Bryan Kroten
Vice President of Marketing — Maverick Aviation Group
Where were you when you received your 40 Under 40 award? I was at a great place in my career and life and, fortunately, I am still in a similar situation. Every day is a new and challenging but rewarding day for me.
Where are you now? I am still in the same position, but our company and my role have grown significantly. Maverick Helicopters successfully expanded to Maui three years ago and will open on Kauai this year. After my presidency at Las Vegas Hospitality Association, I have continued my involvement within the association and look forward to an exciting announcement this year with the formation of the LVHA Foundation.
Anything you learned the hard way? Failure is a part of making yourself better. I have been told I am an “out of the box” thinker, and I consider that one of the greatest compliments. Every day, I evaluate something that could have been done better or differently, and try to personally and professionally grow from my experience.
If you ran Las Vegas, what’s the first thing you would do? We need to find new ways to get both new and past visitors to Las Vegas. We need to attract more international guests and keep evolving the destination. I love the current movement of making Las Vegas a top sports destination. Vegas shines when large events are taking place, including CES, EDC and March Madness. My dream would be for Las Vegas to be an Olympic host city in the future.
What’s the best advice you have to offer? A long time ago, a person said a simple message to me that will stick with me for the rest of my life: “Under-promise, over-deliver.” When you go above and beyond, people are rarely disappointed.
Maria Marinch
Maria Marinch
Executive Director of Inclusive Learning and Engagement at the College of Southern Nevada — Vitral Multicultural Principal
Where were you when you received your 40 under 40 award? I had just left Brown & Partners to go full time into my business. I was honored to receive this recognition as a small-business owner.
Where are you now? I am at the College of Southern Nevada working on diversity and community initiatives. I also continue to run my business under a new name, Vitral, providing diversity and multicultural communications consulting and language services.
What’s been your biggest accomplishment since you were awarded? Every accomplishment is big at the moment you reach your goal. I celebrate every time I am able to work with others to make a difference. Serving students at CSN and being able to collaborate with business partners who have been clients for 20 years or more is always rewarding.
What do you want to accomplish? Happiness and a meaningful life, as we all do. Professionally, I would like to continue finding new ways to make a positive impact through my work.
Anything you learned the hard way? Not everyone shares your values. It is okay to be selective and walk away from clients, situations and work that does not align with who you are and what you stand for.
What’s the best advice you have to offer? Do what you love and seek meaning in your work. Treat others with respect, thinking of how your actions impact those around you, and the rewards will follow.