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Thomas Register stepping up Northern Nevada presence

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96 Nevada Business journal • june 1999 BUSINESS INDICATORS

LATEST PREVIOUS YEAR YEARLY DATE PERIOD PERIOD AGO % CHG UNEMPLOYMENT _-:C~~""' ANALYSIS C::::::::iill····· Nevada 02/99 3.6 3.8 s.o -28.00 evada's tourism activity remains Las Vegas MSA 02/99 3-3 3.6 4-5 -26.67 bright after two years of slow growth. Reno MSA 02/99 4-1 3-9 5-1 -19.61 NTourism growth rates increased U.S. (SEASONALLY ADJUSTED) 03/99 4-2 4-4 4-7 -10.64 markedly in late 1998 and have continued into 1999. Gaming revenue for February 1999 RETAIL ACTIVITY - -==:~~~- increased by 12.06 percent over the same pe­ Nevada Taxa ble Sales ($ ooo) 02/99 2,061,430 2,053.763 1,830,743 12.60 riod a year ago. Double-digit growth rates in Clark County 02/99 1,501,182 1.493,038 1,300,801 15-40 gaming revenues are a welcome relief for Washoe County 02/99 322,142 322,132 302,368 6.54 concerned industry expectations and public U.S. Retail Sales ($MILLIO N) 03/99 239.639 239,050 220,446 8.71 sector decision makers. The general strength of the Silver State's GROSS GAMING REVENUE ----7----: economy is further supported by strong Nevada ($ ooo) 12 .06 growth in sales tax collections. Sales and use Clark County tax collections increased by 12.6 percent for Washoe County February 1999 over February 1998. 1 Concerns about limited seats and flights to CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY -'" . - Nevada destinations have not proven to be a Las Vegas Area Permits problem in 1999. With noteworthy hotel New Residences 1Q99 5,205 4.718 5,110 1.86 openings in Las Vegas later this year, trans­ New Commercial 1Q99 263 290 353 -25-50 portation-capacity increases will be needed. Reno Area Permits So far, market adjustments in transportation New Residences 4Q98 842 876 752 11-97 have supported Nevada's primary industry. New Commercial* Recent increases in fuel prices are a new u.s. development that could act as a drag on fu ­ Housing Starts (ooo) 03/99 1,766 1,790 1,583 11.56 ture economic activity in the Silver State. Total Construction ($BILLION) 02/99 706.5 691.0 638.2 10.70 Faced with lower commodity prices in 1998, HOUSING SALES -- -- _ which contributed to increased US growth and lower inflation, the oil cartel (OPEC) set in Las Vegas Area motion efforts to increase prices. With limit­ Average Sales Price hl 1Q98 138,196 141,263 138,851 - 0-47 ed OPEC production and the shutdown of two Average Cost $/Sq. Ft. 1Q98 76.68 77-87 75-20 1-97 Average Mortgage Rate <>l refineries as a result of breakdowns, there 1Q98 7-42 7-60 7-90 -6.08 has been a shortage of fuel in the West. This Washoe County* U.S. Home Sales (ooo) 881 - o.68 has resulted in sharp price increases. Never­ 02/99 899 887 theless, the expectation that limited supplies TRANSPORTATION -c- ~~c': will not continue for a long period suggests Total Passengers (Jl that Nevada's economy does not face a se­ McCarran Int. Airport, LV 4Q98 7,668,939 7.532,003 7.420,041 vere drag. To be sure, this outlook depends 3-35 Reno /Tahoe Int. Airport 4Q98 1,477.326 1,70 2,192 1,570,115 -5-91 on the stability of world production. State Taxable Gasoline Sales ($ooo) 02/99 59.532,948 71.778.793 63,182,538 -5-78 A key determinant of Nevada's future eco­ nomic condition is the U.S. economy. Having POPULATION ESTIMATES -- --~~""§.;. posted the typical length of an economic ex­ Nevada 1,852,650 pansion, conditions remain favorable. In­ Clark County 1,255,200 1,192,200 s.28 deed, economic expansion into the year 2ooo Washoe County 311.350 308,700 0.86 would mark the current expansion as the longest on record. GDP growth at 5.17 percent NATIONAL ECONOMY l;;; - reflects strength that is likely to continue. Consumer Price Index <4l 03/99 165.0 164 -5 162.2 1-73 Even with some deterioration in U.S. exports, Money Supply-M1 ($BILLION) 03/99 1,100.7 1,091-9 1,080.6 1.86 an indicator of economic weakening, other in­ Prime Rate 03/99 7-75 7-75 7-75 0.00 dicators point to economic strength. All in all, Three-Month U.S. T-Bill 03/99 4-48 4-45 5-03 -10.93 good U.S. economic news (even if periodical­ Gross Domestic Product ($ BILLION) 4Q98 8,681 .2 8,537-9 8,254 -5 5-17 ly shaded with a few adverse events) foretells good news for Nevada in the months ahead. NOTES: (1) houses, condos, townhouses; (2) 30 yr. FHA fixed; (3) enplaned/deplaned passengers; (4) all urban consumers SOURCES: Nevada Dept. of Taxation; Nevada Employment Security Deptartment.; UNLV, Center for Business and Economic Research; UNR, Bureau of Business and Economic Research; US Dept. of Commerce; US Federal Reserve. R. KEITH ScHWER, UNLV Center for Business COMPILED BY: UNLV, Center for Business and Economic Research and Economic Research •Figures not available.

june 1999 • Nevada Business journal 97 NEVADA

What are the most substantial obstacles to redeveloping downtown? How do we overcome those obstacles?

market share once con­ "The biggest sisted of people who are now drawn away by local properties such as Sam's problem is finding Town, the Station Casinos, The Orleans and the Gold businesses willing Coast, among others. The Fremont Street Experience is a giant step to relocate to a in the right direction, and Neonopolis will be a unique downtown core.:'' and distinctive attraction when complete. If you're pawnshop upgrading to a jew­ going to compete with the elry store and no boarded up BRUCE BRESLOW RICHARD LEE Strip, you have to remember buildings. In the last eight Mayor of Sparks Public Relations Director more than $10 billion in the years, we've seen about $150 First American Title last 10 years was expended on he biggest problem fac­ million in reinvestment into new hotel rooms and destina­ T ing downtown redevelop­ the redevelopment district. ''The vibrancy of tion resorts along the Strip ment is finding businesses Eight years of work are all corridor. To date, downtown willing to relocate to a down­ coming together: we just a downtown area Las Vegas has spent barely town core, especially in Neva­ opened a $28 million off­ 2 percent of that amount - da, with the future of gaming ramp from I-80 to the heart of is proportional to about $200 million. Down­ in question. Although down­ our city. We just began con­ the vibrancy of town needs to introduce its town Sparks is not physically struction to finish Victorian own exciting resorts that dominated by gaming, it's Plaza, and on May 15, a the surrounding can compete on a level still a struggle. We had to put $1 million interactive water with the innovative new up more than $50 million in attraction opened in the mid­ community." ideas in the market. infrastructure to show we dle of the plaza and in front The vibrancy of a down­ meant business. of the new cinemaplex, which bstacles to downtown town area is somewhat pro­ Twenty-three years ago, we opened last year. OLas Vegas redevelop­ portional to the vibrancy of established the first redevel­ We also relocated six ment include the exorbitant the surrounding community. It opment agency in the state. square blocks of dilapidated asking price for the Union will be a challenge. Tying in Eight years ago, the city of buildings, relocated tenants Pacific land adjacent to with the Las Vegas Speedway Sparks took on a blighted and owners and cleaned up downtown Las Vegas, and is a great idea, and a domed downtown area with eight the area for restaurants and stiff competition from the stadium might help as welL It bars, four pawnshops, six stores, on which construction Las Vegas Strip resorts and will take some time and some boarded up buildings and a starts June 1. For every dollar the local casinos. In fact, a innovative new ideas, but it handful of viable businesses. we've reinvested, we've had great deal of the downtown will happen. Today, there are two bars, one at least $4 returned. •

98 Nevada Business Journal • June 1999

Time To Be In Touch.

ne of the most eagerly anticipated private golf Oclubs in the United States is now extending invitations for membership. Limited to only 360 Members, the Southern Highlands Golf Club will boast an expansive 7,240-yard, par 72 golf course. One of only three courses worldwide designed jointly by the legendary ·Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and Robert Trent Jones, Jr. opening December, 1999.

In addition to world-class amenities and outstanding guest services at the luxurious Tuscan-style Clubhouse, a select few will enjoy the exclusive homesites in the Estates at Southern Highlands. Providing sweeping views of the golf course, nearby mountains and the Las Vegas skyline, the Estates capture the essence of the Southern Highlands expenence.

Because of an extremely limited number of golf memberships and Estate homesites, your mqmry will be promptly reviewed. c'5oulhern .Jhjhknth ------G 0 L F CLUB ·· Nevada's finest private golf club ..

3140 S. Rainbow Blv'J., Suite 400, LaJ VegaJ, NV 89146 Conveniently located in the SouthweJt Valley at Lake 1/llea'J Dril'e an'J 1-15 South (702) 616-2500