A WILLIAM F. HARRAH COLLEGE OF HOTEL ADMINISTRATION PUBLICATION

PPF A L L REMIER 2 0 0 6

There’sThere’s aa FingerFinger inin MyMy ChiliChili AlumAlum RReinventseinvents JazzJazz FieriFieri WinsWins FoodFood NetworkNetwork RRealityeality ShowShow StationStation CasinosCasinos LooksLooks toto thethe FutureFuture UNLV Alumni Clubs GET INVOLVED. Japan (Tokyo Area) New York City Area Oregon/Willamette Valley San Diego Area Masaaki Hirayama ’76 Allison Verrino ’99 Denise Phillips Beban ’95 Scott Gulbransen ’95 STAY CONNECTED. [email protected] w-347-728-7089 h-541-461-2011 h-858-232-6607 [email protected] [email protected] w-858-525-7594 Alumni Volunteers Shigeru Suzuki ’79 [email protected] Yuichi Tanaka ’94 Northeast Area Portland Wanted! San Francisco Bay Area unlv_alumniclub@hotmail. Janet Foley ’89 Linda Garrett ’83 unlvbayareahotelalumni@ If you are interested in joining co.jp c-401-330-6451 c-503-997-4020 yahoogroups.com an existing alumni club or if you [email protected] [email protected] Tony Llanos ’97 would like to start one in your area, Korea [email protected] please contact your fellow alumni: Won-Seok Seo ’95, ’97 MS Ohio Area Reno Area Cheryl (Sawyer) Lyons ’93 Position Open [email protected] Southern California Chicago Area [email protected] Sacramento Area Blake Rudman ’01 Stephanie Fisher ’00 Mississippi State [email protected] w-773-858-6753 Lori Beth Susman ’86 Jennifer Zajac Winters ’93 w-916-922-4700 x1316 [email protected] w-228-832-7004 Southern Utah [email protected] h-916-419-3788 Kathy Pontius ’99 China (Hong kong/Macau/ [email protected] or h-435-867-4763 Shenzhen) [email protected] [email protected] Josh Ziegler ’99 mobile-2540-4646 Texas/Dallas/Ft. Worth Area Position Open

FOR ALL OTHER AREAS, please contact Judy Nagai UNLV Alumni Association 702-895-2934 [email protected] PREMIER National Advisory Board The official magazine of the William F. Harrah College William Allen III In This of Hotel Administration Outback Steakhouse Patricia Anton OFFICE OF THE DEAN Anton Airfood 4505 Maryland Parkway Box 456013 William Anton Las Vegas, NV 89154-6013 Anton Airfood (702) 895-3161 George E. Baggott, CFSP BEE Thr LLC Stuart H. Mann Dean Debi Benedetti Beyond the Possible James Busser IssueVisit us at: hotel.unlv.edu Associate Dean Elizabeth Blau Elizabeth Blau & Assoc. Seyhmus Baloglu 3 ...... UNLV Singapore Associate Dean Stan Bromley Meadowood Grand Opening Andrew Feinstein ’91, ’95 MS Associate Dean John R. Donovan Jr...... Station Casinos Looks Aramark 4 Andy Nazarechuk ’79, ’85 MS to the Future Dean, UNLV Singapore Deirdre Flynn NAFEM Pearl Brewer, Director 8 ...... Alum Reinvents Jazz Graduate Studies Marvin M. Franklin Commercial Growth Partners ...... 2nd Annual Vallen Dinner Pat Moreo ’69, ’83 Ed.D. 10 Douglas K. Fryett Chair, Food & Beverage Fryett Consulting Group of Distinction Management Richard J. Goeglein Gail Sammons ’87 MS 14 ...... Gaming Technology Evening Star Hospitality Chair, Hotel Management Robert N. Grimes for Tomorrow Patti Shock Accuvia Chair, Tourism & Convention 15 ...... There’s a Finger in My Chili Administration David W. Head Romacorp, Inc...... Fieri Wins Food Network Courtesy of Food Network Judy Nagai 20 Director of Alumni Affairs Mary Mahoney Reality Show Cendant Timeshare Resort Group Karin Olsen Director of External Relations Bill McBeath ’86 22 ...... Gambling-Addiction Research Bellagio Featured on Strictly Dr. Drew Alumni Association E. Dean McClain Board of Directors Nevada Gold Tulsa 30 ...... Honor Roll of Giving Bobbie Barnes ’93, ’05 M.Ed. Stephen G. Michaelides The Mirage Words, Ink 36 ...... Invent the Paula Eylar ’89, ’97 MBA Richard Mirman Future Boyd Gaming Harrah’s Entertainment Campaign Dennis Gradillas ’91 Jim Moore Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Moore Ideas, Inc. Update Arthur Nathan Christine Paskvan Kiely ’90 Wynn Las Vegas Clear Channel Taxi Media Roman O’Gorman Fayyaz Raja ’92, ’95 Station Casinos Raja Enterprises Douglas Parker Sal Semola ’81 The Parker Co. Rampart Casino Bill Paulos ’69 Jennifer (Eskin) Smith ’04 MS Millennium Management Group Thomas & Mack Center Tom Shelbourne Holly Mae (Sparks) Lindsay ’99 Cendant Timeshare Resort Group Delmonico Steakhouse Christopher Silva Executive Members St. Francis Winery & Vineyards DEPARTMENTS James Germain ’75 Susie Southgate-Fox USA Hosts Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Dean’s Message ...... 2 Bill McBeath ’86 Arch Stokes, Esquire Bellagio Shea, Stokes & Carter, ALC Why I Chose this Industry ...... 6 Anthony Santo ’84 John F. Sweeney, RRP, ISHC Caesars Entertainment Global Resorts, Inc. Student Spotlight ...... 7 Managing Editor Taketoshi Takemoto Ace Denken Co. Judy Nagai Alumni Updates...... 32 Editor Claudine Williams Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. Robyn Campbell-Ouchida ’00 MA Congratulations ...... 34

UNLV is an AA/EEO Institution Cover photo by Geri Kodey Concept design by Georgina Corbalan

Design & production by Reprographics/Design Services 1 PREM IER • FA LL 2006

A Message From Dean Mann

foreign partner. We would visit I made was to the Economic give the UNLV degree Development Board (EDB). The with UNLV courses taught EDB had prepared a special by UNLV faculty. This is PowerPoint presentation with not a common model for UNLV logos on virtually every U.S. universities in Asia, slide! I learned that a major goal of nor is it a simple model to their strategic plan was to increase execute. With the support of economic development by having many offices at UNLV, both prominent international academic academic and nonacademic, programs established in Singapore On we were able to receive to entice students from around the permission from the Singaporean globe to study there. Their goal Aug. Ministry of Education to offer these is to bring 150,000 international 2, we stand-alone degrees. This is the students into their “Global had the grand opening of UNLV first time Singapore had approved Schoolhouse.” They wanted UNLV Singapore, a campus devoted such request. to join a select group of educational solely to the delivery of the B.S. Why Singapore? The decision is institutions, which includes Duke, in Hotel Administration and defensibly sound. The discovery is Johns Hopkins, Stanford, MIT, the Executive Master’s Degree serendipity. Northwestern, Georgia Tech, in Hospitality Administration. On May 5, 2004, three men and Cornell, to name just a few. As I look back on our faculty’s arrived in my office for an Needless to say, I was quite proud appointment: Mr. Vikram Khanna, and flattered. first discussions of delivering associate editor of the Singapore Observing the geographic our degrees in Asia, I must say Business Times, who was to proximity of Singapore to China I didn’t think we could make it conduct an interview; Mr. Weng- and really all of Asia, we are happen this quickly. Hee Ho, U.S. commercial services hopeful it will be a springboard officer from the U.S. Embassy for the entire East. The first In May of 2001, I made a trip in Singapore; and Mr. Jonathan language of Singapore is English, to Asia, my first trip in search of Galaviz, president of the Singapore not a standard in most of the rest an appropriate location for our Association of Nevada, who had of Asia. And the country is clean, programs. I visited Japan and informed Mr. Khanna of the contemporary, and comfortable Korea in 2001; Hong Kong, Macau, reputation of the Harrah Hotel for UNLV faculty members who and China in 2003; China once College. The interview focused would need to spend time there. On more; and Singapore in 2004. My on our hospitality and recreation top of that, the EDB provided the focus was on meeting the faculties management programs and our financial assistance required by the from prominent Asian universities plans for international development. Nevada System of Higher Education involved with hospitality and I was encouraged by them to (NSHE). Singapore offered more recreation management education investigate the opportunities in than anywhere else I had visited or to see whether partnerships Singapore. Conveniently, I had had researched. were possible and to get their planned another trip to Asia in the Several more trips to Singapore recommendations. coming weeks and would be able to were necessary to make appropriate I brought back to the faculty my visit Singapore at that time. So in arrangements for facilities and findings and recommendations, mid-May 2004, I visited Singapore for the filing of the required along with those of Andy for the first time. government documents. The Nazarechuk, who had spent two I engaged the U.S. Commercial EDB was exceedingly helpful and years teaching in China, Japan, and Service to assist me in Singapore. cooperative in making all of these Korea. We concluded that the way Weng-Hee was assigned the task. logistics as painless as possible. At in which we wanted to protect the He made arrangements for me appropriate times, the NSHE Board integrity of our degree programs to meet important government of Regents, the president, and the was to deliver them without a officials. The most important MESSAGE continued on page 28

2 PREM IER • FA LL 2006 UNLV SINGAPORE GRAND OPENING

“Each time I travel to Singapore, I am struck by the cultural richness of its many communities. This reinforces my belief that this country serves as a world model for diversity. As a result, our students on this new campus will not only learn the fundamentals of hotel administration and hospitality management, but will also truly understand the future of global societies and economies, and will be ready to assume leadership positions in the industry.” —UNLV President David B. Ashley

“We are delighted that UNLV has chosen to site its first overseas campus in Singapore. This campus will further develop our goal to be a Global Schoolhouse. Through UNLV, Singaporeans and others in this region can acquire specialized qualifications to advance their careers in the Tourism sector.” —Singapore Minister of Manpower Ng Eng Hen

TOP PHOTO: The UNLV Singapore staff responsible for the grand opening events and for welcoming the first class of students this fall. (L-R) Yati Durame, Clare Ng, Andy Nazarechuk, Mandy Lim, Percy Huang, TOP PHOTO: The Singapore National Library houses UNLV Singapore on and Judy Yeow. the 10th and 11th floors. MIDDLE: State-of-the-art classrooms are a focal point, BOTTOM: The traditional Chinese lion dance ensures that good fortune, providing students with the most advanced use of prosperity, and longevity are bestowed upon the new facility. Among technology in this unique learning environment. the dignitaries who participated were (L-R) UNLV Singapore Dean Andy Nazarechuk, UNLV President David B. Ashley, U.S. Ambassador to BOTTOM: The graduate student lounge is a space for the Republic of Singapore Patricia L. Herbold, Singapore’s Minister for students and faculty to gather outside of class. Manpower Ng Eng Hen, Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regent Stavros Anthony, and UNLV Harrah Hotel College Dean Stuart H. Mann. 3 Local Favorite Station Casinos Makes Education Accessible For Deserving Students

Premier sat down with Valerie Murzl, vice president of human resources for Station Casinos, to learn more about the special scholarship gift her company recently gave to the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. The following story was compiled from that interview.

tation Casinos’ Chairman and CEO Frank Fertitta III had known for a while that he wanted Sto do something to help students in the Harrah Hotel College. “He asked Lesley Pittman (Station’s vice president of corporate and government relations) and me to meet with hotel college personnel, including Dean Mann, and come up with some options that he could review,” recalls Murzl. “After a few months of meetings and research, Lesley and I presented the options to Frank, and he decided we should implement a scholarship plan. Once the initial agreement was worked out between the university and Station Casinos, I took leadership of the project.” Giving back to the community is a core philosophy that exists in every level of operation within Station Casinos. Education is a top priority, as is assisting local nonprofit agencies and organizations. With that in mind, it’s not surprising that this top-notch company was eager to establish a larger presence at UNLV. Murzl, no stranger to UNLV, as she has spoken at a number of events and classes on campus, was excited about getting to know the faculty and students of the Harrah Hotel College better. “My job is all about cultivating a team base, and that’s what I hope to do through this scholarship,” she says. “UNLV has never had a solid scholarship program relating to Station Casinos, and I’m thrilled about the presence this will help us have on campus.” The partnership will include a $500,000 commitment UNLV Alumni are also proud Station Casinos over five years and will be used in two programs: two- employees, named by Fortune magazine as one of thirds of the money will be used to fund scholarships the “100 Best Companies to Work for.” Pictured for deserving students, and the remaining third will are (L-R) Regina Basuel ’95 Hotel Administration, allow the college to expand its minority recruitment. Palace Station team member relations manager; “We would like to increase our interaction with Millie (Dilworth) Thomas ’85 Business, corporate students and, eventually, with them as alumni,” states director of training and development; Brian Green ’00 Business, corporate director of team member STATION continued on page 29 relations; Valerie Murzl, vice president of human 4 resources; and Jennifer Saverino ’99 Liberal Arts, Red Rock employment recruiter. Photography by Geri Kodey Local Favorite Station Casinos Makes Education

Accessible For Deserving Students by Robyn Campbell-Ouchida ’00 MA PREM IER • FA LL 2006

WHY I CHOSE TO WORK IN THIS INDUSTRY

e’s come a long way from a teenager making Hpizzas in his hometown of Kalamazoo, Mich. While many people don’t discover their true calling until later in life, student Nate Arkush got started early in the food and beverage industry. His first job led him into the exciting, fast-paced world of dining, and for Arkush, it just keeps getting better. ARTE NATHAN “I learned early on that I really enjoyed the constant stimulation Senior Vice President & and high energy of this industry,” says Arkush. “I started working at Chief Human Resources Officer a gourmet Italian restaurant when Wynn Las Vegas I was 16 years old, and the two brothers who own it really took me National Advisory Board Member under their wings. They saw that I had an interest in the industry, have a bachelor’s degree from Cornell’s School of Industrial and both became really important and Labor Relations and was actually trained for a profession mentors to me. I was fortunate Iin human resources. After graduation, I worked in the steel enough to work virtually all positions in the dining room, bar, industry, but decided to look for something more stable when international competition started to accelerate in the early 1980s. and even the kitchen through an I met with Steve Wynn and he told me of a human resources apprenticeship with the executive position he needed to fill at the new Golden Nugget in Atlantic chef.” City. I met with the executives there and found that a human After graduating from high resources position in any industry deals mainly with the people; school, he looked into culinary the product is secondary, and I was fascinated with the excitement training schools and, upon a of the hospitality industry. I said, “Yes,” and spent the next six suggestion, looked into a new months working in every department and learning all about what program in Austin, Texas. “My makes a casino hotel work. aunt is a counselor for Austin I have spent the last 23 years working in and loving this Community College (ACC), and environment that allows me to sharpen my skills and develop they happened to be starting a new strategies. At the end of the day, the hospitality industry is culinary curriculum there. It a perfect showplace for the types and levels of service that help turned out to be a great program make companies successful. and experience for me.” While a student at ACC, Arkush got a job at the Barton Creek Resort and Spa as a beverage coordinator. “I 6 PREM IER • FA LL 2006 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT by Robyn Campbell-Ouchida ’00 MA Nate Arkush ’07

immediately impressed. It became very apparent that the diversity and opportunity for hands-on experience in the world’s most successful hotels, restaurants, and conventions set this program apart from virtually all other hospitality programs out there.” In addition to his studies at UNLV, Arkush, who will graduate in 2007, serves as the operations manager for the World Tea Expo, the world’s largest trade show and conference dedicated to the specialty tea industry. In this position, he manages the overall execution of the annual event, including contract negotiation, managing event vendors and on-site staff, and developing and managing operational budgets. “Working this job while attending UNLV has been great for me,” states Arkush. “The company is extremely supportive of my Nate Arkush is pictured with his friend, restaurant rm Chef Rick Moonen, education as it has really helped who conducted a “Cooking with Tea Demonstration” on the exhibit hall me focus and made me a better floor at the 2006 World Tea Expo, which brought more than 4,000 industry asset to the company. I’ve been participants from across the globe to Las Vegas last March. very impressed with the classes and have never seen a faculty applied for a position in the dining One of his ACC instructors with the energy level, experience, room but ended up working in the was a 1995 Harrah Hotel College and know-how that my professors beverage department. I helped graduate and suggested he look have. They really care about the manage the liquor room and into UNLV. “Bryan Gardner is success and professional growth coordinated inventory to all of the the director of human resources of the students!” beverage outlets throughout the for the Four Seasons in Austin resort while learning about the and thought that UNLV would hierarchy and operations of larger be a good program for me as he hospitality properties. When I felt that it offers students a very finished my degree at ACC, I well-rounded education,” recalls Photography by Geri Kodey knew that I wanted to continue my Arkush. “I began researching the education in this area.” Harrah Hotel College and was 7 Photography by Geri Kodey UNLV Alumnus Keeping the Sounds of the Past Alive by Robyn Campbell-Ouchida ’00 MA

he 1930s and 1940s were times of growth for picture when I was 12 and let me stop taking lessons, the musical sounds of the “crooners” and their which meant I had time to teach myself to play what T big band counterparts. The popularity of jazz I liked.” music from artistic hubs like Chicago and New When Zaide was 9 years old, he also began playing Orleans eventually found its way to Las Vegas in the the trumpet, but it was the same thing — he didn’t classic lounge tradition of performers like Frank want to play what the instructor had in mind. “I Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and Dean Martin. Music has wanted to join a jazz band!” He taught himself other a way of evoking powerful feelings and memories of songs on the trumpet, just as he had on the piano. bygone eras, and this genre is no exception. Alumnus “I guess I was a closet jazz freak,” he admits, when Lorel Zaide ’99 is ensuring that this musical format talking about his high school years. “I wanted to be is not forgotten. Not your typical college graduate, cool in high school and got into hip hop and techno Zaide’s musical tastes and sounds have been music, but my heart was still in the classics.” compared to Chet Baker, a jazz icon of the 1950s. After graduating from high school, Zaide began Raised on Chicago’s west side, Zaide was used taking voice lessons through a community college in to hearing the musical stylings of the 1940s in his Chicago. “I took lessons between my other classes. home. With parents originally from the Philippines, I wanted to sing rhythm and blues, but my teacher he grew up hearing the stories of the American said, ‘I’m not sure your voice is cut out for that,’ and soldiers’ occupation there during World War II and suggested I try jazz, which was cool since I knew a the music and other traditions they brought from lot of tunes from my childhood dinner table. home. By the time Zaide was born, his parents had “I fell in love with jazz right then. In 1994, I decided relocated to Chicago but were still enjoying that to move to Las Vegas with a friend. I had been there a music from decades past. few times as kid — had done the Circus Circus thing “During dinner, we would always listen to the AM — and I was interested in studying hotels and travel. radio,” reminisces Zaide. “I started getting into music My family is in the real estate business, and I’ve when I was a really small kid and was taking piano always believed that hospitality goes hand in hand lessons before my fifth birthday. I remember my dad with that industry. used to tell me that my uncle had a piano, and I was “I started at Community College of Southern absolutely fascinated by it! We would visit him, and I Nevada and transferred to UNLV in 1996. I still would bang away on that poor piano’s keys the entire remember my first semester there. I had a hotel time we were there.” entertainment class with Joe Delaney, which was just The problem with piano lessons was that although great! He took us on field trips to a variety of shows, Zaide was truly interested in the instrument, he and my career plan kind of evolved from there. wanted to play music by Scott Joplin, Billy Joel and, Before that, I had always thought I would be more on of course, the pop idols of his youth. “My piano the business side of things, but I started thinking that teacher was really ‘old school,’” says Zaide. “She kept maybe I could actually perform.” trying to get me to play classical things, like Baroque Zaide started sitting in with a number of jazz music, and while I liked them well enough, they just combos around town and became involved in didn’t hold my interest. My parents finally got the ALUMNUS continued on page 25

9 PREM IER • FA LL 2006 2ND ANNUAL VALLEN DINNER OF DISTINCTION by Judy Nagai

he UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration honored a number of T outstanding hospitality industry executives during the second annual Vallen Dinner of Distinction April 27, 2006, at the Mirage Casino & Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. Master of ceremonies Don Snyder, retired president of Boyd Gaming, and Dean Stuart Mann, announced the industry awards. The event was named after Jerome (founding dean of the college) and his wife, Flossie Vallen, in 2005 to honor their vision and contributions to establishing the nationally ranked hospitality program. The Alumnus of the Year award was presented to William Paulos, principal, Millennium Dean Mann, Bill Paulos, Susan Schwartz, Rich Mirman, Management Group. Paulos was a member of the and Bill Allen prior to the awards ceremony first graduating class of the college in 1969 and has since established his career in the gaming industry. Each department chairperson presented awards to the person selected as Industry Executive of the Year. Awards were presented to William Allen III, chief executive officer, Outback Steakhouse/OSI, (Food & Beverage Management Department); Richard Mirman, senior vice president of business development, Harrah’s Entertainment, (Hotel Management Department); and Susan Schwartz, president and founder, ConvExx (Tourism & Convention Administration Department). In addition to the awards, a silent auction and live auction were held during the evening. Most auction items were generously donated by local and national companies which allowed the college to raise more than $40,000. These funds have been directed toward the Vallen Professorship, an endowed professorship to commemorate the founding dean’s commitment and accomplishments within hospitality education. The professorship will make funds available to bring distinguished industry and educational Bill Paulos with UNLV’s seventh president, Carol Harter leaders to teach, guest lecture, and consult with students and faculty. Special thanks are extended to all of our generous donors, including Scott Sibella ’88 and the Mirage staff, and to DeLuca Liquor and Wine for their sponsorship of the opening reception. 10 PREM IER • FA LL 2006

Don Snyder, Bill Allen (center), and Andy Feinstein Don and Dee Snyder greet Carol Harter and Dean Stuart Mann

Susan Schwartz (center) accepts her award from Andy Feinstein with Regents Stavros Anthony Don Snyder and Patti Shock and James Dean Leavitt

Alumnus of the Year Bill Paulos with Don Snyder Dean Mann presents Carol Harter with and Dean Mann the Dean’s Medal of Distinction

Dean Mann and Rich Mirman enjoy the Don Snyder, Gail Sammons, and Richard Mirman silent auction before the dinner 11 PREM IER • FA LL 2006

THIRD YEAR OF EVENT ATTRACTS EVEN MORE ATTENDEES Students Plan Hospitality Summit by Heather Willden, summit graduate student manager he third annual Las Vegas a two-day trade show, designed a University of New Orleans, and International Hospitality new website to promote the event, Cris Canning of Hospitality Ink. T and Convention Summit, arranged the logistics, and handled The keynote address was delivered hosted by UNLV, attracted some registration. by Australian events producer Phil of the hospitality industry’s best, Presentation topics included Harte of Harte Management, who for an intensive three-day research gaming, budgeting, and spoke on the topic of global event conference. This event attracted financial aspects of the lodging management (www.harte.com.au). attendees from as far away as India industry, tourism, trade shows, The event was sponsored by and South America. technology, hotel safety and the LVCVA. The MGM Grand They came not to play, but to security, workplace violence, and Wynn hotels offered tours of participate in discussions about and multiculturalism. Another their facilities, showcasing their current research and future trends feature of the event was a full-day rooms, meeting space, restaurants, in the industry. There is no other workshop offered on the Event nightclubs, and showrooms. conference of its kind, where Management Body of Knowledge The best paper award was educators, graduate students, (EMBOK) project, facilitated by presented to Dr. Anthony F. and industry professionals come Julia Rutherford Silvers (www. Lucas, William T. Dunn, and together to share ideas and juliasilvers.com/embok.html). Anna Kharitonova of UNLV and information. The audience took a trip into Barona Casino for their paper on The event was planned and the future as Dean Stuart Mann “Estimating the Indirect Gaming managed by students in the moderated a crystal ball panel Contribution of Bingo Rooms.” tourism and convention capstone made up of educators and industry For information about next year’s class and provided a unique, experts. Panelists included Summit, please visit our website at hands-on learning opportunity for Mark Haley of the Las Vegas www.lvsummit.com. the students. The students solicited Convention and Visitors Authority event sponsors and exhibitors for (LVCVA), George Fenich from the

Got Jobs? Announce Your Jobs and Internships to Students There’s something you should know about…the Harrah Hotel College student listserver. A convenient tool to reach current students, the listserver is easy to use and o!ers a wealth of information. With 3,000 students subscribed, it is the best way to get the word out to students. If you are looking to hire a student or a recent graduate, this is just the place to post that information. On the listserver, you can advertise (at no cost): • Full-time jobs • Part-time jobs • Internships • Volunteer opportunities To announce a position opening, internship, or volunteer opportunity, simply e-mail the information to [email protected]. The information should include: • A subject line containing position information and location: (ex. PT catering asst in LV, FT sales position in SF or summer internship in Denver) • All of the relevant information, as Yahoo does not accept large attachments and does not archive any attachments • Contact information The message should be written TO the students, as it will be forwarded in exactly the manner it is received. There is no way to “recall” or “unpost” a message once it is forwarded; the messages go directly into student e-mail. Join the technological age and check out this exciting service!

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Outstanding Mentors Recognized

by Judy Nagai

ach year, dozens of hospitality industry mentors and their mentees. Debi Nutton, vice professionals participate in the UNLV Hotel president of casino operations, MGM Grand, served EMentor Program as an opportunity to guide as keynote speaker, and MGM MIRAGE graciously and advise students. This partnership between UNLV sponsored this event. A number of talented and and the hospitality industry serves to strengthen committed mentors received special recognition as relationships and provide students with insight and follows: guidance to prepare them MENTOR OF THE YEAR: for successful Gus Tejeda ’89 hospitality Echelon Resorts careers. vice president of sales “This is one of the most unique OUTSTANDING MENTOR AWARDS: mentoring Jenn Whinnery programs in the Mirage Hotel & Casino country. It is a senior convention services manager perfect example of business Jenna Ball and academia Caesars Palace working assistant director of weddings together for the Stacey Purcell ’90 benefit of the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino student,” says national sales director Mentor Program Alumnus Gus Tejeda, selected as Chuck Bombard Director Mentor of the Year 2005–06, is Tournament Players Club at Summerlin Professor Erv pictured with Dean Stuart H. Mann. general manager/director of golf Crawford. Mentors serve as role models who share their THE JOHN YASKIN AWARD: knowledge, experience, and advice to help students George Cordon in a variety of ways. From sharing career advice to Four Seasons Hotel providing opportunities for students to “shadow” the general manager mentor at work, having a mentor is significant to the student experience. THE FOUNDER’S AWARD: “I like to share my experiences, both good and bad, Dr. Andy Nazarechuk ’79, ’85 MS with students as it may help them with future career UNLV Singapore campus dean choices. Selfishly, I consider each mentee for future career opportunities either with my employer or with For information on becoming a mentor and someone I know who could benefit from the mentee’s learning how you and your colleagues can become abilities,” says Gus Tejeda ’89, mentor of the year and mentors and to sign up online, please visit the vice president of sales for Echelon Resorts. Mentors website: http://hotel.unlv.edu/mentorprogram/ or like Tejeda are highly valued and respected for their contact Mentor Program Director Erv Crawford, commitment to hospitality education. (702) 895-4408, [email protected]. The annual mentor reception was held during spring 2006 to recognize the contributions of the

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Gaming Standards Association MAKING STUDENTS TECHNOLOGICALLY SAVVY FOR TOMORROW by Robyn Campbell-Ouchida ’00 MA

he Gaming Standards Informatics. These professors requirements to support Nevada’s Association (GSA) has been will instruct a course in gaming largest industry.” T preparing the world for the technology wherein students The G2S was developed by the future of gaming technology since may become GSA member 1996 and, with its recent generous certified companies gift to the William F. Harrah in GSA to provide College of Hotel Administration, standards for the gaming will be able to prepare the the new G2S industry with a technology workers of tomorrow protocol. communications for a world with GSA standards. “UNLV’s protocol GSA is an international trade College capable of association that creates benefits of Hotel supporting the for gaming manufacturers, Administration is well regarded new technology being rolled suppliers, operators, and around the world, and now onto casino floors. The G2S regulators. By its School of protocol, which stands for Game facilitating the Informatics to System protocol, provides the identification, “UNLV’s College of will be able to communication link between the definition, offer a course gaming devices on the casino floor development, Hotel Administration is in what we truly and the host servers in the casino promotion, and believe is the back offices. This new protocol implementation well regarded around future of gaming will enable casino operators to of open technology,” says provide features that are currently standards, it the world, and now its GSA President not possible such as “on-demand” is enabling Peter DeRaedt. program download and “patron- innovation, “Together we will aware” machines that will education, and School of Informatics develop the GSA- automatically download patrons’ communication certified program favorite games when they place for the benefit will be able to offer to support their player cards in them. of the entire the transfer The G2S protocol is XML-based industry. a course in what we of knowledge and represents cutting-edge Over the next embedded in our software design. The G2S protocol three years, the truly believe is the standards. The is designed to operate on a SOAP/ GSA board of gaming industry Web Services transport layer with directors has future of gaming as a whole will SSL providing data security. The agreed to provide benefit from unique subscription features and a $900,000 grant technology.” having access modular design of the protocol in order to create to current and allow better, and more secure, two professor- highly trained access to slot floor data than is in-residence students. currently available. Additionally, positions for the Harrah Hotel Graduates will have both the by providing a single means of College and UNLV’s School of academic and gaming experience communication from the game

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to the system, G2S eliminates at communication standards. least two different proprietary His thought was to protocols that typically provide organize the industry’s that function for each game. The manufacturers to eliminate result of having a single G2S some of the technological communication protocol will communication problems provide more reliable and stable that were facing his communications on the casino company as well as floor. those facing many of the Once the professors are hired industry’s other companies. for this At the end project, they “GSA believes that in of 1997, will instruct 65 people in the order to retain the most representing International 20 companies Gaming profitable customers had come Institute together, building on and attract new ones which led to campus. the selection “They will on an increasingly of a cabinet in be teaching a 1997. In May certification competitive playing of 1998, the course for association the G2S field, operators need was officially GSA President Peter DeRaedt protocol,” formed as says Patty more sophisticated a nonprofit seamlessly — from the game and Becker, organization. Since its peripherals to the host systems executive means of tracking then, it has grown that track playing activity and director to include more hospitality transactions to the of the IGI. patron patterns than 53 members booths and kiosks where players “This is and affiliates. cash out. going to and preferences In 2001, the Recognizing the need for be a great association decided integration of gaming products collaboration and responding to to change its formal and systems, a growing contingent between name in order to of operators and manufacturers academia marketplace demands reflect the growing is collaborating, through GSA, and business number of casino to develop a set of gaming and a before competitors do.” operators that have standards that fulfills the promise wonderful joined. of seamless communication opportunity GSA believes and interoperability. Directing for the gaming industry to be on that in order to retain the most a successful slot operation top of technology.” profitable customers and attract today and into the future is a The GSA, which was formed new ones on an increasingly challenging task. Equipment and during 1996’s World Gaming competitive playing field, systems that are developed in line Congress & Expo in Las Vegas, operators need more sophisticated with the latest open standards and came about when Acres Gaming means of tracking patron patterns ongoing collaboration between founder John Acres addressed a and preferences and responding casinos and manufacturers group of attendees representing to marketplace demands before ensure that operators will be well some of the industry’s largest competitors do. To achieve this equipped to manage the evolution equipment suppliers about goal, casino systems must be able of marketplace demands. the issues pertaining to to communicate with one another

15 oman says she found finger in Wendy’s POINTING THE FINGER: “W chili.” That headline in early 2005 drew national attention and led to a sharp drop UNLV Research Shows in sales for Wendy’s, even after the event was revealed as a sickening hoax. The fast-food chain’s chief response to win customers What Kept Customers back was to offer a weekend of free Frosty shakes as a show of goodwill and commitment. Away From Wendy’s Now researchers from UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration as well as the College of Business show why that After Infamous “Finger approach didn’t work, and they offer more viable solutions for companies like Wendy’s that have in Chili” Incident had to deal with negative publicity, potentially resulting in millions of dollars saved. by Karen Sharp Kathryn LaTour, an assistant professor of hospitality marketing in the hotel college, and her husband, Mike, professor and chair in the department The idea was to test the power of marketing in the College that advertising might have of Business, researched what on consumers’ memories and went wrong during and after emotions. “The one thing we did the Wendy’s investigation. alter between the two treatments Their study of the effects of was we included a play-land reconstructive memory offers structure, which is something suggestions for businesses McDonalds’s did to try to dealing with the damage of differentiate itself in the a reputation that follows an marketplace,” says Kathryn. instance of negative publicity, “We were interested not like the finger-in-the-chili only in whether Wendy’s episode. “When I saw what could create emotional Wendy’s was doing with its attachment to the customer Husband and advertising, offering free Frosty’s, through childhood memories wife research but also, by including trying to lure people back through team Kathryn price promotions, I thought, ‘This and Mike LaTour some images that might is not the way to do it,’” says investigate be associated with other Kathryn. “They really have to do the effects of restaurants, in whether something that’s more emotional reconstructive we could, in fact, get them and try to create nostalgia for the memory. to reconstruct and have product.” different memories from what they The LaTours combined research experience with Wendy’s. The might have had without seeing the they had done on childhood research team developed two print advertisements.” memories and also false memory advertisements, one illustrating an The LaTours surveyed 100 to see whether using different offer for a free Frosty — which is participants, all undergraduate types of ads could actually how Wendy’s actually responded students at UNLV, who were alter what people remember to the crisis — and the other regular fast-food consumers and about their childhood and, depicting a young child happily who indicated they knew about more specifically, about their eating Wendy’s burgers and fries. the finger-in-the-chili incident. 16 Participants saw only one version of the ad and then provided feedback on their attitudes toward the ad. They then indicated how likely it was that they had fond memories of eating at Wendy’s as children. The other group indicated their feelings toward the restaurant after being offered free food in the wake of the finger episode. “The typical response to such service failures is to offer comps or some price discount,” says Mike. “Wendy’s attempted to ‘fix’ its public-relations problem by offering free Frostys. In our research, we found that trying to appeal to consumers rationally through offering free promotions is not as effective as trying to appeal to them on an emotional level.” Mike says their research showed that offering something for free can often make the consumer suspect of the provider’s intent. “In the longer term, such price changes can lead to a discounting mentality among consumers,” he says. Kathryn says their research offers a different approach. “If the hotel and restaurant industry instead focuses on framing consumers’ experiences with emotionally engaging communications, there lies the opportunity to both harbor greater loyalty and maintain price integrity,” she says. “For instance, in our research, we found that an advertisement for Wendy’s that referenced childhood The research team developed two autobiographical experiences led print advertisements, one illustrating to more favorable brand attitudes and likelihood to revisit than did an offer for a free Frosty — which is the free Frosty promotional ad.” The LaTours’ analysis, “Is how Wendy’s actually responded to That a Finger in My Chili? Using Effective Advertising for Post- the crisis — and the other depicting Crisis Brand Repair,” is featured a young child happily eating Wendy’s in the prestigious Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration burgers and fries. Quarterly, the most highly ranked journal in its area, per a recent national ranking study. 17 PREM IER • FA LL 2006 PREM IER • FA LL 2006

SUMMER SOJOURN IN ITALY by Deborah Barrash, Ph.D.

long with and the castle before students and participating in a A faculty from six formal tasting of some other hospitality and of the best Castello culinary programs, Banfi wines. Siena two UNLV students, was on the agenda Louis Fiorentino and for the following day Dominic Sachet, and before the gala dinner their faculty adviser, at Ristorante Castello Professor Deborah Banfi, a coveted one- Barrash, were lucky star Michelin rated enough to attend the restaurant. On the last 2006 Banfi Foundation day in Montalcino, Scholastic Trip to Italy the students visited a this summer. The local bakery and then American and Italian attended a cooking staff of Castello Banfi class where they Louis Fiorentino ’07, Professor Deborah Barrash, and welcomed them into the Dominic Sachet ’07 were selected to participate in the Banfi learned how to make Banfi family. scholastic trip to Italy during the summer. pici pasta and Tuscan They were picked up bread salad. The last from the Milan airport day of the trip was and whisked to Vigne Regali, a cheese is produced and then spent touring Rome and watching 19th-century sparkling wine cellar to Cantina Riunite where they the U.S. and Italian soccer teams and vineyard in Piedmont. After toured the impressive facility and tie in the World Cup competition touring the property, a lavish sampled the celebrated wines. On while dining at yet another fine buffet lunch, along with multiple the third day, they learned how restaurant. Overall, the students Banfi wines, was provided before aged balsamic vinegar is made were treated to a rare opportunity the group headed to their hotel from the producers at Acetaia to learn about Italian food, wine, in Parma and a night filled with Dodi. and culture from extremely fabulous food and wine. The Tuscany was the next stop on knowledgeable and generous next day they were taken to a this whirlwind trip. Castello Banfi hosts, Banfi Vintners. How else traditional Parmigiano Reggiano is located in Montalcino. Students would anyone have wanted to factory to learn how this famous toured the vineyard, the winery, spend their summer vacation?

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Resort Hotels, Timeshares Can Coexist to Maximize Land Use

By John Sweeney, H&MM Columnist Past Chairman, Harrah Hotel College National Advisory Board

he concept of timesharing as a mixed-use • Amortization of land and product integrated into hotel development is not infrastructure costs among mixed- Tnew — but its light is shining brighter. In the use segments. United States, approximately 40 percent of the 2005 • Presenting a full-service resort timeshare sales volume came from branded hotels, image counters, or mitigates, and it increases each year. competition. Existing assets • Mixed use provides flexible The success of the timeshare in the last two decades accommodation options — one- has sent a wake-up call to the hotel industry that resort and two-bedroom timeshare hotels should be aligned with timeshare development. villas. The concept has become pivotal for project expansion, • Beneficial use of name/brand awareness woven into enhancement of brand awareness, and a new source of timeshare promotions. growth and profitability. • Timesharing becomes a vehicle for internal Targeting hotels as co-developers of timeshare consumer migration as lifestyles change. projects is fostered by the following issues: • Strengthening of brand leverage through use of • The timeshare customer is congruent with the loyalty programs. historical hotel guest profile. • Cross-marketing opportunities create savings and • Resort hotels offer amenities, food and beverage increase efficiency. services, and other hospitality features. These value- • Furniture, fixture, and equipment purchasing and added product enhancements are bulwarks for replacement buying power sustains competitive sustainable competitive advantage. advantage. • Established hotels often have location advantage and • Underutilized rooms can produce revenue from good accessibility. timeshare marketing operations. • Hotels generally possess sufficient land or available • Fixed expenses are stabilized and create better product for timeshare conversion or construction departmental efficiency. projects. • New segment offers additional career opportunities. • Timeshare mixed-use applications accelerate debt • Owner maintenance fees provide revenue to support service through high sales velocity. hotel departmental services. • Established resorts have labor that dovetails service levels with customer expectations. What about the downside? • Regulatory hurdles are more easily surmounted Every good thing has a downside, and this is no because of hotel experience in development. exception. Mixed use management is more complex, • Timeshare units offer another product line for rental calling for more precise balancing among hotel and group use options. operations, timeshare owners, and owner associations. In addition: • Hotel guests become good timeshare prospects: They are locked in, and the competition is locked out. • Housekeeping, accounting, security and maintenance are more challenging, with a more This is not a one-sided relationship where the diverse product mix. timesharing developer receives all the advantages. The nascent rise of the consumer’s acceptance of • Amenities may have to be expanded and can be the product has earned credibility and respect. overtaxed with additional timeshare customer use. Timesharing is here to stay. The challenge is to make it • Operators must respond to different sets of guest/ successfully coexist with hotels. owner needs and expectations. [email protected]

Benefits go both ways John F. Sweeney, RRP, ISHC, a member of the International Society of Hospitality Let’s look at the benefits of hotel/timesharing mixed use: Consultants (ishc.com) is chairman & C.E.O. of Global Resorts Inc. of Las Vegas. E- mail at [email protected]. • Full land utilization, especially where demand does Reprinted with permission from Hotel & Motel Management. not justify additional rooms. Copyright ©2006. All rights reserved. May 1, 2006. 19 Photography by Geri Kodey Guy’s Big Break by Erin O’Donnell

f you were watching Guy’s Big Bite this summer “My dad said, ‘Put yourself in environments where on the Food Network, you might have learned to you can learn,’” Fieri says, and so he turned to a Imake a dish that originated at UNLV. mom-and-pop chain for his next gig. By the age of 23, Show host Guy Fieri ’90 BS Hotel Management, he was general manager, running eight restaurants. originally whipped up his blackened chicken Alfredo In 1996, Fieri and a partner decided they were for a class assignment. Today, it’s a signature item ready to strike out on their own and opened Johnny at Fieri’s northern California restaurant, Johnny Garlic’s in Santa Rosa. Today, they also have Russell Garlic’s Pasta Grill. Ramsay’s Chop House and Tex But Food Network fans know Wasabi’s, a wild mix of barbecue Fieri, 38, for more than his and sushi (where a popular inventive food fusion. He’s the appetizer is a dish of spicy “Vegas winner of the first installment of fries”). Next Food Network Star, a reality Fieri says his years in the competition staged earlier this Harrah Hotel College played a big year. With his white-blond shock role in his success because he got of hair, tattooed arms, and a little a 360-degree view of hospitality bit of bling, his energetic image set that went beyond food and him apart from his seven fellow beverage basics into equipment contestants, appealing to a new management and employee generation of foodies who want to relations. He’s worked to pass that entertain in a big way, without a lot view on to his employees. of fuss. “One of the guidelines in our That’s what his reward, Guy’s company is that you start as Big Bite, was all about — food a dishwasher. Even if you’re a that’s easy to make and fun to regional manager, for the first two share. Fieri fills the screen with his Courtesy of Food Network days, you wash dishes. It’s not to personality, cooking in skillets that Guy Fieri on the set of Guy’s Big Bite beat you down, but you’re going to are “crankin’ hot” and mixing a “slammin’” Caesar be looking up from that day forward,” Fieri says. salad. “I once had a busboy say to me, ‘The only reason Already a successful restaurant owner, Fieri I clean this grease trap is because I know you do it.’ didn’t need the Food Network to make his mark. “I It’s pure down-home inspiration through leadership, think one of reasons I did well in the competition is and that’s a lot of what I learned at UNLV.” because I didn’t have to win. I have my life,” he says. That’s why Fieri also returns periodically to recruit After graduating, Fieri returned to his native new graduates who learned it like he did. Those California with his eye on working for a specific visits help him reconnect with food and beverage store in a large restaurant chain. As with most Professor John Stefanelli. When Stefanelli’s wife told things, he got what he was after. Three years later, he him Fieri was in the running to be the Next Food felt ready for a new challenge. BIG BREAK continued on page 28 21 PREM IER • FA LL 2006

Professor’s Gambling-Addiction Research Featured on Strictly Dr. Drew by Tony Allen ’06

otel College professor Bo Bernhard knows a thing or two about success. Just four Hyears removed from receiving his Ph.D. in sociology from UNLV, Bernhard has quickly become one of the most well-known and respected problem- gambling researchers in the world. Since joining UNLV in 2002 as an assistant professor in the departments of Hotel Management and Sociology, Bernhard has been awarded numerous research honors, was named International Educator of the Year by the World Affairs Council, has delivered lectures on six continents, and was invited to Russia to speak with members of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s cabinet about adopting a national problem-gambling treatment program. But it was a recent visit from noted addictions specialist and nationally syndicated radio personality Dr. Drew Pinsky that prompted Bernhard to really take note of his success. “I regularly use Pinsky’s groundbreaking perspectives on addictions to strengthen my own points to students,” says Bernhard, who quotes Pinsky’s work in the field of addictions as an inspiration for aspects of his research. “So, needless to say, I was in shock when a group of my students told me they overheard Pinsky referencing my work on his radio show Loveline.” In 2002, Pinsky attended a meeting of the California Society of Addiction Medicine at which Bernhard delivered a keynote address, and the noted addictions expert became fascinated by the UNLV professor’s pioneering research on problem- gambling behavior. When Pinsky recently brought Professor Bo Bernhard is one of the most well-known and his insight on addiction to television as the host of respected problem-gambling researchers in the world. Discovery Health Channel’s Strictly Dr. Drew, he contacted Bernhard about appearing on his show to discuss gambling behavior and excess in society. Though Bernhard has had the opportunity to affect the lives of many people as a teacher and

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as an internationally recognized policy adviser, he credits Pinsky’s work as the ultimate example of using research to make a difference. “Sometimes in academe, we get accused of being stuck in our ivory tower and not reaching out to our communities,” says Bernhard. “Pinsky’s work takes the often- confusing world of medicine and treatment and brings it to the masses. In fact, because of his previous programs on MTV and his radio call-in show, I would argue that he has done more to educate younger generations about health issues than anyone in America today.” Always the educator, Bernhard used Pinsky’s particularly appearance as a teaching experience, with a troublesome dates such as paydays. majority of his students packing the casino lab Once days are selected, the participant cannot go in the Stan Fulton Building for the show’s 6 a.m. back and change the selections. In addition, limits taping. The theme of the Las Vegas-based episode can be set on losses, allowing individuals to establish was the culture of excess, a topic Bernhard has been firm gambling budgets that cannot be surpassed. studying since his days as an undergrad at Harvard. “This research attempts to determine whether this “Many are of a mind that Las Vegas is perhaps the device will allow those who need a little extra help to best place to study excess in society,” says Bernhard, control their behavior,” says Bernhard, who hooked a fifth-generation Las Vegan, “but we want to find up both his students and Pinsky to the machine out about how prevalent these behaviors really are during the taping of the show. “It can also be used as and use research to determine their actual impacts.” a self-exclusion device for individuals with gambling Bernhard continues by noting that “when you think problems, providing an extra control for problem about it, behavioral excess has contributed to many gamblers who have signed up for programs designed of the challenges we face as a society — from obesity to keep them out of casinos.” to alcohol abuse to problem gambling — and these Bernhard’s research has taken him around the problems do not appear to be going away any time world, but he says Pinsky’s visit stands out as one of soon. It’s my hope that UNLV can play a major role his most memorable moments as a UNLV professor. in helping society understand and address what has “It’s great for the university to have the most noted become one of the key social and health issues of the public figure in the addictions world recognize the 21st century.” work being done at UNLV and ask to be a part of A recent focus of Bernhard’s research, which fit in it,” says Bernhard. “It’s one of those moments that well with Pinsky’s visit, is the feasibility testing of the makes me really excited about what we’re doing at world’s first widely implemented responsible-gaming UNLV and the International Gaming Institute.” device. Bernhard and his colleagues at UNLV It’s just another day in the life of Bernhard, a life recently received a grant to test the voluntary device, he wouldn’t give up for the world. “I keep waiting for which is designed to serve as a sort of “seat belt” for someone to tap me on the shoulder and tell me that gambling and has been attached directly to machines I’m having too much fun and I’m not allowed to do throughout Nova Scotia, Canada. this anymore,” he says.

The device is activated by inserting a “responsible Strictly Dr. Drew airs on the Discovery Health Channel Tuesdays gambling” card into the machine. This enables at 10 p.m. (ET/PT). the user to access a record of his or her wins and losses over the past day, week, month, or year. The participant is also able to exclude him- or herself from gambling for any period of time — or on

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Convention Gives New Orleans A Boost by Robyn Campbell-Ouchida ’00 MA

ith her newly conferred degree, Deidre Ross ’06 W MHA headed off to New Orleans to oversee the American Library Association’s (ALA) annual conference in late June. Ross, who is the ALA’s director of conference services, recently graduated from the Harrah Hotel College’s executive online Master of Hospitality Administration program. As if that wasn’t enough to keep her busy, she was also in charge of planning the first large-scale conference to hit New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the Crescent City last summer. “The ALA plans its annual meeting years in advance,” says Ross. “To have this conference Deidre Ross (center) celebrates with the “The Book Divas” of Cypress in New Orleans has been on the Fairbanks Independent School District, Houston, Texas. calendar for at least 10 years. When Katrina first hit the city, Orleans, along with Ross and keynote speeches by First Lady we were nervous about what we the dedication of her staff, made Laura Bush, former Secretary were going to do. … Would they the ALA conference a reality. of State Madeleine Albright, and be ready to host approximately “We met with convention staff, news veterans Cokie Roberts 20,000 people in less than a year?” hotel personnel, and others last and Anderson Cooper, attendees Ross looked into some other October, and everything they said of the conference completed locales to see if another city might they could do to get the city ready a community service project be able to host the conference, for us did not seem unreasonable. renovating the Children’s but it was difficult since they I mean, we had our conference Resource Center at the New were unable to change their event in Toronto at the height of the Orleans Public Library. Nearly dates. The ALA board of directors SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory 1,000 volunteers participated approved the decision to stay in Syndrome) scare, and this was to give the center an “extreme New Orleans, and “we knew it was a completely different type of makeover” in just two days — even one way we could really help the circumstance.” all of the books were cataloged. city,” says Ross. “Our librarians Another site inspection was held “All in all, it was a wonderful really like to have a good time in April, and Ross was amazed conference,” says Ross. “I’ve — eating, shopping, and checking at all the work that had been received letters from many out the nightlife — and we knew completed. “Everything looked librarians who were sorry they that they would bring in more pretty much back to normal,” she didn’t come and even thank-you money than we ever could by says. “We last had the conference letters from many residents of simply making a donation to the there in 1999, and honestly, most New Orleans, thanking us for relief effort.” of the French Quarter looked bringing the business to their Well, with hard work and exactly the same to me!” town. The people of New Orleans determination, the city of New In addition to the 2,300 sessions were just so good to us, and we that were held over four days and should be thanking them!”

24 ALUMNUS continued from page 9 UNLV’s Jazz Studies Program. “It’s all about marketability,” he comments. “I have really used the knowledge I gained at UNLV. John Bowen, my marketing professor, taught me how to learn my product, find its niche and target market, and the best way to reach my audience. I learned that you really have to be specific.” Zaide’s knowledge, experience, and subsequent degree helped him form his business and, later, his own record label, Rebel Phi

“It’s all about marketability,” he comments. “I have really used the knowledge I gained at UNLV. John Bowen, my marketing professor, taught me how to learn my product, find its niche and target market, and the best way to reach my audience. I learned that you really have to be specific.”

Records (named for UNLV and his fraternity). “I was looking for a label to carry my product and ran into two different kinds of situations: (1) they either didn’t want it, or (2) they wanted to market me differently from what I was comfortable with.” The artist, who goes by L.Zaide, recently released his first album, Planet Chill: Memoirs of a Jazz Band. As someone who still refers to his marketing and cost control books, Zaide knows the importance and value of a great education. “I absorbed so much of what I learned at UNLV,” says Zaide. “I’m really grateful for everything I got with my education.” With his CD now available in such retail operations as Amazon. com and Tower Records, Zaide is planning a second album and hopes to add other independent artists to the label. “I helped create a Chicago jazz syndicate, and we’re working on the ‘Chicago sound,’ a distinct, fun, aggressive sound.” Photography by Geri Kodey You can learn more about L.Zaide on his website, lzaide.com. 25 PREM IER • FA LL 2006

The Lead Together Mastery Series A leadership team development certification program through the UNLV College of Hotel Administration Hospitality Outreach Services Interview questions for the program’s developer and presenter, Phil Lee Questions and Answers

Q - Why the emphasis on leadership team the brain trust and fire power surrounding them. development versus leadership training of They own together the vision for the organization individuals? having a vested interest in accomplishing the mission and living up to commonly shared values, A - Solo leaders disappoint! From gaming senior regardless of competition or hardships. Follow the executives, restaurant owners, and hotel GMs to reasoning: Learn together, grow together to lead department heads and supervisors, those following together. them question their capabilities and/or integrity. Mistrust is the issue. There is an epidemic level of mistrust for individual leader’s hidden agenda or Q - Why is Lead Together Mastery Series important supposed interest in the well-being of the team. to hospitality and gaming executives? Requirement of Lead Together Clinic and other Leader’s Edge leadership team development A - Hundred to one, hoteliers have been over-managed programs is that you cannot attend by yourself versus over-led. Let me make the point by sharing — therefore, you can’t go back and “spin” the a recurring experience in conducting leadership lesson to ingratiate self or maintain the status quo. team development programs around the world The 20-hour Lead Together Mastery Series, made for a wide variety of lodging organizations. up of a third presentation, a third interaction with Early in my session, I ask audiences two two- presenter, and a third “self and group discovery” part questions, regardless if they are a group of exercises, seems to be a desirable format, top executives, department heads, supervisors, according to positive participation evaluations. or line staff. The first question is, “How many It is also becoming accepted that most business have been over-managed or have over-managed challenges are too complex for one person to others in your careers?” Everyone raises hands completely comprehend or act on. and grumbles. The second question I ask is, “How many of you have been over-led or over-led others?” No hands go up and everyone is looking Q - What is the remedy? around the room for such a fortunate person.

A - Inclusiveness, group consensus, and synergism are antidotes. Encourage internal partnerships and Q - Where do the long-standing business adages of alliances. Group consensus comes from having “too many chiefs and not enough Indians” or a greater commitment to teamwork. Up-play “too many chefs in the kitchen ruin the soup” fit? team performance gains—down play individual accomplishments. A - These are outdated expressions. I recognize that I believe in the premise if you educate leaders there is a constant balancing between individual together, they in turn generate higher expectations decisiveness and group consensus. The concepts because of the confidence they collectively have in of shared best practices, mentoring, and greater

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personal accountability that dominate the Participants will initiate their own written progressive organization cultures require getting Personal Leadership Declaration with a Leaders out of one’s own way (ego) in order to enable Scorecard to guide them to more effectively lead, and empower others to make wiser choices and resulting in greater team member satisfaction smarter decisions. survey scores, balanced scorecards, and other As a young business owner years ago, I asked success metrics improvements. They will also Peter Drucker, 21st-century business management receive team decision-making and goal-setting sage, a question on this point. “How can I get tools that will help them transform managers into managers to make better decisions?” Dr. Drucker leaders. replied, “Have them make lots of decisions!” Easier Our “lead together” organic techniques and said than done because of the prevalent fear of tools penetrate to the core of a business. Series making mistakes and/or subsequent punishments. participants go back to their organizations with The common fear of being or going it alone can the means to rectify systemic problems that limit be overcome through team learning and group— extraordinary result gains. consensus exercises. Being credited with making significant decisions cultivates a leadership, oriented organization that’s forward-thinking. The Q - Is the “Lead Together Mastery Series” a typical transformed grow into becoming the transformers talking-head trainer at the front of the room of others. lecturing and attendees taking loads of notes?

A - On the contrary—the each session is a high- Q - What can our team take away from the Lead energy, fast-paced combination of presentation, Together Mastery Series that you conduct group exercises, interaction among the through UNLV College of Hotel Administration participants and me, and some journaling. My that will make them better decision makers and experience is you can learn faster and retain more more effective leaders? when you are having fun experiencing together leadership and team-building competencies. Learn A - Organization performance improvement insights, together, grow together to lead together is the planning models, transformation methods, and mode. performance measurements enable hoteliers to, The Lead Together Mastery Certificate is at will, uplift morale, raise teamwork, improve awarded to participants because they have productivity, upgrade standards, sharpen actively learned how to apply lead-together competitiveness, and boost profits. Many execs insights, techniques, and tools to improve their in gaming, lodging, and tourism leadership organization. positions are seeking practical personal, team, and organization performance improvement tools that allows them to score well on team member Q – Is there a way a management team could preview surveys, balanced scorecards, and other corporate the Lead Together Mastery Series? and/or self-selected success metrics. Lead Together Mastery Series sessions provide actionable A – Sure, we can conduct a 90-minute complimentary performance models, methods, and measurements Leading Change session whereby the Lead to change things and transform people into highly Together Mastery Series can be previewed. accountable and consistent performers. Phil Lee is the CEO of the Leader’s Edge and conducts the Lead Together Mastery Series though UNLV College of Hotel Administration Outreach Services. Mr. Lee is located in Las Vegas Q - What kind of models, methods, and and specializes in developing leadership teams for gaming, hotels, and hospitality organizations. His web-site is www.leadtogether. measurements? com and can be reached by phone at (702) 243-7267 or by e-mail at [email protected]. For information on scheduled seminars, A - I introduce the Organization Performance Cycle please contact Mr. Lee. and Paradigm Generator models that help explain the rationale behind transforming managers into leaders.

27 faculty members of the college and DEAN’S MESSAGE very good friends of mine dating continued from page 2 back to my Penn State days, made the long trip as well. We are also pleased Career Power provost were apprised and requested to have shared this time with to give their approvals. We received Ms. Hilarie Grey, former UNLV at Your wonderful support from the system director of Public Affairs; Ms. Judy and the university administration all Nagai, our Harrah Hotel College Fingertips along the way. director of Alumni Relations; and a The EDB challenged me that we couple of very proud alums — Mr. could not possibly get this done in Fayyaz Raja and his wife, Kathy, and two years. I thought it was worth Mr. Tom Peacock. a try. It could not have happened Two other special people were also without the fantastic effort put forth there with me. First and foremost, my by Andy Nazarechuk. He worked wife, Doreen, was there in support diligently, jumping many hurdles and shared in my happiness. of various heights to get the job Mr. Jonathan Galaviz attended all completed on time. of the festivities, and rightly so. If it From the EDB’s point of view, we were not for his foresight of having set records. From the first thought UNLV in Singapore, none of this being put into my mind May 5, 2004, might have occurred. to the grand opening Aug. 2, 2006, The smiles on their faces and the we have put into place UNLV’s first delight of those in attendance could international campus — and quite not have pleased me more. But they a campus it is. Please enjoy the were expressing just a small part of pictures and stories on the following what I was feeling. The emotion of pages, and if you find your way to completing this first international Singapore, stop in and be greeted by campus for UNLV was one of Andy Nazarechuk, the dean of our overwhelming joy and satisfaction as campus there. I watched the events unfold. I hope At the grand opening, we were you share my feelings. joined in celebration by Nevadan’s Regent Stavros Anthony; President David Ashley; Dean Richard Flaherty of the College of Business and his wife, Ricki; and Mr. Francisco Aguilera, representing Chancellor Jim Rogers. Drs. Pearl Brewer, Gail Sammons, and Andy Feinstein, Master of Hospitality Administration Executive Online Program

BIG BREAK Fieri says he’s discovered that being a TV star isn’t all that continued from page 21 different from a being a star to Education on Network Star, she had no doubt he your customers. “In the hospitality YOUR Terms would win. business, if you have an interest “She was right,” Stefanelli in making people happy and Get started today! says. “He’s a good package — the have personality, you can be a 702.895.5430 appearance, the customer skills, superstar,” he says. “It’s kind [email protected] Website: Hotel.UNLV.edu and the technical skills all make of the American Express card him a good choice. I don’t think of education — if you can do WILLIAM F. HARRAH COLLEGE any of the other candidates were hospitality, you can do anything.” OF HOTEL ADMINISTRATION in the same league, and it became To read more about Fieri, view the obvious, at least to me, very early Fall 2006 UNLV Magazine at magazine. on.” unlv.edu. 28 & Brewing Company, The Greens over the award. Having the STATION Café, and Green Valley Ranch opportunity to give these continued from page 4 Station Casino in Henderson, scholarships will help connect Nev., and a 6.7 percent interest the dots even more. We want to Murzl. “In turn, this helps Station in the Palms Casino Resort in help the university attract even diversify management ranks and Las Vegas. In addition, Station more hospitality students and, invest in students today who will manages the Thunder Valley hopefully, more donors.” become the hospitality leaders of Casino near Sacramento, Calif., on Although there is nothing tomorrow. behalf of the United Auburn Indian specifically noted in the “I think that Station will have Community. scholarship documents that a unique relationship with ensures an internship with the scholarship recipients,” Station for the recipients, says Murzl. “We anticipate Murzl has plans to hopefully inviting them to quarterly team offer them. “I see this meetings and cultivating casual scholarship as an ongoing relationships with them. relationship. … If we are not “This doesn’t sound typical of able to provide internships a gaming company, but we’re when the students need them, big on hugs at all levels. We use they will definitely benefit the word ‘love’ and the heart from having mentors within symbol in a lot of our employee the company. I hope that communication vehicles, after the students graduate, and because we’re a ‘locals’’ they will be qualified to enter company, our team members our management training really become friends with their program, depending upon local guests. We’d like to pass their field of interest.” that philosophy on to the next The recipients of the generation.” scholarship will be profiled The executives at Station in internal employee Casinos have high hopes for communication newsletters this new scholarship program. and invited to a number of “We know that diversity plays a events. “I’d like to keep in big part in business today,” says touch with all of the students Murzl. “We’re fortunate here and see how the program is because we do have cultural working,” says Murzl. “We diversity in all levels of our Valerie Murzl, vice president of human will hold receptions for the business. It isn’t something resources for Station Casinos honorees and introduce them we’ve made a huge effort to do to their various mentors.” — it just naturally happens in our The corporation was recently Murzl shared with Premier that company and mirrors the Southern named by Fortune magazine as one Station Casinos is in a “growth Nevada community.” of the 2006 “100 Best Companies pipeline” right now and has a Station Casinos Inc. is the to Work for.” This designation number of new projects that are leading provider of “locals” is based on two criteria: an going to come on line in the next gaming and entertainment evaluation of the policies and few years. That means there are to the residents of Las Vegas, culture of each company, and going to be lots of positions to be Nev. Station’s properties the opinions of the company’s filled. “Through this scholarship are regional entertainment employees. The latter is given more program, we hope to provide destinations and include various weight; two-thirds of the total score opportunities for students who amenities, including restaurants, comes from employee responses to have strived to be the best to entertainment venues, movie a 57-question survey that goes to a actually realize their dreams. If theaters, bowling, and convention/ minimum of 400 randomly selected there is a financial obstacle, this banquet space, as well as employees from each company. will allow them the freedom to traditional casino gaming offerings “Being awarded this pursue their education. such as video poker, slot machines, designation really helps advance “A lot of companies miss table games, bingo, and race and and enhance the perception of out on potentially wonderful sports wagering. Station owns and Station Casinos,” states Murzl. employees because those people operates 10 hotels and casinos in “Employees from all levels of our were not afforded educational Southern Nevada as well as a 50 company have come up to me opportunities. We want to change percent interest in Barley’s Casino and expressed their excitement that.” 29 PREM IER • FA LL 2006

WILLIAM F. HARRAH COLLEGE The Dean’s Associates Giving Program membership OF HOTEL ADMINISTRATION begins at the $1,000 level. Your support has tremendous influence on the entire HONOR ROLL 2005-2006 UNLV Harrah Hotel College ontributors to the Annual Fund are the mainstay of community. The growth of C the Harrah Hotel College’s development program. This the college’s ever-increasing unrestricted support is essential to the flexibility needed to international reputation address shifting priorities. Total giving to the Harrah Hotel College reached $1,492,678 during the 2005-2006 fiscal year requires us to adapt the (July 1-June 30). Thanks to the generosity of 339 alumni and traditional values of a friends, the increase in gifts continues to grow steadily, and hospitality education to the we are extremely appreciative to those of you who have made needs of the 21st century, which gifts to the Annual Fund and Dean’s Associates, student are essential to the economic scholarships, faculty enrichment, programs, endowments, and planned giving. and social development of The size of the gift is not as important as your willingness to help make Nevada and around the world. a difference—every dollar counts, and every dollar helps. Please know how much your contributions are valued. It is with gratitude and pleasure that we Annual giving to the Dean’s acknowledge the Harrah Hotel College’s benefactors in this issue of the Premier Associates program has alumni magazine. funded student professional Thank you, development, which allows students to represent UNLV Karin J. Olsen Director of External Relations at national and international William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration academic meetings, conferences, and industry HONOR ROLL OF GIVING events. Due to the great need for diverse industry leaders, we $100,000+ William Paulos ’69 Outback Steakhouses The Boyd Foundation Kitty Rodman Outback/Fleming’s LLC have implemented a number of MGM MIRAGE Michelle ’04 and Anthony ’84 Santo Palms Casino Resort Jung-Ho Suh ’82 Professional Golfers Assn. of America recruitment programs to recruit Angelica and Stanley Fulton The Vallen Family Raja Enterprises and retain minority students, Claudine Williams Silverton Casino Lodge $50,000 - $99,999 Terrible’s Hotel Casino who will soon graduate with Arcata Associates, Inc. $5,000 - $9,999 Tony Roma’s Restaurant Boyd Gaming Corporation Bee Thr LLC a superior hospitality degree. Fiesta Hotel Corporation JRP Ventures Patricia and William Anton Houssels Family Foundation Corp. Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Kathleen and James Brewer Our students are the future of Authority Cynthia Carruthers and James Busser the industry, and they are truly $10,000 - $49,999 The Mirage Teresa and John Cookson Banfi Vintners Foundation Moore Ideas, Inc. Cheri Young and David Corsun an important investment. Your DeLuca Liquor and Wine, Ltd. Society for Foodservice Management Paula Eylar ’89, ’97 Desage Chocolatier UNLV Wine Club Albert Faccinto generous contributions support Food & Beverage Directors’ Association Kerry and Andy ’91, ’95 Feinstein of Las Vegas Linda and George Baggott Deirdre Flynn these critical academic efforts. Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts Marcia ’74 and Tola Chin Phyllis and Marvin Franklin GES Exposition Services John Redmond John Sweeney and Global Resorts, Inc. Harrah’s Foundation Wendy and William ’84 Hornbuckle As our campus grows, so does MGM MIRAGE Voice Foundation $1,000 - $4,999 Jonathon Jaggers our reliance on private funding MICROS Systems, Inc. Aramark Corporation Frank Kozel Rampart Casino The Boutrous Companies Gavin Maloof from alumni, friends, and other The Seattle Foundation Daydots Joe Maloof Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, Inc. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Phillip Maloof community leaders. Please TWI Group, Inc. Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Paul Nassif and Adrienne Maloof-Nassif Wynn Resorts Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Doreen and Stuart Mann support our students and International Food Service Peggy and Dean McClain college programs—whether Robin ’93 and Daniel Greenspun Keystone Energy Oil & Gas, Inc. Audrey and Barent ’99 McCool Terry and Deborah Lanni Las Vegas Gladiators Phyllis McGuire you are able to increase your George Maloof ’88 Leader’s Edge Inc. Terri and Christian ’84 Meyer Dolores* and George Owens Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. William Miller gift significantly or modestly, The Foundation of National Automatic Vanda Monti Merchandising Assoc. Rosalie and Patrick ’69, ’83 Moreo your support is vital to the Irene ’91 and Robert Oseland ’91 Harrah Hotel College. 30 PREM IER • FA LL 2006 HONOR ROLL OF GIVING

$1,000 - $4,999 Sheraton Universal Hotel Chris Haen The Patricia Miller Anton & William Sidebar Spirits, LLC Jean Hall ’88 C. Anton Foundation Silverstone Golf Club Maria ’00 and Mark Haneffant- John Peiser ’78 South Coast Hotel & Casino Engdahl Sarah and James’78 Rafferty Synergy Solutions Susan and Christopher ’89 Hardee Fayyaz ’92, ’95 and Kathy Raja Todai Restaurant Nicolette and Robert ’03 Harridge Gail Sammons ’87 Trims Unlimited Rosalie and Greg ’80 Hawkins Sonja and Bernard Schiappa Universal Studios, Inc. Patricia and Paul ’96 Haymond John Shigley UNLV Alumni Association Valerie Heieck Patti Shock Alexis and Michael ’95 Heller Kim and Scott ’88 Sibella Christopher Ades ’75 Nancy and Mark ’86 Hemstreet John Sweeney and Global Velma and Roger ’98 Armstead Jean Hertzman ’06 Resorts, Inc. Lisa Assante ’98 Bill Hiers ’95 Carolyn and Roger ’69 Wagner Gary Aten ’98 Christine ’82 and Rick Higgins Lisa Hitz ’85 Gregory Hoffman ’03 Michael Hogan ’03 Barbara Ann and David Holmes Paul Hoyt Founding Dean Jerry Vallen and Flossie Vallen Mike Hubsky Cora and Alfred Izzolo reunite with alumna Jayne Garrett ’79 (middle) Sara Jerrard ’99 at the Vallen Dinner of Distinction event. Marina Jezzini ’84 William Johnson ’89 James Mikula ’78 Gregory Schall ’86 Jeffrey Jones ’89 Barbara ’92 and Thomas Miner Margaret and Jack Schlaifer Maho Kagata ’84 Jaime and Edward Montanez Susan and Charles Schwartz Valentini Kalargyrou ’05 Deanna Montorro ’98 Julie and Salvatore ’81 Semola Yen-Soon Kim and Michael Choi Linda ’98 and Richard Montoya Renee and Earl ’81 Sheehy Victoria and Clark ’99, ’03 Judy Nagai Alyssa Shipley ’95 Kincaid Mary Ann and Bill Nance Sandra and Gregory ’88 Shulman Professor Cheri Young meets with students Myrna and Alfred ’77 Kingham Edward Neidich ’72 Cynthia Siebert ’98 to discuss their research projects. Nancy and Dean ’92 Kissel Maria and Darryl Nelson Penelope ’99 and Jonathan Smith Esko Kiuru ’77 Kathleen ’94, ’96, ’04 and Daniel ’06 Robin and Ronald ’82 Smith $1 - $999 Julie ’92 and Claude Badaloni Corinne and Richard ’86 Klein Nelson Timothy Smith Allegiant Air Liane ’97 and Chad Barrett Col. Erwin T. Koch Trust Christine Newcombe ’04 Roxana Staly ’84 America Dog and Cat Hotel Mark Barrett Alyssa Krahmer ’92 Dana ’99 and Sean Newman Celeste and Robert ’82 Starankovic Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. Jean ’79 and Michiko Beam Norman Krajkowski John Newton ’90 Jana and Emmett ’03 Steed Ben & Jerry’s Katherine and Joseph ’93 Beja Catherine Lassesen ’86 Robert Nickels ’90 Deanna and John Stefanelli Benbow Inn Kathleen and Donald Bell Corey Laulom ’98 Patricia and Ellis Norman Lindsay Stein ’03 Benson & Bingham Christine Bergman Paul Lefever ’98 Frank Novak Erma and Joseph ’72 Tardiff Brinkers International Rochelle Berkley and Larry Sally and Richard Lepke Charles Oliver ’85 Marcus Threats ’87, ’99 Circus Circus Las Vegas Lehrner Holly Mae Lindsay ’99 Karin Olsen Karl Titz ’89 Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc. Morgan Bostwick ’05 Yvone and Ralph ’78 Lorenz Kathleen Schweer and Alex John Tullis ’03 Clear Channel Taxi Media Melinda ’87 and Wayne Bourgeois Patrick Lum ’03 Ostrove ’98 Gary Turner ’72 Delmonico Steakhouse John Bowen Miriam Luna ’05 Christopher Pahlmann ’93 Diane Watanabe ’93 and Jonathan ’91 Destination Spa Salon Karen and John ’83 Bowman Ukeiley Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House Jo Ellen and Robert ’75 Braner Cesar Villagomez ’04 Fresh & Ready Foods of Nevada David Brown ’71 David Vondrasek ’97 English Garden Florist Pamela ’87 and David Burke Lupe ’88 and T.E. Wallace Espresso World Kay and Rick ’95 Burnam Cynthia Ward ’86 Expedia & Hotels.Com Regina and Kelly ’82 Byrnes Maryann* and Gary ’79 Waters Full Service Real Estate Robyn ’04 and Mark ’96 Carlson Kelly and Roger ’85 Watson Gianna Christine Salon, Spa and Beatrice and Leonard ’71 Carpenter Pamela and Malcolm ’89 White Wellness Center Madelyn ’02 and Eric Chamberlain Jan Wisecup ’88 Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino Jee Yoon Chung ’05 Elizabeth and Clayton ’88 Wright Gov. Kenny Guinn, Office of Gene Collins Yurong Xu ’02 Guardian Quest Consulting John Coughlin ’02 Timothy Zerniak ’85 The Gun Store Eleanor and Ervine Crawford Half Shell Arthur Cusack ’91 BOLD - Faculty and Staff The Hammer Company Karen and James ’87 Dishaw * Deceased Harveys Casino Resorts Julie and Jeffrey ’82 Dohse Las Vegas Hilton Diana Donaldson A FINAL NOTE Hilton Grand Vacations Club Dana and William ’75 Dugdale A student learns more about a career with GES We strive to ensure accuracy in Imperial Palace, Inc. John Everson ’03 this listing of benefactors who Imperial Wine Wholesaler Michelle Flater ’92 Exposition Services during the annual Hospitality supported the Harrah Hotel Lake Mead Cruises Elaine Flint ’03 College between July 1, 2005, Mac King Comedy Magic Show Nancy Starkey and David Flynn and Business Marketplace career fair. Magic Beauty Lounge Michelle and Brian ’85 Fogg and June 30, 2006. If there is Memphis Championship BBQ Claudia and Bruce ’85 Frankel an error in the way we listed Navegante Group-Retail Division Jayne ’79 and Robert Garrett Merla and Robert Lysgaard Daniel Piccolello ’84 your gift or if you wish to make a Paiute Golf Resort Kathryn and Brian ’94 Gerke Michael Maguire ’86 Jeffrey Polaski ’89 change in your name as shown, Pearson Royalty Services Christine ’89 and Micheline ’88 Ghazal John Maksimik ’80 Patsie Potvin ’79 please accept our apology and Pink Jeep Tours Susan ’89 and Christopher Giardina Timothy Matousek ’99 Elba and Jan Quackenbush bring it to our attention at Platinum Hotel and Spa Ayesha ’94 and Darryl ’92 Glover Chris Mazza ’95 Jeffrey Quint ’82 (702) 895-3148 or e-mail R & R Auto Sales Adam Gordon ’04 Jillian McNiff ’04 Debra and Gregory Romboletti [email protected]. Renaissance Seattle Hotel John Gremo ’02 Brent McRae ’87 Brian Rouff Ricardo’s Mexican Restaurants Luisa and Jon Griffin April Mendoza ’01 Loron Rustom ’03 The Second City Ronald Griffith ’85 Lyell Metcalf ’81 Melissa and Joseph ’99 Salmore Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa Connie ’03 and Tory Gubler Clayton Miale ’98 Sean Saunders ’96 31 PREM IER • FA LL 2006 Alumni Updates Alumni Updates AlumniVida Chow ’86 now resides in UpdatesAlumni Updates 1970s Hong Kong. Her career path 1970s has covered catering sales, Albert Ginchereau ’71 convention services, front office, recently accepted the event management, and human position of chairman of the resources at the Grand Hyatt business operations—casino Hong Kong over the past 17 concentration program at Gibbs years. As the director of human College of Cranston, Rhode resources of the Grand Hyatt, Island. This is the only college she finds retaining, developing, in the state of Rhode Island and engaging the team very offering an associate degree challenging and fulfilling. in business operations with a Bikram yoga and some laughs casino concentration. He and his certainly help relieve her stress wife, Jean, live in Newport, R.I. and keep her happy. Vida hopes to connect with her mates from Jim Germain ’75 and his wife, her dormitory days, e.g., Carla Mari, bought the Castle Valley Chang from Hawaii, Yuji Mori Inn Bed and Breakfast near from Japan, etc. Please reach Moab, Utah, in November her at [email protected]. 2005. In addition to running the inn, Jim has joined the Scott Deveau ’87 has lived in local volunteer fire department. Alaska for the past four years CONGRATULATIONS are well deserved for the Check out the inn’s website, and is enjoying life there. He college’s kitchen manager, Dale “Chef Shag” www.castlevalleyinn.com. has worked for GSA for 15 Shigenaga ’90. He received the prestigious 2006 years, working in real estate Chef of the Year award from the American Culinary portfolio government- owned 1980s properties and commercial real Federation, Las Vegas chapter, at the annual Chef of the 1980s estate. Deveau is in the process Year dinner. Thomas Foskaris ’83 is branch of adopting two boys, ages 4 This award recognizes all of Chef Shag’s work for and 8. manager for AIG Financial the chapter, especially his coordination of culinary Advisors in Henderson, Nev. His practice is focused on Marcus Threats ’87, ’99 MBA competitions, not only at the Las Vegas Hotel and providing retirement and recently moved to San Diego Restaurant Show, but also nationally and internationally. to earn his law degree. He is estate-planning solutions to Along with the honor, comes responsibility. Chef Shag high-net worth individuals and studying at Thomas Jefferson families throughout the United School of Law. Threats is the will plan the next year’s worth of monthly meetings and States. Foskaris remains active outgoing hotel college alumni events for the chapter. at UNLV, currently serving as board chairperson, having a dean’s associate to the UNLV served as a founding member Dr. Ki-Joon Back ’92, ’94 MS has been a resident of the San Division of Health Sciences of the board. He can be recently joined the University Diego area for a little over five and as a member of the UNLV reached at [email protected]. of Houston as associate years. She invites friends to Foundation Planned Giving professor and graduate contact her at Council. He is also a lifetime program director in the Conrad [email protected]. member of the UNLV Alumni 1990s N. Hilton College of Hotel and Also, take a look at the inn’s Association. 1990s Restaurant Management. He web site, www.gloriettabayinn. Christine (Paskvan) Kiely invites friends to contact him com. It is a beautiful boutique Geoffrey Combs ’84 lives ’90 recently became a full- at [email protected]. hotel and perfectly located on on the eastern plains of time broker/salesperson Coronado Island. Colorado with his wife, Gina, with The Brazill Team and Holly (Ansley) Shumate ’94 and stepson, Nick. Combs is Elite Realty after spending 5 lives in La Mesa, Calif., and Kristine (Le Blanc) Duncan the accounting and human years in advertising/sales for is the general manager of the ’95 and her husband, Dan, resource manager for the Clear Channel Taxi Media Glorietta Bay Inn in Coronado, welcomed their daughter, Colorado Horse Park, located and 24/7 Magazine. She Calif. Prior to this position, Lindsey Mae, into the world in Parker, Colo., one of the will be working with fellow she worked for five years Feb. 18, 2006. They are all largest equestrian facilities in alumna Stacy Bloom ‘90. Kiely with Grand Pacific Resorts doing well and living in the United States. can be reached by email at as the general manager of Denver, Colo. [email protected]. Carlsbad Seapointe Resort and Coronado Beach Resort. She 32 PREM IER • FA LL 2006 Alumni Updates AlumniRachel (Ego) Conneely ’96 currently has properties in Updates recently accepted the position Nevada, Louisiana, Indiana, BRIAN JOHNSON ’83 of general manager for Fox and the Bahamas. AzHLA Hotelier of the Year Acres Country Club, located in the northern Colorado Roger Armstead ’98, ’06 Loews Ventana Canyon Resort Rockies. Previously, she served recently graduated with his Managing Director as clubhouse manager at the bachelor’s degree in leisure Powder Horn Golf Club, in services to complement his With more than 29 years in the Sheridan, Wyo., where she previous degree in hotel hospitality industry, Johnson helped open a new 30,000- administration. After 11 joined the Loews team in 2001. square-foot clubhouse facility. years working with Marriott After graduating from UNLV, Hotels, he transitioned to Johnson’s commitment to both Rachel worked at The Country his current position in youth the industry and community Club in Brookline, Mass., for development. Armstead works are evidenced by his roles as eight years, holding a number with youth enrichment for the of management positions. In city of Henderson Parks and current chairman for the Pima Community Advisory January 2005, Rachel and her Recreation Department. Council and president of the Southern Arizona Lodging husband, Sean Conneely, were and Restaurant Association, as well as executive married in a beach ceremony Ryan P. Gullion ’98 lives in on an island in the Caribbean. Houston, Texas, with his wife, board member for both the Arizona Hotel and Lodging The couple now lives in Red Andrea, and their daughter, Association and the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Feather Lakes, Colo. Friends Caroline. He is the general Visitors Bureau. He has taken Loews Ventana Canyon can contact her at rachel. manager of the Lancaster Resort to new levels, receiving this year the AAA Five [email protected]. Hotel and was previously the director of operations for the Diamond Award for dining at the Ventana Room, as well Kim Tun ’96 was recently Hotel Valencia Santana Row, as achieving the highest guest satisfaction scores of all hired as the advertising in San Jose, Calif. Ryan invites resorts in the Loews brand. manger for Pinnacle anyone from UNLV, past or Entertainment, Inc. She lives present, to contact him at in Las Vegas and advises [email protected]. spending five years as Club in East Hampton, N.Y. and manages six properties’ controller and human Salisbury enjoys reading, wine advertising departments. Tony Llanos ’97 recently resources director of the studies, cooking, and spending Pinnacle Entertainment changed positions after Orchard Hotel in San time with the family. He can be Francisco, Calif. Llanos is now contacted at nate.salisbury@ the director of administrative hotmail.com. MICHAEL CHESLEY’S ’88 services for Alcatraz Cruises successful restaurant and hotel LLC. The company, which is “Jenny” Qin Yu ’04 is affiliated with Hornblower originally from Hangzhou, career led him to be named the Cruises and Events, launched China, and now lives in Las 2005 Restaurateur of the Year its service from Pier 33 on Vegas, Nev. She is in the by the New Mexico Restaurant San Francisco’s waterfront to leadership development Alcatraz Island in September program of the Venetian Association. He owns and 2006. Alcatraz Cruises was Resort-Hotel-Casino. Prior operates the restaurant Graze awarded the exclusive contract to this position, she worked and the lounge, Gulp!, in by the National Park Service to for Radisson Plaza Hotel in Albuquerque, N.M., where he transport tourists’ round-trips Hangzhou, China, as well as to Alcatraz. for Treasure Island Las Vegas. has been a resident for 14 years. Yu invites friends to contact Also involved with the community, Chesley has her at [email protected]. served as president of the New Mexico chapter of 2000s the International Foodservice Association, chairman 2000s Please submit your own alumni update of the board of the Albuquerque Convention Visitors Nate Salisbury ’04 lives in to: [email protected] McLean, Va., and works at Bureau, and works with the New Mexico Cystic Fibrosis Tower Tysons, a ClubCorp Foundation. When not at the restaurant, you can find property, as a food and Chesley cheering on the Runnin’ Rebels when they beverage manager. Prior to living in Virginia, he was the play the University of New Mexico Lobos each year. beverage director at Maidstone

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PREM IER • FA LL 2006 Congratulations Congratulations CongratulationsCongratulations go to director of career services Congratulations Professors Andy Feinstein, for the hotel college. This Carola Raab, and John position is in collaboration Stefanelli. At the CHRIE with the UNLV Division of conference, they won the Career Services. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education Palms Hotel Casino Resort Article of the Year Award John owner George Maloof Al Izzolo for their two-part study Stefanelli ’88 was profiled in the Las — Instructional Systems Vegas Sun July 16 and in In Business Las Research in the Hospitality Industry and Vegas July 21. Educational Technology Research in the Hospitality Research, published in 2005. Patti Shock, chairperson of the tourism and Established in 2002, the college’s alumni convention administration board of directors is made up of a dedicated department, has been group of enthusiastic volunteers. The named one of the 100 board members assist with alumni events, most influential people in outreach, and planning of the annual Vallen the trade show industry Dinner of Distinction. The current members by Tradeshow Week Patti Shock include Bobbie Barnes ’93, ’05 M.Ed.; Magazine. Shock has been Paula Eylar ’89, ’97 MBA; Dennis Gradillas an administrator and faculty member at ’91; Chairperson Christine Kiely ’90; Holly UNLV since 1988. Mae (Sparks) Lindsay ’99; Kathy Nelson From left to right: Rich Products ’94, ’96 MS, ’04 Ph.D.; Fayyaz “Raja” Raja Corp. Food Service Division ’92, ’95; Sal Semola ’81; Jennifer (Eskin) Welcome, New Faculty! President Dennis Janesz, Elizabeth Smith ’04 MS; and past Chairperson Carl Braunlich joined Blau, and IFMA President and CEO Marcus Threats ’87, ’99 MBA. the college as a tenured Michael J. Licata associate professor In July, Andy Feinstein after a 15-year career At the International Foodservice assumed the position with Purdue University. Manufacturers Association’s (IFMA’s) as associate dean for He holds a Doctor of 52nd annual Gold & Silver Plate Strategic Initiatives within Business Administration Celebration, Elizabeth Blau, restaurant the college. He previously in International Carl Braunlich consultant and former executive vice held the role of department Business from United president of restaurant development chairperson of Food and States International University, San and marketing, Wynn Las Vegas, was Beverage Management. Andy Diego, Calif. Braunlich teaches and named 2006 Foodservice Operator of Feinstein conducts research in the areas of human the Year. Blau is also a member of the Congratulations go to resources management and educational Dean’s National Advisory Board. The Louis Fiorentino Jr., a UNLV Culinary technologies. announcement was made May 22 at the Arts Management student, who won Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers by the Mountain West regional “Almost Mehmet Erdem ’03 Ph.D. IFMA Awards Committee Chairperson Famous Chef” competition sponsored is a new faculty member Scott Siers, vice president, industry by S. Pellegrino. The contest was held at teaching Introduction relations and business development, the Culinary Institute of the Art Institute to Hospitality and Hotel PepsiCo Foodservice, before a crowd of of Las Vegas. He competed against two Operations. Erdem joined more than 700 food service leaders and students from the Culinary Institute and UNLV after leaving the their guests. Presenting the award were two from Johnson and Wales University, University of New Orleans. IFMA Chairman Dennis Janesz, president, Denver campus. His winning signature His research focuses Mehmet food service division, Rich Products dish was veal tenderloin purses with on human performance Erdem Corporation, and IFMA President and pistachio orzo, ragu of summer squash, technologies, operations CEO Michael J. Licata. dark cherry reduction, and sage beurre management research, and instructional blanc. Fiorentino will compete against systems. nine other regional winners in the national competition to be held in Napa, Calif., in Alumnus Pat Moreo ’69, ’83 Ed.D., October. The grand prize is $10,000 and a formerly with the School of Hotel and job offer from the Copia Wine Center. Restaurant Administration at Oklahoma In July, Al Izzolo assumed the role as State University, was recently selected

34 PREM IER • FA LL 2006 Congratulations Congratulationsas chairperson of the For more than Department of Food and a decade, Jean Beverage Management. Hertzman ’06 Ph.D. He has been appointed has been a faculty with tenure at the rank of member in the full professor. He focuses Food and Beverage on the areas of hospitality Department. She graduate higher education, Pat Moreo was given special hospitality administration, recognition at hotel front-office operations, and graduate UNLV’s spring hospitality management. commencement as an outstanding Carola Raab ’93, ’96 graduate; she MBA, ’03 Ph.D. joins the received her doctor Tourism and Convention of philosophy degree Department as an assistant in Educational professor. After graduating Leadership with a in 2003, Raab taught as concentration in an assistant professor at Higher Education Chinese University of Carola Raab Administration. Hong Kong, which is a After 12 years as a lecturer at UNLV, Hertzman was also promoted to a tenure- top-tier school in Asia, and also taught at track assistant professor position. She is responsible for the management of catering the University of New Hampshire. Raab’s operations and teaches courses that focus on food preparation. In addition, she serves major research focus is the application of as the funding dinner coordinator and host of the annual “Friends of Nevada Dinner,” activity costing to the hospitality industry, where she has helped raise a significant amount of money for the Poverello House innovative pricing methods, and internal homeless shelter in Las Vegas. She recently completed a substantial work grant from marketing. the U.S. Department of Agriculture focusing on proper food handling in the catering industry, and she is a past recipient of “Chef of the Year,” a prestigious award from the Ashok Singh joined the Hotel Management American Culinary Federation. Department in January 2006 after working as a full professor in UNLV’s Mathematical Sciences Department since 1993. He previously taught mathematics at New Mexico Tech and holds a Ph.D. in statistics from Purdue University, W. Lafayette, Ind. His research interests lie in predictive models for gaming, slot performance investigations, multivariate statistical methods, regression modeling for engineers, geostatistics, reliability theory, and Bayesian methods.

Welcome, New Staff! Welcome to new staff in the college. New to the Food & Beverage Management Department: Hekili Apao ’04 and Sean Radley. New to the Office for Student Advising: Matt Cutia ’06 MS, Kim Ensigne, Kia Frericks, and David Singleton.

Congratulations to the Tokyo UNLV Alumni Club, which hosted its first alumni event in August. Event coordinators were Yuichi Tanaka ’94, Shigeru Suzuki ’79, and Masaaki Hiroyama ’76, pictured with Judy Nagai, director of alumni affairs.

Kim Ensigne Kia Frericks

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PREM IER • FA LL 2006

THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The internship program is designed to provide A few students complete their final intern students with an opportunity to relate current theory requirements after they have completed all their from the college classroom to practical experience other course work. They find a permanent position under the direction of professionals in extended work within the hospitality industry that meets all program assignments. criteria. Following completion of the required employment hours and all reports, the intern An ‘intern’ is an advanced or upper division student coordinator and the employer jointly arrive at a gaining supervised practical experience in a field of grade, as in any internship. But instead of returning endeavor he/she intends to pursue a career in, or learn to campus, these students continue as permanent more about. From an academic perspective, an intern employees, and in time will receive their diplomas. is viewed as a student in an environment offering opportunities to see the similarities and differences in If you are interested in working with our internship the classroom learning and practical application. He/ program please contact the Harrah Hotel College she receives academic credit and a grade based on the Dean’s Office at (702) 895-3161, and press option 8. completion of the required hours, on-site internship performance, and assignments completed.

Private support for the Harrah Hotel College programs during the Invent the Future Campaign campaign will support students and faculty in a hands-on hospitality and leisure services learning environment and provide a forum for cutting-edge research Update and development. We are pleased to announce some of the major gifts we have received: Gaming Standards Association (GSA) has committed $900,000 for two joint appointment professorships for the School of Informatics and the Harrah Hotel College; we have received $1.2 million from an anonymous donor to enhance our Career Services Center; and multiple other major gifts from the $10,000 to $100,000 gift levels. We thank everyone for their participation to help our college continue as the preeminent leader in undergraduate and graduate hospitality and tourism education. $500 million $500 Invent the Future is UNLV’s first

(in millions) comprehensive effort to secure the $400 V L Sept. 30, 2006 promises of tomorrow through a $332 million $300 $500 million fundraising initiative. June 30, 2004 June 30, 2005 $200 million With your help, private funding $245 million $200 June 30, 2003 $116.6 million for students, faculty, research, June 30, 2002 facilities, and programs will map a $100 $62.2 million course for Las Vegas’ next decade.

GIFTS AND PLEDGES TO UN 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 DURATION OF UNLV’S CAMPAIGN

36 The Jerry Vallen Professorship HONORING A LEGACY When Jerry Vallen came to Las Vegas in 1967 to begin the hospitality education program at UNLV, he received a warm welcome from the resort industry, which financed the original startup of the college. For the next 22 years, Jerry created a hospitality education program that would become one of the best in the world. Through his tenure as dean, the college graduated more than 2,400 students, feeding the industry’s demand for college-educated hospitality managers. To commemorate our founding dean’s commitments and accomplishments for the college and to the profession, we have established an endowed professorship. The Jerry Vallen Professorship will make funds available to bring distinguished industry and educational leaders with significant achievements in the hospitality industry to the Harrah Hotel College. This executive or professor-in-residence would come to UNLV to provide guest lectures, workshops, consultation, and advisement sessions with faculty, staff, and students on research and professional development projects.

___ I/we are pleased to support the Jerry Vallen Professorship William F. Harrah At the following level: Additional gifts ___ $50,000 ___ $25,000 ___ $10,000 ___ $5,000 ___ I have a matching-gift opportunity. ___ $1,000 ___ $500 ___ $ other ______My company is: ______I will make my gift in the following way: ___ My gift will be made through securities. For more information, please contact: ___ Gift amount $______My broker is: ______Full gift enclosed ___ I have included UNLV in my estate and will have my estate Karin Olsen ___ I wish to pledge over a five-year period. planner provide UNLV with appropriate documentation. Director of External Relations ___ Please send reminders: __ Annually __Quarterly ___ I would like information on how I can give through my William F. Harrah College __ Monthly estate plans. of Hotel Administration Beginning ______(702) 895-3148 ___ Please charge $______Thank you for your pledge! [email protected] on my Visa/Mastercard/AmEx/Discover Name ______Card # ______Mail to : Signature ______Expiration date ______Security code ______UNLV Foundation Name on card ______Address ______4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 451006 ___ Online at campaign.unlv.edu Phone ______Las Vegas, NV 89154-1006 FND0147 invent the future . . . the 50th anniversary campaign for the university of nevada, las vegas

harr ahleadership legendary standard community innovation of excellence creativity accomplishment hotelcelebrate these traditions with us supportive faculty give to the harrah hotel transformational college annual fund talent expertise For more information contact Karin Olsen, collegeDirector of External Relations at (702) 895-3148 or [email protected] pride

William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration Office of the Dean Non-Profit Org. 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 456013 US Postage Las Vegas, NV 89154-6013 PAID Permit No. 200 Las Vegas NV