WC Podcast

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Season 4- Episode 29: Maria Jose Gatti Sep 09, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Maria Jose Gatti, Vice President of Philanthropy & Community Engagement - MGM Resorts International, shares her remarkable journey from Ecuador to Las Vegas. Moving to the U.S. at 14, Maria graduated from Clark High School and began her career as an executive assistant at the Culinary Training Academy, where she gained invaluable insight into the hospitality industry. With a finance degree, Maria realized that while she enjoyed working with numbers, her true passion was working with people. This led her to MGM Resorts, where she started in guest services and steadily climbed to her current leadership role.

Maria gives us a glimpse into her daily responsibilities, overseeing corporate giving, the MGM Resorts Foundation, and employee volunteer programs, all of which contribute to community involvement and partnerships. She discusses her philanthropic efforts, focusing on hunger relief, workforce development, and education. One notable initiative is the Feeding Forward program, established in 2016 with UNLV and the local government, which donates untouched convention food to the community through Three Square. Additionally, Maria highlights a partnership with CCSD that offers culinary students real-world experience in some of MGM's largest convention kitchens.

While Maria has received recognition for her contributions, she values being recognized for her impact on the community and her team. She reflects on the mentors who have guided her throughout her career and shares her involvement with organizations like Jobs for Nevada Graduates. Maria also talks about her experience taking a sabbatical through an MGM program designed for employees to reset, during which she explored temples and beaches and enjoyed new culinary experiences. In her free time, Maria loves walking her dogs, watching soccer (especially Argentine teams), and spending quality time with family and friends. She advises young adults to be patient with themselves, take risks, and always align their career choices with their values.

MGM Resorts Foundation:
The MGM Resorts Foundation

Season 4- Episode 28: Michael Crome Sep 03, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, Michael Crome, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Las Vegas Raiders, shares his inspiring journey from his modest upbringing in Columbus, Ohio, to his current role with one of the NFL's most iconic teams. Growing up in a single-parent household, Michael discusses the challenges he faced and how a chance encounter with a mentor in high school sparked his interest in accounting, ultimately shaping his career path. He details his academic journey at the University of Akron and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, which paved the way for key roles at Accenture, Caesars Entertainment, and Pinnacle Entertainment.
Outside of his demanding role as CFO, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and running. He shares his experience completing the World Marathon Challenge, a grueling event involving seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. For Michael, the mental challenge was as significant as the physical, a lesson he carried into his personal and professional life.
Michael offers valuable advice for young people, emphasizing the importance of education, curiosity, and always keeping your integrity intact. He stresses that education can be a life-changer and encourages youth to remain open to learning, formally or through life experiences. His passion for mentoring the next generation is evident as he talks about giving back and helping others find their paths.
Allegiant Stadium:
Events | Allegiant Stadium

Junior Achievement:
JA of Southern Nevada | Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada

Season 4-Episode 27: Chris Wilcox Aug 26, 2024

Show notes

This episode welcomes Chris Wilcox, partner and Las Vegas market leader at Eide Bailly LLP. Chris shares his inspiring journey from his education in Utah during the 1980s recession to his success in the Las Vegas accounting industry. Despite challenges in finding work, his persistence led him to a thriving career.
Chris discusses his passion for accounting, emphasizing the vast opportunities an accounting degree can offer, from public accounting to government roles. He also delves into his role at Eide Bailly, highlighting the firm’s wide range of services, including income tax planning, forensic accounting, and more.
A strong advocate for community involvement, Chris shares his experiences with the Boys & Girls Club and other organizations, emphasizing the importance of giving back. He also offers valuable advice for those starting their careers, stressing the significance of hard work, community involvement, and balancing professional and family life.

Season 4-Episode 26: Ani Nazaryan Aug 19, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we welcome Ani Nazaryan, the Chief People Officer for the Siegel Group and Amazing Brands. She shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Armenia to making a life and career in Las Vegas. Ani discusses how her upbringing, particularly her mother’s influence as a teacher, instilled in her a passion for education and opportunity. She pursued her degree in education in the U.S., which laid the foundation for her career in human resources.

Starting her career at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Ani gained invaluable experience in front and back-of-house operations. This experience paved the way for her current role, where she is a key figure in shaping the culture and hiring practices of the Siegel Group, showcasing her leadership and influence.

She is deeply passionate about mentoring young people, encouraging them to stay curious, humble, and authentic. Ani believes in the power of education and lifelong learning, reflecting on her own experiences, including attending music school as a child.

Outside of her professional life, Ani cherishes spending quality time with her sons, letting them explore their interests. Her advice to young people is to believe in themselves, prioritize education, and strive to be the best version of themselves.
Siegel Group:
The Siegel Group | Las Vegas Real Estate Development Company (siegelcompanies.com)

Siegel Cares:
Siegel Cares Archives - The Siegel Group - Las Vegas, NV (siegelcompanies.com)

Season 4- Episode 25: Dr. Brenda Larsen-Mitchell Aug 13, 2024

Show notes

Dr. Brenda Martin-Mitchell, interim superintendent of the Clark County School District (CCSD) and a new member of the Workforce Connections Board, shares her journey from growing up in Iowa to leading one of the nation’s largest school districts. After 30 years with CCSD, starting as a special education teacher, she’s now focused on building trust in the community and attracting top educators.

She discusses the strong partnerships between Workforce Connections and CCSD, like the Workforce Fellows program and the American Job Center. Brenda is passionate about expanding these collaborations and addressing the mental health challenges students face post-pandemic.

Outside work, she loves spending time with family and friends, reading, and cheering for local sports teams. Brenda advises young people: reputations are earned, kindness and how you treat others matter, every day is an interview, and nothing beats hard work.

Clark County School District:

Clark County School District (ccsd.net)

Season 4-Episode 24: Major General Ondra Berry Aug 07, 2024

Show notes

Major General Ondra Berry, Adjutant General for the Nevada National Guard and Vegas Chamber Trustee, joins the show to share his inspiring life story. He grew up in Evansville, Indiana, and East St. Louis, Illinois, and his experience of traveling 45 minutes to attend high school left a lasting impact on him. His grandmother was crucial in encouraging him to continue his college education.

His career path took him from becoming a teacher in Reno, Nevada, to serving as a police officer for twenty-five years, where he led community initiatives like the D.A.R.E program and joined the National Guard. Alongside his friend Michael, he co-founded a Leadership Training company that focused on diversity and training, which led them to work with employees from the New York New York Casino. Additionally, he highlights his involvement with "Purple Resolve," a program aimed at personal growth and resilience.

Ondra is passionate about leadership and shares valuable insights, emphasizing giving back. He discusses the military's evolving role and the National Guard's functions: combat, homeland security, and state partnerships.

In his personal time, Ondra enjoys visiting family, riding his Peloton, listening to music, reading, and volunteering at his church and community, with the Boys and Girls Club being a favorite. He advises young people to work on their thought processes, self-awareness, goal setting, and financial understanding and to maintain discipline and focus. He highlights the importance of self-mastery and having a supportive community.

Major General Ondra Berry, Adjutant General:
The Adjutant General (nv.gov)

Nevada National Guard:
NV Nat'l Guard Home
The Boys and Girls Club:
Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada (bgcsnv.org)

Season 4- Episode 23: Scott Black & John Entsminger Jul 30, 2024

Show notes

Special guest host Scott Black, North Las Vegas Mayor Pro Tem, talks with John Entsminger, General Manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), on the show. John grew up in Colorado and studied at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He specializes in Environmental Compliance, Water Rights, and Native American Law and has worked at SNWA for 23 years, starting as an Environmental Compliance and Water Rights Attorney.

John explains that delivering water involves a range of jobs, many of which don't require a college degree, thanks to their apprentice program. He points out the benefits of working in water utilities, especially for young people. Despite serving a population of 2.3 million, water usage has dropped. Since the severe drought in 2002, SNWA has implemented measures like banning front yard grass, offering turf rebates, setting golf course water budgets, limiting pool sizes, and reducing water use by 26% in the last four years.

He discusses AB 356, which defines non-functional turf, and highlights Nevada’s nationally recognized water-saving programs. John also shares his work on water projects, including partnerships with Mexico, and assures that the water supply is secure and supported by strong infrastructure. He stresses the importance of combining workforce and economic development with water management.

John enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, and napping in his free time.

Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA):
Jobs (snwa.com)

Season 4-Episode 22: Hector Fernandez Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

Hector Fernandez, CEO of Aristocrat Gaming and LVGEA board member, shares his inspiring journey from Guatemala to Los Angeles. His mother’s sacrifices enabled him to attend a private school, shaping his path to success.

Hector attended Claremont McKenna College and discovered his passion for business through an internship at Ernst & Young. He believes in the importance of skills, leadership, personal sacrifices, and luck. He emphasizes excelling in one skill and building a solid team.

At Aristocrat Gaming, he promotes a "people first, business second" philosophy. He discusses adapting during COVID-19, labor shortages, and workplace diversity. A Las Vegas enthusiast, he highlights the need for better education and healthcare and aligning educational programs with industry needs.

In his free time, Hector enjoys traveling with his family, sports, and learning to take more time for himself. He values money for security and advises young people to choose the right life partner for success.

Aristocrat:
https://aristocrat.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/AristocratExternalCareersSite

Season 4-Episode 21: Shannon Petersen Jul 16, 2024

Show notes

Shannon Petersen, Executive Vice President at Nevada State Bank and a board member of LVGEA, began her journey in a small Northern California town. She discovered her passion for economics and finance while studying at UC Santa Cruz. Shannon's banking career took off unexpectedly during her thesis work at the Federal Reserve Bank in San Francisco, laying the foundation for her leadership at Nevada State Bank.

In her role as Corporate Banking Manager, Shannon leads teams that provide essential financial services to large businesses across Nevada. Her focus is on loans, money management, and fraud prevention. She is dedicated to nurturing future banking leaders through educational initiatives and internal development programs.

Amid today's job market challenges, Shannon emphasizes the importance of preparing local talent from an early age and supports community sustainability efforts. She believes Nevada State Bank is crucial in shaping Southern Nevada's future by investing in the community.

Outside of work, Shannon cherishes family time, roots for local sports teams, attends concerts, and loves traveling. Her leadership is defined by passion, integrity, and mentorship. She inspires young professionals to pursue their passions and work diligently for personal and professional success.

Shannon highlights Southern Nevada's diverse opportunities beyond tourism, advocating for collaboration and celebrating community achievements while striving to enhance the region's quality of life and affordability.

Nevada State Bank:
https://www.nsbank.com/business/

Season 4- Episode 20: Vince Ciminise Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

Vince Ciminise, Senior Vice President and Commercial Loan Manager for Valley Bank of Nevada and a Vegas Chamber Board of Trustees member, joins the show to share his journey from studying accounting to a successful banking career. He highlights his role at Valley Bank, managing a team responsible for generating new business and supporting small businesses with loans and financial advice. He discusses the challenges of recruiting and retaining talent and the impact of competitive wages on staffing.

Vince emphasizes the importance of the Vegas Chamber's support for small businesses and mentions the upcoming DC Fly-In event. He advises young professionals to work hard, be reliable, and continuously learn. In his downtime, Vince walks five miles daily for mental clarity.

Bank of Nevada:
Valley Bank of Nevada (valleybanknv.com)

For Business Needs:
Business Banking Services | Valley Bank of Nevada (valleybanknv.com)

For inquiries or collaboration, Vince’s contact:
VSiminesi@valleybanknv.com

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