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All programming and prices are subject to change. Programming may vary by location. Services not available in all areas. Other restrictions may apply. Telephone services are provided by Cox Nevada Telcom, LLC. ©2011 CoxCom, Inc., d/b/a Cox Communications Las Vegas, Inc. All rights reserved. 2 March 2011 www.NevadaBusiness.com 70% of alumni live and work in Nevada. Nevada State College graduates get four-year degrees that make them an essential, educated workforce. The majority of our alumni stay here, getting careers in nursing, education, business, biology and public safety. One in five go on to earn advanced degrees. They do the kind of work that helps Nevada diversify its business base. Which, in the end, makes us all smarter. Part of the solution. 1125 Nevada State Drive, Henderson, Nevada 89002 | 702.992.2000 | nsc.nevada.edu 2 March 2011 Commentary Volume 26 • No. 5 Saluting Family-Owned Businesses A division of Business Link, LLC Helping Those that Help Themselves Publisher Lyle E. Brennan • [email protected] Publisher / CEO Connie Brennan • [email protected] This issue of Nevada Business Magazine recognizes a group of remarkable Managing Editor home grown companies and the families that have made them successful. Tarah Figueroa • [email protected] Unlike large corporations or governments, these businesses operate without Editorial Assistant a safety net. Their success is based on long hours, hard work and determina- Miriam Avila • [email protected] tion. As they strive to create a legacy for future generations, family-owned Art Director businesses form the backbone of Nevada’s economy. Chris Tucker • [email protected] Family businesses account for about 50 percent of the nation’s gross do- Administrative Assistant mestic product and create more than 70 percent of all new jobs. Instead of Renee Bennett • [email protected] waiting for someone to give them a job, these families create their own jobs, Research / Ranking Nevada and in doing so, also provide employment for other people. The multiplier ef- [email protected] fect of the dollars they bring in makes a big difference in local communities. Web Editor / Circulation While other small business owners recognize the obstacles these compa- Aleina Richardson • [email protected] nies face, I’m not sure our government and elected officials appreciate the Online Marketing Director contributions made by small business owners. There continues to be a lack of Harry Benson • [email protected] understanding between our public and private sectors, and instead of helping Contributing Writers small businesses succeed, government often puts roadblocks in their path. Max Aceituno • Adam Candee • Brian Lim One of the largest expenses for any company is payroll. Private firms Andy Matthews • L. Christopher Rose • Jessica Santina struggle to compete with government, which can offer salaries that are higher Ramesh Srinivasan • Jeanne Lauf Wapole than the market rate, as well as benefits that private companies can’t afford. Advertising / Sales According to the Nevada Department of Training and Rehabilitation, in Joy Crossman • [email protected] Candice Mathon • [email protected] 2009 the average annual salary for a private-sector employee in Nevada was $41,125, while the average government worker earned $53,224. And public Subscriptions [email protected] employers can offer benefits that include not only health insurance, sick leave and paid holidays, but also a retirement program that private employers can Reprints For more info call (800) 259-0470 only dream about. Besides making it difficult to hire the best workers, in many cases the government actually competes with the private sector on an Northern Nevada Advisory Board Chuck Alvey • EDAWN uneven playing field. Krys T. Bart • Reno Tahoe Airport Authority In every legislative session, as soon as budget talks begin, the first thing on Tom Clark • Holland & Hart, LLP the table is business taxation. This session is no exception. And while we all Valerie Glenn • The Glenn Group Rick Gray • Fallon Convention and Tourism Authority understand the budget has to be balanced, to raise taxes for small businesses David LaPlante • One to One Interactive is not the answer. There are hundreds of small businesses across Nevada that Corporate Office are still on the verge of closing shop. To impose additional taxes on these 375 N. Stephanie St., Suite 2311 • Henderson, NV 89014 companies will push many over the edge and force them to shut down their P (702) 735-7003 • F (702) 733-5953 businesses. And, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to connect the dots as to Reno: P (775) 583-8113 what this will do to our unemployment rate. Web Site: www.nevadabusiness.com Since imposing new taxes is unpopular with the electorate, they are often disguised as “fees” or “assessments”. But, regardless of what they’re called, the impact is always the same and the bottom line is that businesses end up paying more. I encourage our lawmakers to oppose measures designed to Nevada Business Journal, Nevada Business Magazine and Nevada Business are divisions of Business Link, LLC. 375 N. Stephanie St.,Bldg. 23, Suite 2311, Henderson, NV 89014. It is listed in Standard Rates and Data, #20A-Business-Metro, State and Regional. TopRank over-tax, over-regulate and over-burden our small businesses. And, I invite Nevada – Annual Statewide Book of Lists is a publication of Nevada Business Magazine. all Nevadans to join us in honoring family owned businesses throughout the Advertisers should contact Sales at (702) 735-7003, or write to: Nevada Business Magazine, 375 N. Stephanie St., Bldg. 23, Suite 2311, Henderson, NV 89014. Demographic information state. Let’s do our part to support them whenever we can. available upon request. Month-to-month circulation may vary. Nevada Business Magazine is published monthly. Subscription rate is $44.00 per year. Spe- cial order single-copy price is $7.50. All contents ©2010 copyright, and reproduction of material appearing in Nevada Business Magazine and TopRank Nevada – Annual Statewide Book of Lists is prohibited unless so Lyle E. Brennan authorized by the publisher. Publisher reserves the right to refuse service to any agency, indi- vidual, business, company or organization. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Nevada Business Magazine, Publisher 375 N. Stephanie St., Bldg. 23, Suite 2311, Henderson, NV 89014. Subscribers please include previous address or mailing label. Allow six weeks. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS: Address all submissions to the attention of Tarah Figueroa. Unso- licited manuscripts must be accompanied by a SASE. Nevada Business Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. COMMENTS DISCLAIMER: Editorial views expressed in this magazine, as well as those appearing in area focus and industry focus supplements are not necessarily those of the publisher or [email protected] its boards. 4 April 2011 www.NevadaBusiness.com Re: Reinvent Supporting Role From: Dream To: Reality The Smith Center for the Performing Arts’ dream of taking center stage of Las Vegas’ cultural scene is coming true thanks in part to a $500,000 commitment by Lewis and Roca. As this organization’s inaugural corporate sponsor, Lewis and Roca is proud to take the lead in presenting the world of performing arts to Southern Nevada through a variety of inspiring programs. LAS VEGAS RENO PHOENIX TUCSON ALBUQUERQUE SILICON VALLEy LRLAW.COM 4 April 2011 Contents COVER STORY Education Outlook Slashed Budgets & Failing Grades 8 By Jessica Santina On Cover: Dwight Jones, Clark County School District Photo by: Levi Ellyson, Opulence Studios SPECIAL REPORT Family Owned Businesses 4 Commentary • Lyle Brennan 22 Around The State 23 Tech.knowledge.me • Brian Lim & Max Aceituno TravelCom Conference 2011 FEATURES 41 Face to Face • Ramesh Srinivasan 12 Heart & Soul • Jeanne Lauf Walpole 42 Power of Attorney • L. Christopher Rose Nevada’s Downtowns Understanding the Law Regarding Non-Compete Agreements 17 Industry Focus: Transportation 43 Free Market Watch • Andy Matthews • Adam Candee A Model of Failure 44 Building Nevada: Architects Waiting for the Bounce 60 Commercial RE Report 61 Business Indicators 56 ReD Report Tracking Nevada’s Deals 62 The Last Word DEPARTMENTS What’s the worst job you’ve ever had? 6 May 2011 www.NevadaBusiness.com Your In..