A WILLIAM F. HARRAH COLLEGE OF HOTEL ADMINISTRATION PUBLICATION

PPSPRING/SUMMERREMIER 2006

Bill Paulos ’69 Alumnus of the Year

FROM VEGAS TO VINEYARDS INTERVIEW WITH INTERNAL AUDITOR PAULA EYLAR IGI DIRECTOR SELECTED MAKE UNLV T H E PL ACE FOR YOUR NEXT SPECIAL EVENT

old a cocktail party on campus? H How about a wedding reception Chef Gremo or a sports bash? It can be done, as can “We can do anything you need,” a number of different types of events, said Chef John Gremo when thanks to the banquet and meeting talking about holding events at the Stan Fulton Building. “Theme room space available at the Stan Fulton parties, bar mitzvahs, wedding Building. With over 6,000 square feet of receptions, alumni events, seminars, conferences…anything you can space as well as a professional catering think of!” staff, the Stan Fulton Building can From plated dinners for 10 to 200 accommodate small meetings and conferences as well as receptions for up to 300 people and full-service people, continental breakfasts, dinners for 200 people. The Stan Fulton Building is also home to a hip yet comfortable lounge-style bar. basic lunches or bu!ets, Chef Gremo will "gure out how to make your Conveniently located at the edge of campus on the corner of Flamingo Road and Swenson, the Stan dream a reality. “We recently did an Fulton Building is an ideal setting for special events and meetings. Executive Chef John Gremo and his amusement park theme, complete talented culinary team will deliver an unforgettable dining experience, whether your group is in need with video games, pool tables, chili cheese fries—the works.” of a continental breakfast, a working lunch, or an upscale, seated dinner. A variety of menu options are Whether you need a wedding cake or available and Chef Gremo can also personalize a custom menu to enhance the overall goal of your event. an ice carving for your event, know The next time you’re looking for the perfect space in which to host your special event, look no further with con"dence that Chef Gremo’s than the experts at the Harrah Hotel College. With the range of services and room styles available there is sta! can handle it. They are also able to do nearly every type of ethnic certain to be one that fits your needs perfectly! food, from Chinese to Mexican to FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT ANNIE KANG-DRACHEN Italian, as well as health-conscious and vegetarian menus. AT (702) 895-3903 OR [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 Debi Benedetti Dean Beyond the Possible Visit us at: hotel.unlv.edu James Busser Elizabeth Blau Issue Associate Dean Elizabeth Blau & Assoc. Seyhmus Baloglu Jonathan Boulware 4 ... Alumnus of the Year Bill Paulos Associate Dean Sunset Station Hotel & Casino Stan Bromley Andy Nazarechuk ’79, ’85 MS Meadowood Dean, UNLV Singapore John R. Donovan Jr. 8 ... Internal Auditor Paula Eylar Pearl Brewer, Director Aramark Graduate Studies Deirdre Flynn Andrew Feinstein ’91, ’95 MS NAFEM Chair, Food & Beverage Marvin M. Franklin 12 ... INNovation Village Update Management Commercial Growth Partners Gail Sammons ’87 MS Douglas K. Fryett Chair, Hotel Management Fryett Consulting Group ... Jerry Vallen Professorship Patti Shock Richard J. Goeglein 14 Chair, Tourism & Convention Evening Star Hospitality Administration Robert N. Grimes Honors a Legacy Accuvia Robyn Campbell-Ouchida ’00 MA Editor David W. Head Romacorp, Inc. MAKE UNLV T H E PL ACE Judy Nagai Van V. Heffner 16 ... Nightclub Management Class Director of Alumni Affairs Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association Karin Olsen Mary Mahoney FOR YOUR NEXT SPECIAL EVENT Director of External Relations Cendant Timeshare Resort Group Bill McBeath ’86 17 ... Spotlight on IGI’s New Director Alumni Association Bellagio Board of Directors E. Dean McClain CHAIR Nevada Gold Tulsa Marcus Threats ’87, ’99 MBA Stephen G. Michaelides 18 ... Las Vegas Economic Trends R & R Global Hospitality Words, Ink Bobbie Barnes ’93, ’05 M.Ed. Richard Mirman The Mirage Harrah’s Entertainment Jim Moore Paula Eylar ’89, ’97 MBA 20 ... From Vegas to Vineyards Moore Ideas, Inc. Boyd Gaming Paul B. Mullen Dennis Gradillas ’91 MICE North America Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Arthur Nathan 24 ... Online Executive Master’s Christine Paskvan Kiely ’90 Wynn Las Vegas Clear Channel Taxi Media Roman O’Gorman Program Fayyaz Raja ’92, ’95 Station Casinos Raja Enterprises Douglas Parker The Parker Co. Sal Semola ’81 Rampart Casino Bill Paulos ’69 Millennium Management Group Jennifer Eskin Smith ’04 MS Tom Shelbourne Thomas & Mack Center DEPARTMENTS Cendant Timeshare Resort Group Holly Mae Sparks Lindsay ’99 Christopher Silva Delmonico Steakhouse St. Francis Winery & Vineyards Dean’s Message ...... 2

Executive Members Susie Southgate-Fox Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Why I Chose this Industry ...... James Germain ’75 6 USA Hosts Arch Stokes, Esquire Shea, Stokes & Carter, ALC Student Spotlight ...... William McBeath ’86 7 John F. Sweeney, RRP, ISHC The Bellagio Chairman, Global Resorts, Inc. Congratulations ...... 30 Anthony Santo ’84 Taketoshi Takemoto Caesars Entertainment Ace Denken Co. UNLV is an AA/EEO Institution Claudine Williams Alumni Updates...... 31 Cover photo by Geri Kodey Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.

Concept design by Georgina Corbalan Design & production by Reprographics/Design Services 1 PREM IER • SPRING 2006

A Message from Dean Mann

Those chosen for the honor Cruise Lines; John W. Marriott III, receive travel expenses executive vice president, lodging, and a small honorarium Marriott International; Hasmukh for participating in the P. Rama, chairman and CEO, JHM academic program. This Hotels; Lance Shaner, chairman has turned out to be so and CEO, Shaner Hotel Group; successful that most of the and Jackie Trujillo, chairwoman, recipients of the honor refer Harman Management Corporation. to it on their resumes. This was the impetus for the Jerry In speaking with Jerry Vallen about I’ve Vallen Professorship. the idea, he was very enthused always because the idea embodies his Additionally, our students are philosophy of pedagogy. Vallen thought how nice it is to honor shielded from the rest of the has always embraced the notion and say “thank you” to the people world of hospitality, tourism, and that students learn better through recreation by the magnitude of the the individuals who have actually who are most deserving. The Las Vegas Strip. It is important practiced and used what they are idea to create the Jerry Vallen for the students to learn from teaching. The notion that we could the executives who have spent bring corporate executives into our Professorship comes from a very their entire careers managing classrooms was a direction fully similar successful idea I used at or in the corporate offices of supported by Vallen, as it is by the small hotel companies or small rest of our faculty members. Penn State many years ago. The restaurant companies. These are Conti Professorship was created also the kinds of executives we If you believe in the Harrah Hotel would invite to campus as “Vallen College and its educational goals, I to honor an alumnus who was also Professors.” To give you a better invite you to participate in funding a very accomplished restaurateur understanding of the kinds of this worthwhile goal of the Jerry people I refer to here, let me list a Vallen Professorship. As you will and former president of the few of the recipients of the Conti read elsewhere in this edition of National Restaurant Association, Professorship: Premier, we seek to raise at least $250,000 to support this endowed Walter Conti. Recipients of this Michael Berry, president and professorship. You can help by professorship were industry chief operating officer, Back Bay sending your donation made out Restaurant Group Inc.; Norman to “UNLV Foundation — the Jerry professionals and well respected Brinker, chairman emeritus, Vallen Professorship.” Please help leaders, invited to spend as much Brinker International; James us achieve this goal and honor the Broadhurst, chairman and CEO, only “first dean” we will ever have. time with the students, and in Eat ’n Park Hospitality Group; turn, they would forever hold the Richard Cattani, president, Restaurant Associates; Bob title of “Conti Professor.” Dickinson, president, Carnival

2 PREM IER • SPRING 2006 PRESIDENT HARTER COMMENDS GROWTH College continues to expand upon its impressive resume

As I prepare to move from the opportunity to learn the newest presidency to my next role with systems, techniques, expectations, UNLV, I am so pleased to be a and perspectives in hospitality. part of this edition of Premier In September, UNLV Singapore magazine. During my 11 years on will officially open its doors for campus, I have seen tremendous international students interested transformation throughout the in earning bachelor’s degrees university, including wonderful in hotel administration and achievements and a broadening hospitality management. This focus for our William F. Harrah is an enormous step for UNLV, College of Hotel Administration. bringing prominence both The college has solidified its nationally and internationally role as the industry leader in as tourism and education in hospitality education and is poised Singapore, China, and other Asian for an exciting future with an nations take center stage. expanding slate of initiatives on In the coming years, we can the horizon. also look forward to the realization UNLV has come a long way in of the vision for our cutting-edge the past decade, evolving from a hospitality campus, INNovation regional institution to a national Village, which will set a new With your support, UNLV has doctoral university — a true standard for learning and research already become a great national metropolitan campus, committed environments in the hospitality university. That reputation will to innovative teaching, research, industry. This important project continue to grow with each new and community engagement. continues to be a priority for program and initiative; continued Our university is an integral the university’s comprehensive recruitment of distinguished part of Las Vegas, contributing fundraising campaign, Invent faculty and top students; and to economic development and the Future, and we hope to innovative, cutting-edge research. capitalizing on our community’s announce some exciting funding We have taken a wonderful assets for unique research and partnerships very soon to assist journey together over the past 11 learning opportunities. This is UNLV in moving forward. years, and it has been my pleasure particularly true of the hotel As many of you know, although and honor to see the university college, which both benefits I am retiring from the presidency as a whole and the hotel college from and contributes to the inner in June, I will not by any means be rise to meet the challenges of our workings of the world’s greatest retiring from UNLV. I’m looking world. I would like to take this hospitality laboratory, right here forward to continuing to raise funds opportunity to thank each of you in Las Vegas. for the Invent the Future campaign — students, faculty members, Students from all over the (and to blowing through our staff, alumni, and friends — for world, and in increasing numbers, $500 million goal!) and to further your tireless work on behalf of aspire to attend our College of enhancing the university’s presence the college. With your efforts Hotel Administration. They come on the national and international at its heart, the Harrah Hotel to UNLV not only because of the stage through the establishment of College will only continue to opportunities our great city has the new Black Mountain Institute, a grow — in reputation, scope, to offer but also for the chance “think tank” through which major and achievement — well into the to study with faculty who are authors and artists engage in public future. active researchers and recognized discourse exploring society’s most industry leaders as well as the pressing issues. 3 Alumnus

Former Easterner enjoyed his time at Tumbleweed Tech as a member of the first hotel class at Nevada 4 Southern University. Photos by Geri Kodey of the Year by Robyn Campbell-Ouchida ’00 MA

The William F. Harrah College should check out Nevada Southern “There were only a few casinos of Hotel Administration is University in Las Vegas, that he — a lot of the kids went to the grateful to Bill Paulos for all was going for the dean’s job there. Silver Slipper to watch the Friday Well, we all showed up, but he night fights. When Circus Circus of his help and support over didn’t get the job!” opened, there was a room you the years. He was selected by At that time, traveling that far could pay $1 to go into and have the college’s alumni board as across the country for college was all the beer and cold cuts you the Alumnus of the Year for rare, but Paulos had always wanted wanted! It was a great deal. If you 2005–06 and was honored at to work in the hotel industry. “I had left the room to use the bathroom, a cousin who worked for Sheraton, I remember that you had to pay last fall’s UNLV Homecoming and I thought that was just the another dollar to get back in!” Dinner. He was recognized greatest. Just as today, the hotel college again with a tribute during the expected students to complete Vallen Dinner of Distinction at “The atmosphere at UNLV internships. “I got to work at the the end of April. Riviera for my internship,” says was wonderful. Jerry Vallen Paulos. “It gave me a really great was a terrific fellow who had overview of the whole place. I n the late 1960s, Bill Paulos ’69 a couple of professors who worked in every department and and four of his friends from the worked hard to develop the with some of the best guys in the State University of New York at business at that time.” I hotel school. The students Delhi stepped off the airplane in After graduation, Paulos moved Las Vegas and wondered what they were mostly junior college to Mobile, Ala., to work for a hotel, had gotten themselves into. “It was transfers, like my friends but the culture shock was just a the beginning of September, which and I. In fact, we were the bit much for him. “I came back to meant the weather was already first guys to inhabit the Las Vegas and worked for Recrion cool back home in New Jersey, and Corporation, which owned the we were dressed rather warmly,” dormitories! Aladdin, the Fremont, and the recalls Paulos. “It was like stepping Stardust. I worked in personnel, into a furnace! I remember that we “I remember that 90 percent of accounting, and food and beverage, asked this big cowboy — he was my classes were in Frazier Hall,” and I was able to learn a lot.” wearing a hat and boots — what says Paulos. “The Moyer Student From there, he went to the Royal time it was, and he said, ‘6 o’clock, Union was just opening. Campus Las Vegas on Convention Center straight up.’ It sounded like he was was a lot of fun, and because my Drive, where he was the assistant speaking another language, and I buddies and I were from so far general manager. “I was thrown think we all wondered what we had away, people referred to us as into that job, and it was way over done!” ‘New York Limited.’ We spoke my head,” he recalls. “I had to sink For Paulos and his friends, this differently. We were sort of a or swim, so I got my act together was just the beginning of a lifelong rarity! and learned a lot.” adventure with the hospitality “Las Vegas really was a frontier In 1980, Paulos joined Circus industry. “I grew up just outside town — we were amazed at the city Circus Enterprises, Inc. as director of New York City, in New Jersey,” and the desert. I remember that of hotel administration. The next says Paulos. “In between our final we used to walk to go to the corner year, he was promoted to vice exams and graduation, my friends of Tropicana and Paradise, and president/general manager of the and I were drinking in a bar when we were always watching out for Silver City Casino. He was the one of our professors told us we snakes! continued on page 28 5 PREM IER • SPRING 2006 WHY I CHOSE TO WORK IN THIS INDUSTRY

WILLIAM C. ANTON Chairman & Founder Anton Airfood Inc. National Advisory Board Member

I think it’s safe to say that the hospitality industry Newark doing $5.8 million, our “craziness” became was not my primary area of expertise. But in the an important part of the Anton business model. 1960s, I was looking for something to do, so I opened As thankful as we are for our success, I am my first restaurant, a casual eatery in Detroit called always mindful that the most important lessons Club Graffiti. At first, I saw it almost as a hobby. are those I was fortunate to learn from the giants Soon, my “hobby” had me hooked. … I opened a of our industry. “Never forget the customer” was more upscale venue, the Bull Market in Detroit’s a mantra of Jerry Berns, a dear friend and owner financial district, and three years later, I launched of New York’s legendary 21 Club. My relationships Anton’s of Grosse Pointe, a haute cuisine restaurant, with Jerry and other mentors also taught me about which I’m pleased to say was recognized with some the extraordinary value of getting involved in our of the most prestigious fine-dining awards: Travel industry and giving back. Holiday, Mobil 4 Star, AAA-4 Diamond, and others. Serving on the boards of the State Restaurant My passion for fine dining continued after I moved Association, National Restaurant Association, and to Washington, D.C., with two ventures that went other industry institutions such as the Culinary on to win major awards: the Loyal Opposition and Institute of America can be very time-consuming. Anton’s 1201, an elegant supper club. But I can safely say I’ve always gotten back more Getting into the airport business was a happy than I gave. What a great profession this is! We are accident. In 1988, I opened a restaurant at National the largest industry in America, employing 12.6 Airport with Patricia Miller, a business partner who million people, offering record opportunities to later became my life partner and wife. We saw the minorities, entry-level workers, women, and others tremendous potential for bringing new standards of who won’t find such a level playing field in other creativity, quality, and excellence to airport dining, careers. and over the past 17 years, we developed Anton The hospitality industry is truly one of the last Airfood into a network of 172 restaurants in 24 bastions of Horatio Algiers’ time-honored philosophy airports across America. In the beginning, people that we all start out the same, but with hard work thought we were crazy to attempt full service in and determination, we can reach the top. I have airports, but with winners like Anthony’s in Seattle absolutely no doubt that anyone willing to work hard doing $9.5 million and Gallagher’s Steakhouse in can find enormous success in our business. Period.

6 PREM IER • SPRING 2006 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT by Miles Dickson ’06

Omari Deron-Head ’07

For most people, a hotel lobby is program in business and law. Deron-Head’s hard work firsthand. just a place to store baggage or Two master’s degrees should Corsun, a faculty member in the have a cocktail, but for Omari not be too much of a problem for Department of Hotel Management, Deron-Head, it is the place that this student, as he is no stranger to explains that he is incredibly active inspired his career. A fascination hard work. Before beginning his both academically and with the with hotel lobbies drew Deron- current job as a front desk agent at university community, noting that Head into his current career path. the Bellagio, Deron-Head worked Deron-Head is always working Now a junior in the Harrah Hotel in the UNLV kitchen scrubbing not just for himself but also for College, he is well on his way to sink drains. Though not shy to the betterment of fellow students. realizing his aspirations — and admit his less than glamorous first Corsun goes on to say that Deron- he seems to know it. “Sleepers get job, he is particularly happy with Head’s experience and success nothing but dreams,” Deron-Head his current opportunities. thus far are “a testimony to his explains. Deron-Head came to UNLV growth as a person since he got to A Chicago native, Deron-Head not just for its curriculum but campus.” moved to Las Vegas to pursue a also for the level of diversity In addition to all of his on- bachelor’s degree with a major found on campus, a cause that campus activities and his job, in hotel administration and a he has worked to advance. He is Deron-Head makes time to minor in human resources. After the chapter president of both the be a motivational speaker for graduation in May 2007, Deron- National Society of Minorities in programs and workshops aimed Head plans on continuing his Hospitality (NSMH) and the Alpha at integrating high school juniors education. He’ll likely return to Phi Alpha Fraternity on campus. and seniors into higher education. his hometown to attend graduate He also serves as president of the His work with the College Summit studies at Northwestern University National Pan-Hellenic Council. program includes coaching or instead might remain in Las Deron-Head is currently a senator first-generation college students Vegas to attend the William S. for the hotel college. through the college admittance Boyd School of Law. Either way, he As the faculty advisor to NSMH, and financial aid process. plans on enrolling in a dual-degree David Corsun, Ph.D., knows

7 Afor HotelSurprising Management Career Alumna Path Eylar

by Robyn Campbell-Ouchida ’00 MA

hen alumna Paula Eylar ’89, ’97 MBA entered the W hospitality industry, she never anticipated her career path in hotel operations would lead her to the area of internal audit. Seventeen years later, Eylar is the vice president of internal audit for Boyd Gaming Corporation, recently recognized by Forbes magazine as the best managed company in the category of “Hotels, Restaurant and Leisure.” She is in charge of overseeing the review of compliance with gaming regulations and standards for each of Boyd’s 19 properties as well as overseeing the review of the internal controls over financial reporting for the company. Eylar came to Las Vegas in 1985 to attend UNLV. As a Harrah Hotel College graduate, she moved to California to work for an Embassy Suites property in Arcadia and in 1991 transferred to Harrah’s Las Vegas property. After holding the director of internal audit position for the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino, Eylar joined Boyd Gaming in 1995. In addition to being very involved with Boyd Gaming, Eylar agencies, participated in the UNLV directors. is a shining star when it comes Hotel College Mentor program for “I really enjoy being able to to being a Harrah Hotel College several years, and has sponsored reach out to students,” Eylar alumna. She is a past president ‘A Day in Internal Audit’ for comments. “I know that the guest and past board member of the Las accounting students at UNLV and speakers I had the chance to hear Vegas Chapter of the Institute of CCSN for numerous years. Eylar is were really interesting when I was Internal Auditors and has served currently a member of the Harrah choosing a career path.” on other boards and nonprofit Hotel College alumni board of Eylar says she believes Boyd 8 Gaming’s history is parallel to that of UNLV. “The company has really grown — from a small entity to one of the top gaming companies. It still maintains that family atmosphere, and employees are encouraged to have confidence in their abilities, much like at UNLV.

Even though UNLV started out small and has now grown into a world-class institution, you still feel special when you are there, like part of a family. I’ve been fortunate to have known all three deans of the Harrah Hotel College and see how they have all contributed to the college in different ways.

“While we all work to live, you don’t necessarily feel that way at Boyd. It’s the same feeling I had at UNLV — I was attaining education but not for just one goal; it was to help me have the confidence to do whatever I wanted!” Premier asked Eylar how Boyd Gaming handled the issues that hurricanes Katrina and Rita dealt the company and how her position worked through those problems and solutions. moved to Sam’s Town Shreveport so he could continue “Boyd had two properties that were hit by Katrina his work as well.” and Rita,” says Eylar. “Treasure Chest in New Orleans Eylar had the opportunity to visit that area after and Delta Downs in Vinton, La. Although they were both properties had reopened. “I know it’s a cliché to both hit, they sustained a lot less damage than many say that you can’t believe the devastation until you other gaming companies’ properties. see it, but that really was true. The pictures don’t “We were fortunate because we were able to reopen do it justice — you need that visual to completely both of them before the end of the year. Treasure Chest understand. There were literally blocks of empty reopened Oct. 10; and Delta Downs, Nov. 3. Because homes, like a ghost town.” of the staffing challenges, neither one is open 24 hours Premier also asked Eylar about the changes going a day as they previously were. We operate there on a on at one of Boyd’s most well-known properties, ‘limited’ day, where we are closed seven to eight hours the Stardust. “The Stardust is set to be imploded a day. It seems to be working for these properties, during 2007,” she notes. “I don’t want to sound like and for that, we are so thankful. We will continue to I’m bragging, but this company has been utterly monitor and do what’s best for the company and the magnificent and focused on the Stardust employees environment in which those properties are operating.” and customers. Since the property opened more than Eylar notes that the company was phenomenal in 50 years ago, there are some old-timers we expect will sending as many supplies to that region as it could. probably retire when the Stardust closes. However, we It also moved employees to other Boyd properties will make every effort to maintain customer service, around the country and paid every employee it could and then at the appropriate time, we will do everything find for 90 days. “If they could get to us, we had a we can to help the employees relocate to other Boyd check for them,” she says. “Housing was the biggest Gaming properties, and the same with our customers challenge for our employees down there, and it still — we hope to place them at other Boyd Gaming is,” Eylar adds. properties.” “We brought the internal auditor from Treasure The Stardust is being imploded to make way for Chest to our office for two months, and she worked Boyd Gaming’s largest project to date, Echelon Place, with us,” she says. “The Delta Downs auditor was a world-class destination on the Las Vegas Strip, 9 PREM IER • SPRING 2006 PAR FOR THE CURE COMPLETES FIRST TOURNAMENT by Chris Cain, PGA Last October, students from UNLV’s Professional Golf Management (PGM) program helped organize and staff the Par for the Cure Celebrity Classic Golf Tournament, a benefit tourney to raise funds for breast cancer research and to help those already stricken by the disease. Founded by former golf pro and Las Vegas resident Brian Esposito in honor of his mother, the October event was staged at the Tournament of Players Club at The Canyons in Las Vegas. Participants, sponsors, donors, celebrities, and PGA Tour players playing in the Las Vegas Invitation- al kicked off the weekend’s events Oct. 16, with a cocktail party held at the JW Marriott Las Vegas. The tournament was held Oct. 17, with an awards luncheon and check pre- sentation following the event. The tournament’s first year was “The UNLV PGM students added a ment website, www.parforthecure. very successful, with a full field level of professionalism to our event com. of 120 golfers. Participants were in that they kept pace of play to a The UNLV Professional Golf organized into 18 six-person groups high standard. They also served as Management program is led by consisting of a professional golfer, representatives of the game of golf Christopher Cain PGA. Students a celebrity, and four amateurs. and enforced all of the rules of golf, graduating from the PGM program PGA Tour players who participated which allowed for a fair and honest will receive a bachelor of science included Kim Saiki, Sergio, Bill competition.” degree in recreation, with a concen- Lunde, and Mike Louden. Susan More than $100,000 in total was tration in professional golf manage- Anton, John Daly, Seth Joyner, raised, and Dr. Dennis Slamon, ment. The PGM curriculum consists Al Joyner, and Duke Simms were who developed Herceptin, a drug of 124 credit hours in four primary among other celebrities who took currently used to save thousands areas: golf management, recre- part in the event. of breast cancer patients, was on ation and leisure, general studies, In addition to helping with the hand to accept the $50,000 check and elective courses. Along with actual tournament, PGM students for UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive these commitments, students must sold fundraising bracelets. By vol- Cancer Center. Another $50,000 complete 16 months of internship unteering their time and efforts, the check was presented to Candlelight- experience under the guidance of a students collected more than $2,500 ers, an organization providing as- PGA Class A professional. Specialty in donations. According to the sistance to children with cancer and seminars are also offered to assist event’s founder, Brian Esposito, their families in the Las Vegas area. students in passing the Professional More information on Par for the Golfers Training Program offered Cure is available from the tourna- by the PGA.

10 PREM IER • SPRING 2006 COCKTAILS ANYONE?

Harrah Hotel College Advisory Board member Elizabeth Blau (of Elizabeth Blau & Associates) appeared on Martha Stewart’s television program Martha Feb. 7. The episode featured a number of Las Vegas restaurants. Montecristo Rum, the company run by alumnus Tim Haughinberry, president, and Josh Wand, national sales manager, was also featured on the program as Martha demonstrated how to make her new favorite cocktail, the Mojito.

Coconut Mojito

(makes one)

4 sprigs fresh mint

1 ½ oz. canned coconut milk

½ oz. rock candy syrup

Juice of one lime

Ice cubes

2 oz. Montecristo light rum

1—2 oz. club soda

Coconut rum for serving

Combine mint, coconut milk, syrup, and lime juice in a mixing glass; muddle for a few seconds. Add ice, rum, and soda; stir to combine. Pour into a highball glass; add enough coconut rum to just float on the surface of the drink. Serve immediately.

Alum Tim Haughinberry poses atop his award-winning rum. Photo by Sean Thompson.

11 FOURTH IN A SERIES UNLV HOSPITALITY CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT UPDATE INNovation Village Planning Session

Attracts Gathering of Eagles by Russell Dazzio ’73

During the second half of 2005, expressed interest in supporting If you have expertise in Dean Stuart H. Mann and Russ and working on INNovation hotel, accounting, food and Dazzio, the project coordinator Village. As the year drew to a beverage, or conference for INNovation Village, focused close, they decided to pick a person much of their energies to pitch from each discipline believed to be center operations or are INNovation Village to every important to the overall concept to skilled in the disciplines hospitality industry leader who attend a planning “work session” of hospitality design, would give them a few minutes of on INNovation Village. And, thus, development, technology, their time. As the countryside was what can best be described as a financial planning, or law and scoured for future partners, they “gathering of eagles” vectored in also took time to seek out the very on the UNLV Stan Fulton Building are interested in chairing or best and brightest the hospitality Feb. 1, for what turned out to be a serving on a subcommittee, industry has to offer to serve on the most interesting day. please contact Karin Olsen at newly formed INNovation Village One of the purposes of this (702) 895-3148 or Advisory Group. The search was first get-together was to use the [email protected]. unique in that not only were they experts as a sounding board to looking for top operations people test a number of theories that had of expecting gifting from major but also for individuals skilled been created on how INNovation technology organizations like in the disciplines of hospitality Village would be developed and Microsoft were discussed. It design, development, technology, actually operate. Such things became evident early in the day financial planning, law and, of as what operating protocols that bringing INNovation Village course, education. By the end of would best serve a commercial to UNLV represented possibly the 2005, they had spoken to a number venture located within a public most complex and challenging of senior executives who had institution, and the practicality development ever attempted on a college campus. Ignoring the advice that “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” the organizers asked their “gathering of eagles” to tackle a total of six objectives during a very short time period. They included:

• Define INNovation Village, its vision, and its mission; • Clarify what facilities are being considered to be part of INNovation Village; • Identify the value of INNovation Village to its constituents: UNLV, the technology industries, the hospitality industry, etc; • Create an organizational structure outline for the planning committee; 12 INNovation Village UNLV Harrah Hotel College

• Discuss what protocols will be Dazzio, chairman, required to develop, design, and R&R Global operate INNovation Village; and Hospitality; Andy • Identify what immediate action Feinstein, department steps the planning committee of food and beverage needs to take. management, Harrah Hotel College; Nearly all of the objectives Rob Grimes, chief were met by a dedicated group executive officer, of individuals who made up Accuvia; Cathy Hayes, our distinguished INNovation senior director of Village Planning Work Session administration, Las participants. The participants Vegas Convention and were Hal Berghel, associate Visitors Authority; Jay Members of the INNovation Village advisory group dean, Howard R. Hughes College Kornmayer, executive discuss the project. of Engineering; Glenn Bonner, vice president, chief information officer, senior gaming division, vice president, MGM MIRAGE; Wells Fargo; Mary Karin Olsen, director of external Pearl Brewer, director of graduate Malloy, national and international relations, Harrah Hotel College. studies, Harrah Hotel College; sales manager, Hotel & Motel It was clear after the first Rajesh Chandnani, director of Management; Stuart Mann, dean, planning session the amount of strategic planning and consulting, Harrah Hotel College; Matthew work ahead is staggering and many Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo; Muta, industry manager, hospitality more talented people are needed Jill Cole, principal, Cole Martinez and retail industry solutions to fill positions in the myriad of Curtis and Associates; Russ unit, Microsoft Corporation; and subcommittees that will be formed. 13 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.

William F. Harrah College ___ I/we are pleased to support the Jerry Vallen Professorship of Hotel Administration 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 14 FND0147 TERRY LANNI REMEMBERS A GAMING PIONEER AT UNLV SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON by Deborah A. Young, CFRE, ’98 MPA

When MGM MIRAGE executive wonderful memories Dolores Owens died in November about Owens, her legacy, 2003, the gaming industry lost one and the important role of the highest-ranking women in she played in the lives of the casino business. In recognition many, including the Lanni of Owens, longtime friend and family. With the hope colleague Terry Lanni, CEO of that the Dolores Owens MGM MIRAGE, established a Scholarship Endowment scholarship fund for students Fund will continue to in the Harrah Hotel College. To grow larger, generate date, more than 75 individuals more funding, and provide and businesses have supported for more scholarship Claudine Williams, Terry Lanni, and Kitty the fund and five students have awards, Lanni issued a Rodman received awards. challenge to all those who To contribute to the fund, Lanni recently spoke to UNLV knew Owens. please contact Deborah Young, students, faculty, staff, and He will personally match director of scholarship & tribute donors at the Annual Scholarship additional gifts to the Dolores giving, UNLV Foundation, at Recognition Lunch hosted by Owens Scholarship Endowment (702) 895-2818 or by e-mail at President Carol C. Harter at the Fund made between now and the [email protected]. UNLV Foundation. His comments end of May 2006, up to a total You may also give online at at the luncheon included some amount of $50,000. http://foundation.unlv.edu.

rivate support for Harrah Hotel College programs during has committed $500,000 for student scholarships; and Pthe Invent the Future campaign will support students Jung-Ho Suh pledged the $50,000 leadership gift toward and faculty in a hands-on hospitality and leisure services the Jerry Vallen Professorship. We thank everyone for their learning environment and provide a forum for cutting-edge participation to help your college continue as the pre- research and development. We are pleased to announce eminent leader in undergraduate and graduate hospitality some of the major gifts we have received: Station Casinos and tourism education. $500 million $500 Invent the Future is UNLV’s first comprehensive effort to secure the (in millions) $400 V L March 31, 2006 promises of tomorrow through a $317.1 million $300 $500 million fundraising initiative. June 30, 2004 $200 million June 30, 2005 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 15 PREM IER • SPRING 2006

NIGHTCLUB MANAGEMENT CLASS: You Can Earn Credit for This? by Karen Sharp

On any given weekend in Las graduation. I wanted to enhance vacuum for new management and Vegas, hundreds of club hoppers the beverage program and better future leaders in the nightclub line up behind red velvet ropes assist the students concentrating field. Nightclub owners are forced waiting for the chance to enter on this degree in becoming more to recycle less than ideal people any one of the city’s hot in key positions. This spots. Nightclubs are class is designed to give a flourishing and ever- students more of an idea changing business in Las of what is out there and Vegas as well as in other give them insight to an cities all over the world. industry previously not Social tastes change on a explored at UNLV. “I whim; the need for disco created the concept of the can change into a need nightclub management for glam rock, grunge, course quite simply or bubble gum pop in a because nothing like it split second. Employees existed,” he says. “This of a successful club must class will serve to help be on top of the latest prepare the next wave of trends and be prepared nightlife operators for the for whatever comes next. first steps of a successful That’s where UNLV comes in. attractive to companies operating career in the industry.” Thanks to a new class on the Strip.” How will he do that? Bass has taught in the food and beverage Bass says he wanted to give structured the class to alternate management department at UNLV, something back to the school. field trips to the city’s hottest students are learning all about He pitched the idea to Donald nightclub venues, tours with senior the ins and outs of operating a Bell, Ph.D., a professor in the management, and in-class lectures thriving nightclub. The nightclub food and beverage management from some of the most pioneering management course is in its first department. With his support, and dynamic personalities semester and is already creating they presented the idea to food involved in the industry today. a buzz. Bryan Bass, an alumnus and beverage management As for the future of the class, of the hotel college and instructor department chair Andy Feinstein, Bass remains positive. He hopes to of the nightclub management who arranged to have the class be able to start placing his students class, created the concept of the added to the schedule. “I am very in nightclub intern positions that course after he graduated. “I was excited about our new offering in will count toward their intern the first student to graduate with the department,” says Feinstein. requirements. “As far as my long- a beverage management major,” “Nightclub management is an term goals with this class,” Bass he says. “And I was somewhat emerging management field, with says, “I would like to see UNLV disappointed with the lack of tremendous potential for growth. create a nightclub management progress the degree had made in Bass says there is a real need concentration under the hospitality the four years since my for the class because there is a degree.”

16 PREM IER • SPRING 2006 PREM IER • SPRING 2006

SPOTLIGHT ON PATTY BECKER Executive Director of the International Gaming Institute

by Robyn Campbell-Ouchida ’00 MA

In September, UNLV appointed and basically how to be a regulator. Are there any new or upcoming Patricia Becker as executive The IGI also has training programs at the IGI? director of the International programs for the industry, both We’re working on getting Gaming Institute (IGI). The domestically and internationally. certification programs for next fall. post had been vacant since the We also have generic programs like We are also looking into offering death of the institute’s former accounting and finance, online programs for executive director, Shannon Bybee, so if you are already the IGI. and it took nearly two years to working in the industry, The IGI is really find someone with such varied you can get additional in a growth mode. experience. With a background training. There is a lot of similar to Bybee’s, Becker is a positive energy former attorney, regulator, and How has your around, and although casino executive. In addition to background as an the institute had lost serving as the executive director, attorney, gaming some momentum Becker is also teaching a casino law counsel, Gaming with Shannon’s death, course this spring. Control Board member, we’re working on and teacher prepared getting a lot of things Not many people know what you for this job? up and running. I’m your position entails. What is This is a three-part Executive Director especially excited the executive director of the IGI answer. On the teaching Patti Becker about our new responsible for? side, I think I can be director of programs, The goals of the IGI are to effective because I have worked in Nakia Jackson-Hale, who started provide training and education for the industry. … I understand what in that position at the beginning of both gaming regulators and those goes on in casinos. I know what March. working in the industry. My job is students need to know, and it’s not to coordinate the programs to make every detail — they need a general How can Harrah Hotel College that happen. understanding of the system so they alumni support the IGI? The institute was created won’t get into trouble. I think that’s a two-way street about 10 years ago and has On the IGI side, I’m fortunate — the institute should support trained the regulators in probably enough to know many of the them, and they should support the every gaming jurisdiction — industry leaders and can call on institute. Alumni in the gaming specifically the United States and them for assistance to teach a class industry can be helpful by teaching internationally. We work with the or whatever the need may be. classes because they have a good Gaming Control Board here in the The third part is the government understanding for what students state of Nevada. They come in, and side — I know that working for need to know. They can also take we have private training sessions UNLV is not the same as working courses, and the IGI can help them for new gaming jurisdictions like for state government, but there with certification and ongoing Indian casinos. They can come in are some similarities. All of this instruction. and learn how to do a licensing makes my job a perfect fit for my investigation, background check, expertise. surveillance, security, enforcement, 17 FROM THEORY TO RESEARCH LAS VEGAS ECONOMIC TRENDS by Robyn Campbell-Ouchida ’00 MA

pen any Las Vegas Analysis. Aguero has become a He’s someone who credits his business publication, and staple resource for business and UNLV education with his ability Oyou’ll most likely find economic analysis on current to carve out a unique niche. Not reference to Jeremy Aguero ’97, trends in a number of industries, surprising, many graduates have ’04 JD and his company, Applied including land use and gaming. found themselves in careers 18 outside the traditional hospitality Applied Analysis is a Nevada- quantity, we’re very selective in field. based advisory services firm. It hiring. As a freshman, Aguero met is an information and analysis “Our company fills a previously the late Shannon Bybee, former resource for both the public and untapped niche. … We really like director of the International private sectors. The company’s and understand trend data,” says Gaming Institute at UNLV. team has extensive experience Aguero. “He basically took me under his in economics, information About 40 percent of Applied wing and got me really involved technology, and finance, and it Analysis’ work is for the public on campus,” Aguero remembers. applies this knowledge in an effort sector, and the remaining 60 “He was just phenomenal to me, to develop creative solutions to percent is in the private sector. and I wanted to follow in his their clients’ challenges. With clients ranging from Boyd footsteps.” In addition to obtaining Gaming, MGM MIRAGE, and his undergraduate degree, those Station Casinos to all of Southern footsteps included law school. “The contacts I made Nevada’s municipalities, the “While I was an undergrad, Bureau of Land Management, and Shannon really helped me see at UNLV have been the federal government, to name a clear path. He got me into remarkable to my but a few, Aguero’s company and finance and economics courses, its work are certainly diversified. and although I wasn’t an honors business,” comments “The contacts I made at UNLV student, he helped me get into Aguero. “Southern have been remarkable to my some honors and graduate business,” comments Aguero. classes. There was no one I had Nevada was and still is “Southern Nevada was and still more respect for when it came to built on relationships. I is built on relationships. I stay higher education than Shannon. in close contact with the folks at stay in close contact with He helped put me on the road less UNLV and believe that all alumni traveled, and it’s led to amazing the folks at UNLV and should. You never know when things,” Aguero says. believe that all alumni those relationships will come in During his senior year as handy.” a student in the hotel college, should. You never know Aguero’s advice to those Aguero worked for Coopers & when those relationships looking to get into a field similar Lybrand LLC’s Financial Advisory to his: “Diversify your skill set, Services Group, where he learned will come in handy.” take as many classes as you the ins and outs of gaming can, such as writing, heavy audit work. “I had the chance to mathematics, internships, and stay learn about real estate, urban Aguero’s team has performed up on market trends. Don’t steer economics, and other important analyses in Nevada, California, away from the rigor — it will help items,” says Aguero. “These Mississippi, Colorado, and Illinois. you understand people, skills, and things, combined with the vast Its public sector practice has operations,” he says. He believes amount of knowledge I gained at analyzed the fiscal and economic that higher education is what you UNLV, really helped me start my impact of developments from make of it, not what it makes of business.” five to 23,000 acres and has dealt you. Upon forming Applied Analysis with policy issues spanning from So why does Aguero support in 1997, the company’s first project business tax initiatives to the cost UNLV? “Both UNLV and its law was preparing The Hospitality of air-quality programs. “I am so school need a huge commitment Industry’s Impact on the State fortunate — I get to do good work from the community in order of Nevada: A Review & Analysis for good clients,” he says. to continually be recognized with Bybee. This report was later “We’re up to nine employees nationally and internationally. submitted to the Federal Gaming now,” says Aguero. “We’d really The reputation of our alma mater Impact Study Commission. “That like to expand our reach, but is dependent on the next group of project really opened a lot of doors because we do focus on the students,” he explains. for me,” says Aguero. quality of our work over the 19 From Vegas to Vineyards

Sideways or Straight Ahead for a Career in the Wine Industry?

by Robyn Campbell-Ouchida ’00 MA

20 ven before last year’s surprise hit movie Sideways, Wine is a living thing — it’s wonderful to work with, wine consumption has been increasingly gaining but some people put it on a pedestal and worship it, E in popularity over the past few years. There are which I don’t agree with. It’s just grape juice that has wine bars popping up all across the country, and gone rotten!” many restaurants are offering flights of wine so that Page Wine Cellars produces 1,300 cases each patrons can try a few and see which ones they really season. Page notes that the entrepreneur classes enjoy. With all of these opportunities in the wine he took while at UNLV were a huge help. “Knowing business, it’s no wonder that many Harrah Hotel how to read financial reports and generate capital is College graduates end up working in the industry. so important. Having that basis really helps me,” he Premier found out what drives these individuals’ says. passion about the work they do as well as how they Lance ’82 and Claire ’82 Silver are winemakers found their career callings. and winery owners at Tobin James Cellars in Paso Bryan Page ’96 is the owner of Page Wine Robles, Calif. They purchased half of the operation in Cellars, located in California’s wine country. He 1996 after selling a junior sportswear company they grew up in Southern California and started cooking had begun 13 years prior. Claire is not as involved in at age 16. Through his culinary skills, he gained the detailed winemaking aspects as her husband, but an appreciation of wine, and as a student of the she is involved with the final blending of the wines California Culinary Academy, he completed an before they are bottled. She also keeps busy with internship at a winery. Page also interned at Wine merchandising, guest and industry relations, and Spectator magazine as a tasting room coordinator. marketing duties for the winery. “I also worked as a seasonal helper for the Lance began collecting wine when he was 17 Truchards (a small, family-owned winery in Napa — although he didn’t drink it then. He enjoyed taking Valley), and I did just about everything there,” says Don Bell’s wine-tasting classes as a UNLV student. Page. “I really enjoyed the operation and hoped to Claire, on the other hand, grew up in San Francisco one day have something similar.” and visited Napa and Sonoma a lot with her family. After graduating from the California Culinary She also shared the fact that although she was Academy, Page was working in the catering industry never able to take Don Bell’s class, Lance shared his when an accident nearly ended his career aspirations knowledge and enthusiasm about those classes with to work with food and wine. her. “I decided that since I couldn’t stand for a while, I should finish my education. I decided to go to UNLV “I was always intrigued by the beautiful because I was aware of their hospitality program. I vineyards, the smell of the wine-filled oak barrels completed two years of coursework in one year.” aging, and the caves. The tasting rooms always After Page received his degree, he was asked by gave us kids grape juice to sample,” she says. some faculty members if he would be interested in teaching a summer course in Switzerland. Premier asked the Silvers about recent trends they “That was a great learning experience — for me have seen in the industry. and for the students. What an incredible opportunity “Wine consumption in America is at an all- it was to see Europe and learn more about wine,” he time high, surpassing beer for the first time as the says. number-one adult beverage consumed,” says Lance. Page founded Page Wine Cellars in 1997 when “Wine quality continues to improve, which makes the he felt strong enough to get back in the game. future even more exciting.” “My family has been a tremendous help,” he says. Claire comments that “besides the consumption, “In addition to my parents helping out during the wine country visits are the number-one tourist harvest, my mom does the bookkeeping and my thing to do in California. This means it will be more dad helps with deliveries in the valley. My brother important than ever for winery tasting rooms to actually designed one of my labels. It’s very much a demonstrate true hospitality and give customers an family operation. experience they will not forget. We have a chance to “The people you meet working in this industry are really ‘make’ people’s vacations and have them relive amazing,” says Page. “My advice to someone who is those great times when they open bottles of wine interested in winemaking is to stay true to your style. they purchased on their vacation.” 21 They both agree that She notes that it is their degrees in hotel important to work while administration gave you’re going to college them “rounded and so you can immediately grounded” approaches apply all the skills you’re to the industry. “Most learning. of my classes helped me “If you do this, you in one way or another basically get your entry- throughout my adult level job over with right working life — even away,” says Clark. “I when I was removed would love to be able from the industry for to take the food and years before returning beverage cost control class to it,” says Claire. “For again now that I have students considering some more experience working for or owning a under my belt.” winery one day, I would Another alumnus say to always remember working in Las Vegas who your customer is. is Ryan Voss ’02, wine Do it for the love of director for the Rio All- the product and your Suite Hotel and Casino. customers. Don’t get too As someone who caught up in the glamour describes himself as or the wine review/ having had a “lifelong ratings games.” love affair with food Kathy Clark ’94 is the and wine,” Voss grew up director of catering for helping his mother cook Walters Golf, owner of adventurous meals in the Bali Hai Golf Club San Francisco for their in Las Vegas. In her family. Kathy Clark ’94, is director of catering for Bali Hai Golf position, she organizes Club in Las Vegas, Nev. parties, weddings, and private events, which make up more than 50 percent “My passion for wine began at my of the club’s revenue. The largest market she caters grandfather’s table where he loved to is conventions, many of which do “buyouts” of the sharing a bottle, a meal, and good restaurant. Premier asked her about the alcohol consumption conversation.” It was these childhood at such events and trends she has seen in her job as experiences that inspired Voss to pursue a caterer. “I’ve found that approximately 40 percent a career in the hospitality industry. of people drink wine at events, and they always drink more red than white wine,” says Clark. “Most “At the table, we can experience a sense of peace wedding parties host an open bar and usually with others, a sense of love,” comments Voss. “In offer a Cabernet and a Chardonnay. Lately, I have most aspects of their lives, people move too fast. But noticed that more are going toward Pinot Grigio and sitting at a table sharing food and wine is the one Rieslings, though.” time most people can slow down and reconnect with Clark goes on to say that in the past few years, she each other.” has noticed more requests for smaller food dishes He attended the Sommelier Society of America’s complete with wine pairings. “This trend has really Captains Course for sommelier certification and taken off. We’ve started hosting a few events here also took classes from the Viticulture and Enology that are open to the public where we offer a variety Department at the University of California at Davis of wines by the region along with small appetizers.” continued on page 27 2224 PREM IER • SPRING 2006 UNLV SINGAPORE On Track for September 2006 Opening by Karen Sharp

UNLV and the Singapore Economic Development 200 students Board (EDB) are moving forward with establishing the are expected to William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration’s enroll for fall 2006 first international campus. Singapore’s Ministry classes. of Education recently approved UNLV Singapore Stuart Mann, formally as an Institute of Higher Education. And now, dean of the Harrah UNLV Singapore is accepting applications for online Hotel College, says enrollment in its first classes, scheduled to begin in Singapore provides September 2006. an ideal setting In September 2005, the Nevada System of Higher for the college’s Education Board of Regents unanimously approved first international the university’s request to hire the first group of campus. “The instructors for the UNLV Singapore campus. Andy proximity of The National Library of Singapore Nazarechuk, assistant professor with UNLV’s Harrah Singapore to China will house UNLV Singapore. Hotel College, will serve as dean in the new hotel and other Asian administration program. “UNLV is excited to establish nations makes its first international campus,” he says. it the ideal place for our hospitality management The 12,000-square-foot campus will be housed on programs as Asian tourism increases dramatically the 10th and 11th floors of the National Library of over the next 10 to 20 years,” he says. Singapore, a prestigious building comparable to the Economic Development Board executives agree. U.S. Library of Congress. The campus will offer a “With the expected boom in the tourism sector, bachelor’s degree program in hotel administration and there will be an increase in tourism employment hospitality management. UNLV Singapore is offering opportunities,” says Kenneth Tan, director of services the college’s upper-division courses, which will include for the EDB. “The courses offered by UNLV will add to hotel administration, hospitality marketing, food & the options available for students who wish to join the beverage management, and hotel law. Students may tourism industry and prepare them for this dynamic also earn an executive master’s degree in hospitality. and rewarding industry. UNLV’s campus here is an There will also be a variety of overseas internship excellent and timely addition to Singapore’s Global programs, including some based in Las Vegas. Around Schoolhouse.” Cornell University, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are a few of the other institutions organizing programs in Singapore. The Singapore campus is just the beginning for international ventures for UNLV. Dean Mann says the college is working toward future projects in Mexico, India, China, South Korea, and the Philippines. Construction of UNLV Singapore is set to be completed in May. A grand-opening celebration is scheduled for August 2006. For more information about enrollment, visit www.unlv.edu.sg.

Rendering of UNLV Singapore reception area. 23 PREM IER • SPRING 2006

EXECUTIVE ONLINE MASTER OF HOSPITALITY ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM A Solution for Those With Demanding Positions by Gael Hancock

Deidre Ross, director, conference sessions with a required course and of busy hospitality executives by services, American Library one or more electives offered in giving them control of their own Association, is flying in for the each. A student may take as many course schedules,” says Pearl 2006 spring graduation ceremony or as few classes in each session, Brewer, Ph.D., director of graduate from Wilmette, Ill. Billy Hiers, as work or family commitments studies. “We have students who vice president of both food and dictate. The 30-credit program is have put their studies on hold beverage operations and slot player designed so that it can be completed through job changes or crunch development, Tropicana Hotel, in one year, but three years seems times at work, only to return is also attending the graduation to be the standard. several years later to complete ceremony. His drive is just across “Our goal is to meet the needs their degrees. The program has town, but it will be one of the few times in recent years that he’s been on campus. Brian Shedd, A TRUE COHORT vice president of client services, It was August 2003, and a group asked and answered questions. Targetbase, will be joining the of employees of the various These students were truly dedi- group from Texas — he was one business entities of the Cherokee cated, pursuing their educational of the first students to join the Nation were preparing for their goals despite impending torna- program. first master’s class at UNLV. does (where they watched the And what is the program, you Gathered in two locations in screen while crouched under the might ask? These are just a few of Oklahoma — Tahlequah and table), electrical failures, and oc- the 18 students who will graduate Catoosa — they were eager to casionally sketchy reception. Sev- this May from the executive meet their professor and the other eral of the students already had online Master of Hospitality students. At the appointed time, their MBAs, but the importance of Administration (MHA) program. the professor appeared on the hospitality-related instruction, in The program was started in 2001 television screen at the end of the light of the nation’s new casinos with the original intent that cohorts room and class began. and hotels, drew them to the pro- of students would move through the Eight of these students will gram. program together — connecting and be graduating in May. Members This educational program for networking. Students still connect of a true cohort, these students the Cherokee Nation was the and network, but the program has participated in a hybrid offering brainchild of Doyle Paden, a morphed into something much of the Master of Hospitality business executive who came more vibrant and flexible. Administration program that out of retirement to serve as Unlike many executive graduate included compressed video and the manager of education and programs where students meet in online instruction. Students at development for Cherokee person with instructors on a regular UNLV could see the students in Nation Enterprises. The nation basis over a specific period of time, Oklahoma on television screens pays for the tuition and books the MHA gives students almost in the classroom, and professors of these students and covers unlimited options. During a year, deftly juggled the jobs of teaching other expenses, including travel there are five eight-week online and directing the “video” as to Las Vegas for the upcoming students in the three locations graduation ceremony.

24 PREM IER • SPRING 2006

seen growing success because it is offered totally online and doesn’t require the initial time and money commitments of other executive Online Executive programs.” This summer, two on-site Program classes will be offered in Denver to highlight the new event Master of management concentration. Hospitality These courses will be offered in Administration conjunction with Event Solution’s “Idea Factory.” Other program Concentrations concentrations include hospitality and gaming. in Hospitality, “The beauty of this program Event Management is its incredible versatility,” says and Gaming alumna Kathy Nelson ’94, ’96 MS, ’04 Ph.D., director of the MHA program. “This summer, we will be offering a hybrid program that will include online coursework and face-to-face instruction in Denver. William F. Harrah College It is our goal to take advantage of You have of Hotel Administration Graduate Studies Office partnerships with trade associations 4505 Maryland Parkway and publications, developing unique Box 456017 what it Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-6017 ways to offer classes and meet the Ph: 702.895.5430 changing needs of our students.” Fax: 702.895.2713 Most people in the hospitality takes! [email protected] Hotel.UNLV.Edu industry work long hours and often travel on business. An example is graduating student Michiel Bakker, corporate director of food and beverage, new builds, and transitions for Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. He says he was attracted to the MHA because of Vegas, but when you take into never have been able to complete the “reputation of the program and consideration the demands of the my master’s if I had had to leave the fact that you can do everything hospitality industry, it makes good work and go to class on campus.” online — a must for me with my sense. Or, in the words of another travel.” Hiers found the importance graduating student, Nick Thomas, Bakker is not alone. A short of “being able to complete the senior training coordinator, human survey of the graduating students program without attending a class resources, Wynn Las Vegas, “The indicated that most of the eight to on campus. In my early years, fact that I never needed to change 10 hours a week of homework was I attempted to go to classes but my work schedule for school was an done either early mornings or late soon found out that work was the amazing benefit.” at night in hotel rooms or at work number-one priority. Consequently, For more information, please during breaks and lunch. I dropped classes I was taking in contact the MHA office at At first, it may seem surprising the ’80s and never even pursued my (702) 895-5430. that a number of the students in four-year degree until 1995. Based the program live and work in Las on my job responsibilities, I would 25 PREM IER • SPRING 2006

UNLV ALUMNUS COOKS UP BIG SUCCESS

AS ‘NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR’ by Karen Sharp A culinary star is born. Guy The finalists also participated in exciting, I want to know it, feel it Fieri, a 1990 graduate of the a showdown on the CBS Early and cook it!” hotel college, has been named Show, where they performed a Fieri also stays close to his “Next Food Network Star.” In demonstration with host Julie UNLV roots, according to the April, Fieri beat out seven other Chen. hotel college’s Director of Alumni culinary hopefuls competing Fieri currently owns a Affairs, Judy Nagai. “He sent an on the Food Network’s contest. restaurant called Johnny Garlic’s e-mail message and told me that For several weeks, Fieri and the California Pasta Grill in Santa he’s a huge fan of his alma mater other contestants heated things Rosa, California. In answering the and wears his UNLV colors all the up on national television, as they question of why he deserved to be time,” Nagai said. worked to improve their culinary the next Food Network Star, Fieri The future certainly looks skills in hopes of landing their wrote on the network’s website, “I bright for this UNLV alumnus. own show on the Food Network. have cooked with some of the best Fieri will host a cooking series for They performed intense cooking and crashed and burned with the the Food Network. The six-episode demonstrations in front of some of rest. Food is a journey and I am a series will begin airing on June the elite in the industry, including well-suited tour guide. From BBQ 25. For more on Fieri’s big win, log Emeril Lagasse and Bobby Flay. to sushi, if it is fun, unique and onto www.foodnetwork.com.

STUDENTS SHARE EXCITEMENT

AT CAMP BRISTLECONE by Cynny Carruthers During the summer of 2005, for adults was only one of the before serving at the camp as full- students from the Leisure eliminated programs, but after time counselors for a week. They Studies Program were invited to hearing how important these learned leadership techniques, collaborate on a unique project camps were to the participants, activities, and environmental with Clark County Parks and Clark County P&CS recreation adaptations to create a successful Community Services (CCP&CS). manager Jane Pike felt something experience for the campers. The project, Camp Bristlecone, needed to be done to remedy the The camp was recently awarded a summer camp for adults with situation. She sought help from the a Nevada Recreation and Park disabilities, was held in August at Leisure Studies Program as well Society Program Excellence Camp Lee Canyon in the Spring as the City of Las Vegas Adaptive Award. The program will be Mountain Range. Recreation Program, and Camp offered again this spring/summer. These popular outdoor Bristlecone was born. If you are interested in learning experiences were first started by A Leisure Studies graduate more about Camp Bristlecone, CCP&CS in 1979 and continued student worked with the CCP&CS contact Associate Professor Cynny until last year due to budgetary staff to help develop the camp Carruthers at (702) 895-4192. restraints and department program. Students received 15 realignments. The adaptive camp hours of training as counselors

26 PREM IER • SPRING 2006

VEGAS TO VINEYARDS continued from page 22

before attending UNLV. While a student in the Harrah Hotel College, Voss was endowed with the Kobrand Award, a national honor that is bestowed among the top six hospitality hopefuls. After graduation, he worked harvests in California and France and completed an apprenticeship at the famous restaurant Le Jardin des Sens. Voss was lured back to Las Vegas when he was offered the opportunity to be a consultant for the opening of the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas. He developed and implemented the wine program from the ground up before joining the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. Today at the Rio, he oversees the direction of a $15 million wine program and recently has had the opportunity to aid in the direction of Paris Las Vegas and Bally’s Wine and Spirits program. What does Voss see in the future? Bryan Page ’96 is the winemaker and owner of Page Wine “Efficiency and consolidation are the buzz Cellars in Napa Valley, Calif. for the wine industry business trends in Las Vegas,” he says. “MGM’s recent purchase of “My UNLV degree has provided me the Mandalay and Harrah’s acquisition of Caesars has opportunity to have an edge over my competition,” he forced these companies to think globally when it continues. comes to food and beverage. These business trends include the development of property and citywide wine and spirit “UNLV embraces outside-the-box committees — a thinking, defines and educates on how group managing decisions to create profitability, and provides for multiple properties such numerous opportunities for students as ‘smart’ bulk to build upon their leadership skills buying, inventory consolidation, — three important ingredients needed and directing to successfully work in the food and training programs for thousands of beverage industry. employees.” Voss says he “One of the biggest things I took away from UNLV knows he would was the importance of building your own network not be where he of friends,” he says. “The advice I provide to most Lance ’82 and Claire ’82 is today without students entering this field of work is create and Silver are the winemakers and his degree from continue to build on your network of friends — you owners of Tobin James Cellars the Harrah Hotel never know when you may need a great employee, in Paso Robles, Calif. College. and you never know when you may need a new job!”

27 PAULOS continued from page 5 executive responsible for design, construction, and opening of all Circus properties, including Colorado Belle, Excalibur, and Luxor, until he left with the title of senior vice president in 1994. During the 1980s and 1990s, Paulos contributed significantly to the success of Circus Circus’ outstanding financial performance. He received recognition for his contributions by being named the 1992 Casino Industry Executive for the Year by the International Gaming Business Executives. In 1994, Crown Casino Limited recruited him as chief operating officer in charge of building and opening the only full-scale casino in Melbourne, Australia. Paulos structured the property as both a local casino and a premium property, catering to the Asian high-roller market. He enabled the property to compete with Las Vegas for the coveted Asian casino market by meticulously ensuring that the amenities and services existed in the property to properly accommodate these customers. Paulos returned to Las Vegas in 1995 as the president of Primadonna Resorts, Inc. In this position, he transformed a family- run enterprise into a publicly Casino in Detroit, took over and it’s not going to be a cakewalk. traded leader in casino gaming. the operations of the bankrupt Students need to know that. He also made an invaluable Resort at Summerlin Casino, and contribution to the development transformed it into the highly “One thing I’ve always liked about and opening of New York-New successful Rampart Casino. In UNLV is that it lets people know York Hotel & Casino as a key January of 2003, along with partner decisionmaker who influenced Robert Mendenhall, they opened that hospitality is a practical major design and development the Cannery Hotel Casino in North business. You have to let the issues. Las Vegas and are now in the midst students know that so they’re not In 1996, he left Primadonna of a $35 million expansion project. shell-shocked when they get out to help establish Millennium Over the years, Paulos has been a in the world,” says Paulos. “They Management Group with former frequent guest speaker at UNLV and Caesars Palace executive Bill a teacher at the Community College also need to know that entry-level Wortman. A short time later, they of Southern Nevada. “I pride myself jobs in this industry do not pay were joined by Guy Hillyer, a on the fact that I’m a very frank well, but if you stick with it and former board member of Nevada speaker. I want the students to know hone your skills, you can make a Gaming Control. They developed that this is not an easy business and managed the Greektown — you’re going to work long hours, very good living.” 28 When asked about the future before. The best part is that it will comments. “Basketball was always of the hotel college, Paulos is make the hotel college an actual good when I was at UNLV. I’ve optimistic. “I am unbelievably research institution. always been a season ticket holder, impressed with Dean Mann. He’s “The people at UNLV and I hope we can get back to the done a magnificent job of leading understand the importance of being glory days of UNLV sports.” the college to new frontiers, relevant within the industry and Paulos’ family is also fond and once INNovation Village not being just educators. This is of UNLV. “My oldest son, Joey, is complete, UNLV will be the what separates UNLV from places graduated from UNLV, and my undisputed king of the hospitality like Cornell. It’s not just about the youngest son, Michael, played education system,” says Paulos. “It books and the theory — UNLV basketball there. Now my will give our students the ability to graduates today are well educated stepdaughter, Katherine, is a see practicality in action and the and understand what the business freshman there. It’s nice that three knowledge of up-to-date things in is all about. out of my five children have chosen the industry that they can bring to “This is still a pretty young UNLV.” their jobs. school. It all goes back to what So the story comes full circle. “This industry tends to be Jerry Vallen did. He had a vision One of the members of Harrah slow to change, and as an elder and needs to be constantly Hotel College’s first graduating statesman, I know it’s not as honored. He’s a wonderful fellow class is now one of its biggest technologically advanced as it who understood what he had at his supporters. “UNLV is going in should be. We’re afraid of cutting- availability in Las Vegas and what the right direction,” Paulos says. edge because we don’t know it, but the college could be.” “I’m fortunate to be on the UNLV students at UNLV are going to see In addition to being a strong Foundation Board of Trustees and it live. They will see comparisons supporter of the Harrah Hotel the hotel college’s advisory board. and will be able to say, ‘You can College, Paulos is also supportive I am happy to get a chance to help do this now,’ which will benefit of UNLV athletics. “Football was the university go forward and really organizations more than ever just starting as I was leaving,” he be the center of our community.”

MAKE PLANS NOW TO ATTEND THIS SU MMER’S International Hospitality & Convention Summit at UNLV WHAT: 2006 Las Vegas International Hospitality & Convention Summit WHERE: UNLV campus, Stan Fulton Building, Las Vegas, Nev. WHEN: June 4-6, 2006 WHY: This is an affordable conference featuring the presentation of academic research and briefings from top industry professionals

Experience breakout industry sessions, keynote speakers, panels of experts, exhibits, tours, and demonstrations. Certified Hospitality Educator training by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association will be offered June 2-5, 2006

For additional information on the Las Vegas Hospitality & Convention Summit, visit http://lvsummit.com

29 PREM IER • SPRING 2006 Congratulations CongratulationsCongratulations to Associate Professor Andy Harrah Hotel College student Andrew Alumni Updates Seyhmus Baloglu, who Feinstein ’91, ’95 MS and Ahn received a Roy B. Evans Scholarship, has been promoted to full Professor John Stefanelli a $5,000 tuition-based award granted professor. He currently published Purchasing for to five outstanding PCMA (Professional serves as associate dean Chefs: A Concise Guide, Convention Management Association) for academic research. 1st Ed. New York: John student members. As a part of the Wiley. scholarship, Ahn will have the opportunity Seyhmus to work with PCMA staff to write an Baloglu industry-related article for a PCMA publication. At the EuroCHRIE Director of Professional conference held in The thesis of Zhou Wang Golf Management Program November, two of the ’04 MS was awarded and Assistant Professor- four papers that were best student paper at the in-Residence Christopher submitted by Harrah EuroCHRIE conference Cain, MS, PGA was Hotel College faculty held in November. His recently elected to serve were finalists for the best thesis, titled Factors as the PGA Southwest paper award. One paper Section’s secretary. In this Clark Kincaid Impacting U.S. Travellers’ Christopher was authored by Clark position, he is permitted Domestic Airline Selection: Cain Kincaid ’99 MS, ’03 Ph.D. and Seyhmus Billy Bai to serve on the Southern A Post-9/11 Perspective for Baloglu, titled The Impact of Self-service Nevada Golf Association Board as a liaison Change, was co-authored by professors Technology on Restaurant Operations: to the Las Vegas Chapter. In 2007, he will Billy Bai and Audrey McCool. A case study of etab International. The begin serving the chapter as vice president, second paper was written by Billy Bai, with his presidency starting in 2009. Eunha Myung ’96, ’98 MBA, ’05 Ph.D., On April 6, 2006, the and Audrey McCool, titled Slow Food Harrah Hotel College Moving Fast: An Inevitable Change in the hosted its annual Tourism and Foodservice Industry. scholarship luncheon, featuring keynote speaker A Las Vegas homeless Valerie A. Murzl, vice shelter has thousands president of human of dollars to work with resources, Station Casinos, Pearl Brewer this year, thanks to Inc. Recognized were Michael Tony Lucas Karl Mayer students and faculty in the following faculty Dalbor the Food and Beverage and graduate students to Management Department receive college awards: Congratulations to Michael at UNLV. In November, Andy Pearl Brewer, Ace Denken Dalbor, Christian Hardigree they put together the Feinstein Research Award; Michael ’93, Tony Lucas ’92 MBA, annual Friends of Nevada Dalbor, Boyd Award for ’00 Ph.D., and Karl Mayer dinner, a fundraiser Research; Skip Swerdlow, ’99 Ph.D. on the occasion of for the Poverello House Boyd Award for Service; Skip Swerdlow their promotions to associate Homeless Shelter. Seyhmus Baloglu, Boyd professor and their receipts Christian Department Chair Andy Award for Teaching; of tenure. Hardigree Feinstein ’91, ’95 MS, and Zheng Gu, Claudine Chef Jean Hertzman, Williams Distinguished Associate Professor Andy and the students of the Chair Award. Graduate Feinstein ’91, ’95 MS and capstone class have Jean students received the Professor John Stefanelli helped raise money for Hertzman following awards: Erin recently published the Poverello House Kneesel, Best Thesis; Purchasing: Selection Zheng Gu for the past four years. Students receive Ming-chih Tsai, Best and Procurement for the real-world experience by organizing and Dissertation; and Sara K. Bruno, Best Hospitality Industry, carrying out a charity event, and the Professional Paper. 6th Ed. New York: money goes to people in the community

John Wiley. Feinstein and Stefanelli, in who really need it. addition to Barry McCool ’99, ’03 M.Ed., also published Instructor’s Manual to Accompany “Purchasing: Selection and Procurement for the Hospitality Industry, 6th Ed.” New York: John Wiley.

30 PREM IER • SPRING 2006 Alumni Updates AlumniFelicia Wu ’88 lives in Updates 1970s California and invites old Kudos to Jayne Garrett ’79 on 1970sSteve Hockett ’79 was recently friends to contact her via e- the release of her second book, elected president of the Club mail at [email protected]. Managers Association of Adventures in Lighthearted Southern California for the Paula Eylar ’89, ’97 MBA is the Living: A Baby Boomer’s second time. The association vice president of internal audit Reflections on Getting Older. was formed in 1927, and he is for Boyd Gaming Corporation, only the second club general which owns and manages Garrett’s first book, Adventures manager to serve as president 19 gaming entertainment in Menopause: A Lighthearted for the second time. Hockett properties in Nevada, New Guide to Surviving the has been the general manager Jersey, Indiana, Illinois, Menomonsters™ was published of the Oakmont Country Club Mississippi, and Louisiana. in Glendale, Calif., for 21 years. She has two boys: Ryan, 12, in 2003. In addition to being an and Aaron, 11. They live in author, Garrett is an executive Las Vegas with her boyfriend, coach, meeting facilitator, Mark, and his two daughters, 1980s speaker, and lyricist. Learn 1980sMichael Hazard ’86 is living in Danielle and Jane. upstate New York with a great more about her work at job as a chef in an 1800s artists Janet Foley ’89 is a furniture, www.jaynegarrett.com. colony. fixture, and equipment purchasing manager for the Gary Rehaut ’86 is the director Procaccianti Group, based in of food and beverage at the Cranston, R.I. In this position, Patrick M. Brophy ’94 is the Outpost, both in Miami Beach, Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. she coordinates purchases for executive assistant manager, Fla. Prior to that, he was a Prior to this position, he renovation projects for existing rooms division, at the Hyatt public relations manager for was the director of food and hotels and new acquisitions Regency Rochester, N.Y. He has The Venetian Resort-Hotel- beverage at the New York for the company’s major worked for Hyatt Hotels, Orient Casino in Las Vegas. Marriott at the Brooklyn hotel brands. Prior to this Express Hotels, and Ritz- Bridge, where he opened the job, she spent three months Carlton. Brophy enjoys tennis Mahika property as executive chef. volunteering in Nepal. She and is an avid Philadelphia Bartholomeusz and fellow alumna Sheema Eagles fan. He and his wife, ’96 works for Ed Conway ’88 MS is the (Kalianpur) Vohra hope to Julie, reside in Pittsford, N.Y. SriLankan general manager and owner of open a café in the Himalayan Airlines as a the Sedona Rouge Hotel and foothills. She will also partner Stephen Falk ’95 has recently public relations Casino. In 2000, he opened with Vohra and another accepted a position with executive. Greenhorn Creek Resort in associate to bring more OTO Development LLC and Angels Camp, Calif. He and American tourists to India relocated to Orange County, Edward R. Gardner ’96 has his wife, Julia, have two boys: through a tour operation called Calif., to open and manage the been working at the Washington Alex, 5, and Steven, 11. They Connexions. new Hampton Inn in Cypress. Mutual Home Loan Center live in Sedona, Ariz. He will soon be looking for in San Mateo, Calif., since qualified UNLV hotel grads to October 2001. He married his Sandy Esterbrooks Hanshaw 1990s join him in the operation and wife, Saynur, in 2002, and they ’88 is a national sales manager 1990sPaige Michaelis ’93 currently delivery of award-winning guest welcomed a daughter, Shirin, at the Omni San Diego Hotel. lives in the Tampa, Fla., area service. Feel free to contact Jan. 4, 2006. He can be reached She was awarded Group Sales and works in real estate him directly at (714) 527-2900 via e-mail at eddie.gardner@ Executive of the Year for Omni development. She and her or www.losangelescypress. wamu.net and would love to Hotels due to her overall sales husband, James, have a hamptoninn.com. help anyone out with a home achievement and community daughter, Madelyn, and loan. involvement. another baby is on the way. Brad Packer ’95 is living in Honolulu and is the director Kim J. Tun ’96 is currently Dawn Nicholson ’88 is Ryan Sheltra ’93 is the general of public relations for Four the field support manager employed with the Department manager at the Bonanza Seasons Resorts Lana`i. This in the marketing research of Transportation in Oregon Casino in Reno, Nev., and is the includes Four Seasons Resort department of Sprint Nextel. and is utilizing her hotel president of the Independent Lana`i at Manele Bay and the Previously, Tun was Nextel’s and restaurant management Gaming Operators Coalition Lodge at Koele. Previously, he area marketing manager for Las education and her law of Nevada. He and his wife, served as director of public Vegas. experience and education. Kristie, have two boys: Cole, 3, relations for Noble House and Jack Ryan, 18 months. Hotels & Resorts and director of public relations for Island 31 PREM IER • SPRING 2006 Alumni Updates AlumniDong Kyu “Nathan” Kang ’99 professional golfer. He will also Updates worked at Bellagio as a pit clerk be opening his own restaurant upon graduating. Since then, in Bangalore. Because the Alumnus Szony Named the Gaming he has served as the assistant economy in India is growing Industry’s Top Performing CEO general manager at a Best so rapidly, there are a lot of Western Hotel, sales manager hotels opening. Therefore, The Sands Regent’s Chief Executive for Wyndham, and assistant many positions are available Officer Ferenc Szony ’79 was recently controller at the Holiday Inn for experienced and educated named the gaming industry’s top- Civic Center in San Francisco, personnel. Barua invites anyone performing CEO by HVS Executive Calif. He attended the San who is looking to work in India Search, the nation’s leading retained Diego Golf Academy 2004–05 to contact him via e-mail at executive search firm. Szony, who joined and is working as director [email protected]. the company as CEO and a member of operations at Sarabande of the board of directors in 1997, has Country Club in Howey-in-the- Kyo-Hyug “Ted” Koo ’01 has led the management team that has Hills, Fla. He is currently a PGA worked for two years as a “reinvented the Sands.” apprentice. restaurant developer in one Since his tenure, the company has of the biggest food service grown from a single property in downtown Reno to five Lorel Zaide ’99 was employed companies in Korea, Pulmuone. properties throughout the region, serving both tourists by the Mirage in casino He developed eight restaurants and locals. Its revenues have grown from $57.5 million for marketing until he moved to in Seoul. He is currently 1997’s fiscal year to $81.1 million for fiscal year 2005. In Chicago and opened a jazz pursuing his master’s degree in fact, the Sands Regent Company was recognized as ninth music record label under the accounting at the University of best in a list of “America’s 100 Fastest-Growing Small name Rebel Phi Records (named Texas at Arlington. Public Companies” that appeared in the July/August 2005 after UNLV and his college edition of Fortune magazine. fraternity). Zaide is featured as John Paffrath ’01 was recently The CEO award is presented each year to the gaming the artist/jazz vocalist under hired as an executive steward industry CEO who offers the best value to investors the stage name “L.Zaide.” at the new St. Regis Hotel and based on a pay-for-performance model designed by HVS His debut release has been Residences in San Francisco, Executive Search President Keith Kefgen. The model receiving great reviews and has Calif. He previously worked as compares CEO compensation with such indicators as stock achieved airplay in more than a food and beverage manager at appreciation; company growth; and increases in earnings 60 major cities in the United various Hyatt hotels during the before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization States, Europe, and Australia, past four years. (EBITDA) to determine the top-performing CEO. including UNLV’s own KNUV. It can be found online at Antonio Auricchio ’02 http://www.lzaide.com. food and beverage buyer. She Frederic Sutter ’03 is pursuing recently transferred from the also helped open the Renaissance an MBA at the University of Renaissance Westchester as Las Vegas Hotel. Her special Colorado-Boulder, with a focus housekeeping supervisor to thanks go to her family and her on sustainable development in 2000s a new position as assistant boyfriend and co-worker, Brian tourism. 2000sMarc Champagne ’00 and his housekeeping manager at the Hanlon, for support during this daughter, Jules, live in Alberta, New York Marriott Marquis. career journey. Jennifer L. (Eskin) Smith Canada. He has been with Cara ’04 MS earned her master of Operations at Kelsey’s, one of Yoojin “Jeannie” Jung ’02 Grace Herbert science in sport and leisure the corporate restaurant chains, moved back to Los Angeles, ’03 lives in service management. After since 2001. He became a general Calif., after graduating. She Albuquerque, N.M., graduation, Smith continued her manager in 2004. is now working as a general where she recently work as promotions coordinator administrator for Asiana helped open the in the marketing department Tobias Omondi ’00 currently Airlines, and she enjoys Sandia Resort & for the Thomas & Mack Center, lives in Los Angeles and is the traveling. Casino as a hotel Cox Pavilion, and Sam Boyd rooms operations manager at sales manager. In addition, she Stadium. Shortly thereafter, Grafton on Sunset. His hobbies Marina Vialtsina ’02 has will be marrying a fellow UNLV she accepted a position as include reading, traveling, recently returned to MGM graduate in September. catering sales manager for the hiking, and playing soccer. MIRAGE as a purchasing three properties. Smith enjoys manager for Mandalay Bay. Sylvia Lim ’03 recently moved traveling and dining with her Rahul Mark Barua ’01 is now While she was attending UNLV, back to Las Vegas and is a husband, Zach, also a UNLV playing professional golf in she held an internship at MGM partner with Blink Design employee as the director of India. After running two small Grand. After her internship, she Studio, an interactive media development for the University hotels, he decided to follow his worked in the finance department design firm. She consults Libraries. She also enjoys dream of becoming a of MGM as assistant buyer and with clients regarding their spending time with her family. then later as buyer and senior marketing/branding strategy.

32 UNLV Alumni Clubs GET INVOLVED. Korea Portland San Diego Area Southern California/ Won-Seok Seo ’95, ’97 MS Linda Garrett ’83 Scott Gulbransen ’95 Los Angeles STAY CONNECTED. [email protected] c-503-997-4020 w-858-525-7594 Mark Lerman ’97 [email protected] h-858-481-4871 h-323-572-0149 Alumni Volunteers Mississippi State [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Wanted! Lori Beth Susman ’86 Reno Area w-228-832-7004 Position Open San Francisco Bay Area [email protected] unlvbayareahotelalumni@ Southern Utah If you are interested in joining an Kathy Pontius ’99 Sacramento Area yahoogroups.com existing alumni club or if you would h-435-867-4763 New York City Area Jennifer Zajac Winters ’93 Tony Llanos ’97 like to start one in your area, please [email protected] contact your fellow alumni: Allison Verrino ’99 w-916-922-4700 x1316 [email protected] w-347-728-7089 h-916-419-3788 Texas/Dallas/Ft. Worth Area Chicago Area [email protected] [email protected] or Wanda Jong ’98 Position Open Stephanie Fisher ’00 [email protected] h-650-347-1313 w-773-858-6753 Oregon/Willamette Valley c-323-481-7228 Washington DC Area [email protected] Denise Phillips Beban ’95 [email protected] Megan Woodman ’94 h-541-461-2011 w-301-255-0876 Denver Area [email protected] [email protected] Cindy Pegg Jennings ’94 FOR ALL OTHER AREAS, c-303-921-6586 please contact [email protected] Judy Nagai UNLV Alumni Association 702-895-2934 [email protected] 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 Change Service Requested Permit No. 200 Las Vegas NV