Aaron D. Ford
Senate Majority Leader, Nevada State Senate – District 11
Where were you when you received your 40 Under 40 award? My first job was Dad, but I also was working as an attorney for Snell & Wilmer.
Where are you now? My first job is still Dad, but I also serve as the majority leader of the state Senate and am working as an attorney at Eglet Prince.
What do you want to accomplish? I know what it’s like to struggle. When I was growing up, I watched my mom have to choose between keeping the lights on and paying the gas bill. My goal is to make sure all Nevadans have economic opportunities to get ahead and stay ahead. Nevada needs leaders who will look out for the little guy, and I want to be that leader.
What’s the best local spot for a lunch meeting? Nevada has some of the best restaurants in the world, but if I have to choose, I’d say La Comida. I like that the food is delicious, it’s locally owned, and the staff is always welcoming and friendly.
Who is your business hero, local or global? My wife, Berna, has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and the gumption to act on it. She has run a successful law firm for more than seven years now, and she has once again proven that she can succeed at whatever she puts her mind to. I couldn’t be more proud to be her husband.
If you ran Las Vegas, what’s the first thing you would do? I know what it’s like to not feel safe in your neighborhood, and no one should have to experience that. So I would do everything I could from the local level to ensure that families feel safe and secure in all communities throughout the city.
What the best advice you can offer? Determine your own success and don’t let setbacks stop you from pursuing your goals. This means being resilient, remaining flexible and staying armed with backup plans.
Kimiko Peterson
Kimiko Peterson
Director of Advertising/PR/Social Media at Silverton Casino Hotel
What’s been your biggest accomplishment since you were awarded? I won an award for Best Promoted Post on Facebook in the 2017 PRNews’ Social Media Awards and represented Silverton in New York City at the awards ceremony.
Has there been a lesson you’ve learned the hard way? During the recession, I was laid off and quickly realized that I needed to change my lifestyle and spending habits. I learned how to better prepare for my future, create a better work/life balance, and to be more adventurous. Now, I’m focused on paying off my house, increasing my retirement savings and planning my next big adventure.
What’s the best local spot for a lunch meeting? Cili is close to work, has a diverse menu with vegetarian options, and has a beautiful room with windows. When the weather is nice, sitting outside makes it one of the best places to dine al fresco.
Who is your business hero, local or global? Women who create positive experiences and believe in uplifting one another through their business, like Katrina Scott and Karena Dawn, the co-founders of Tone It Up. Building a multimillion-dollar business with a community of women worldwide is proof that you can love what you do and create change one person at a time.
If you ran Las Vegas, what’s the first thing you would do? I would impose a fee for using single-use plastic bags in order to reduce the use of carryout plastic bags from grocery stores and other retail outlets. By modifying consumer behavior, we could decrease the amount of plastic bag usage, relieve pressure on landfills and mitigate harmful effects on oceans, lakes and wildlife.