Vegas Inc’s inaugural C-Suite Honors spotlight the Valley’s corporate leaders

The Vegas Inc C-Suite Honors recognize top-level executives and some of the Valley’s most accomplished business leaders from public, private and nonprofit companies. These awards were developed with strong leadership in mind. We believe that great leaders lay the foundation for those around them to grow and prosper—actively serving as innovators, trailblazers and role models. They inspire and encourage their peers and act as stewards in the community.

For our inaugural C-Suite Honors, we couldn’t be more excited to showcase 12 individuals for their leadership, and the business and civic contributions they have made to their organizations and the Las Vegas community. The list represents a dynamic and diverse spectrum of industries and specialties—from finance and law, to marketing and architecture. These executive-level professionals exemplify what it means to positively influence economic success in their chosen industry and effectively inspire their teams.

The 2022 C-Suite Honors originally appeared in a special issue of Vegas Inc found inside of Las Vegas Weekly. Sign up to get each of Vegas Inc’s special publications delivered to your inbox on the day of their release.

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Paul Steelman (Christopher DeVargas / Staff)

Paul Steelman

Chief Executive Officer, Steelman Partners

steelmanpartners.com • IG @steelmanpartners

The son of a successful architect, Paul Steelman has proven over his near-45-year career that designing is in his blood. His specialty is global entertainment, hospitality and gaming architecture.

Steelman has designed buildings for the mavericks of the gaming industry, including Kirk Kerkorian, Steve Wynn, Sheldon Adelson, Derek Stevens and Stanley Ho. In 34 years of operation, Steelman Partners has designed more than 4,000 projects worldwide, including the most successful casino in the world—the Sands Macau, which is the first Las Vegas-style casino in the people’s Republic of China.

“We are designing entertainment buildings all over the world each week,” Steelman said. “Each building is designed in our Las Vegas office. It is an amazing journey creating new entertainment experiences and resorts.”

And his visionary designs continue to be felt here at home. Steelman’s work recently transformed the Las Vegas skyline not once but twice. Circa Resort & Casino opened as the first new resort in Downtown Las Vegas since 1980, and Resorts World Las Vegas opened as the first new resort on the Las Vegas Strip in over a decade.

Steelman continues to look forward to new and exciting ways to transform not only skylines but also expectations for resorts around the world. Being able to innovate for his clients is truly his passion.

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Susan Hitch (Christopher DeVargas / Staff)

Susan Hitch

Chief Financial Officer, Circa Resort & Casino Las Vegas

circalasvegas.com • IG @circalasvegas

After working as a controller at an automotive company in Detroit owned by Derek and Greg Stevens, Susan Hitch took a leap of faith and journeyed over 2,000 miles to Las Vegas to tackle an entirely new business: gaming. In 2008, she become the controller of the Stevens brothers newest venture at the time, Golden Gate Hotel & Casino—learning the gaming business from square one, at one of the smallest casinos in town.

Hitch didn’t just learn the business; she has since conquered it. She oversaw the first major financial acquisition of a downtown casino property with Fitzgerald’s Hotel & Casino, now the D Las Vegas, along with the creation of the first major entertainment venue Downtown, the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. Hitch also played an integral role in the construction and opening of Circa Resort & Casino, the first ground-up resort development in the area since 1980. Hitch now serves as the CFO of Circa, the D and Golden Gate.

Active in the community and her industry, Hitch is a member of the Vegas Chamber Executive Women's Council and the Las Vegas chapter of Financial Executives International. She is also part of the Las Vegas Masters, a swim team that competes at the national level.

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Michael Crome (Christopher DeVargas / Staff)

Michael Crome

Chief Financial Officer, Las Vegas Raiders

raiders.com • IG @raiders

Michael Crome still remembers the African-American gentleman who spoke to his high school class about his career in finance. The speaker was a volunteer through the organization Junior Achievement, and for Crome, it was the first time he saw someone who looked like him doing a job that he could aspire to achieve. This chance encounter not only set Crome’s professional path, but also his dedication to giving back.

“One of the big reasons that I volunteer and give back today is because I never know whose life I may impact by simply being present while inspiring young people to dream big,” Crome said.

Crome has held several leadership roles in his career, spanning entertainment, hospitality and sports—all of which have been anchored in his passion for finance. “I always enjoyed the precision of numbers, as well as the idea that the numbers tell the story of the business,” Crome said.

As CFO of the Raiders, Crome oversees all financial aspects of Las Vegas’ NFL team, including athlete salaries, stadium sales, merchandise and much more. He plays an instrumental role in effectively transitioning the team from its previously smaller-scale operation to the massive organization portfolio it assumed with the move.

From a humble high school student in Columbus, Ohio, to a top executive of a professional sports team, Crome is a living testament of how inspired youth can achieve great dreams.

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Steve Arcana (Christopher DeVargas / Staff)

Steve Arcana

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Golden Entertainment, Inc.

goldenent.com

As a young teen, Steve Arcana knew he wanted to be independent and successful. He took his first job as a busser and dishwasher at a country club in Philadelphia at age 14, with the goal of making his own money so he wouldn’t need to rely on his parents.

“All I wanted to do was work,” Arcana said. “I know it sounds fairly simple but that is how I got where I am—I simply outworked everyone else.”

And since he started, he hasn’t stopped. Arcana has worked in the hospitality industry for 43 years. He began his career at the Sands Casino Hotel in Atlantic City and moved to Las Vegas to join Station Casinos in 1995. He started at Golden Gaming (now Golden Entertainment) in 2003 when the company was in its infancy. Since then, he has been instrumental in taking Golden Entertainment properties from 18 taverns to 66 taverns, 10 casinos and market-leading distributed slot operations in two states.

Arcana has been involved with several charitable organizations over the years, including serving on the board of the Las Vegas Business Academy that offers graduate scholarships to deserving students. He is also a supporter of Paws for the Cause, an organization founded by his wife, Dana, that fights for homeless animals. Arcana’s proudest charitable affiliation is with the ALS Association Nevada Chapter as a board member and fundraiser chair, having lost his mother, Rita, to the disease.

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Richard Neal (Christopher DeVargas / Staff)

Richard Neal

President and Chief Executive Officer, Goodwill Industries of Southern Nevada, Inc.

goodwillvegas.org • IG @goodwillvegas

As a 25-year Air Force Security Forces veteran, Richard Neal’s life-long commitment to service has come full circle with his current role as president and CEO of Goodwill of Southern Nevada. Today, he helps the very people he used to serve alongside, assisting with transitioning military spouses into Southern Nevada’s local workforce market, and aiding veterans in reaching their full potential in the civilian workforce. Since joining the organization in the summer of 2019, Neal has helped place more than 4,600 people into careers and provided services to more than 12,000 members of the community.

“Our community is literally the ecosystem in which we and our families live,” Neal said. “It deserves our care and attention. If we fail to nurture it, we’ll be left to lament its shortcomings with only ourselves to blame.”

Neal has been an integral force in launching Goodwill’s Rising Together campaign, designed to improve access to jobs and break down barriers within the workforce. This campaign is committed to creating employment opportunities for individuals regardless of a job seeker’s race, sex, religion, sexual orientation or pedigree. The campaign also leverages Goodwill’s Career Services that help job seekers overcome the financial and systematic barriers they face when seeking employment.

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Shahn Douglas (Christopher DeVargas / Staff)

Shahn Douglas

Chief Marketing Officer, DK Las Vegas

juhllv.com • IG @shahndouglas @juhllv

Shahn Douglas is often credited as the driving influence in creating a vibrant Las Vegas condominium market. As the Chief Marketing Officer for DK Las Vegas, Douglas has served as the force behind its record sales, with 1,300 residences valued at more than $400 million sold during her tenure.

Under Douglas’ strategic marketing oversight, Juhl, the iconic loft-style condo community, broke a record with the sale of a penthouse for $1.1 million, and during the last two quarters of 2021, Juhl set sales records with 30 contracts. At One Las Vegas, the luxury twin tower condo community, DK set a record with the sale of a $1.3 million penthouse, and the entire community of 295 homes sold out.

Perhaps the secret to Douglas’ success is in her connection to the community. She works with the Downtown Vegas Alliance on its Living in the City initiatives—giving her direct insights into the happenings in the area. She also oversees the Artist in Residence program at Juhl, which selects one local artist to live and work rent-free at Juhl for a residency of up to six months.

Douglas' heart is also with Make-a-Wish Southern Nevada, where she has been a wish granter since 2010. “Getting to know the children and their parents and helping to grant their wishes is more rewarding than any career accomplishment,” Douglas said.

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Steven Peralta (Christopher DeVargas / Staff)

Steven Peralta

Foundation President, Nevada Donor Network

nvdonor.org • IG @NVDonor

Steven Peralta is a man on a mission: to raise philanthropic funds to bring life-saving transplants to Nevada. And he is leveraging his innate passion for community engagement, team organizing, fundraising, board development and capital campaign projects to make it a reality.

Right now, critically ill Nevada patients needing anything other than a kidney transplant must face the financial, physical and emotional burden of traveling to neighboring states to get the care they need, or be placed in hospice. Through the Nevada Donor Network Foundation, Peralta is working tirelessly to ensure all transplant patients can be cared for locally with expanded transplantation capabilities.

“I really enjoy talking about our mission, because it can save someone’s life,” Peralta said. “Every day I am looking to grow mentally, physically and spiritually to continue to serve our community.”

Peralta has been charged with leading Nevada Donor Network’s capital campaign with the goal of raising $35 million and creating a consortium of hospitals working together to share resources and services to establish a statewide transplant institute. The organization launched its "End the Wait" campaign in 2021 with a lead gift of $250,000 from the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation. UMC also committed a $12 million investment towards the transplant institute—getting Peralta’s work off to a great start.

Peralta currently serves on Henderson's Police Department Community Advisory Board and as a board member of UNR's School of Public Health.

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William McBeath (Courtesy)

William McBeath

President and Chief Executive Officer, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

cosmopolitanlasvegas.com • IG @cosmopolitan_lv

Having grown up in Las Vegas, William McBeath always knew he wanted to be in hospitality, specifically gaming hospitality. He has since dedicated his career to the industry—joining MGM Resorts International in 1987 and holding several key management positions since then, including serving as president and chief operating officer of three of Las Vegas’ most iconic resorts: The Mirage, Treasure Island and Bellagio.

McBeath’s proudest accomplishment is what his team has achieved at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, most recently tripling its operating performance in a market that was relatively flat during that time frame. Under McBeath’s leadership, the resort has undergone a complete redevelopment including the addition of 21 exclusive penthouses, high-end gaming amenities, a complete guest room renovation and a reinvigoration of more than 27 food and beverage concepts—an evolution garnering national attention and amassing over 570 awards. In addition to the overall resort improvements, more jobs were created, with employee count increasing 11%.

McBeath also plays an active role in the local community, serving on numerous boards including the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department as a chairman of the Fiscal Affairs Committee and chairman of Las Vegas Events. He also supports several charitable foundations including Opportunity Village, Make A Wish and Communities In Schools.

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Dulcinea Rongavilla (Christopher DeVargas / Staff)

Dulcinea Rongavilla

Executive Vice President and Shareholder/Partner, Cragin & Pike

cragin-pike.com • IG @dulcinea_vegas

The first female partner at 113-year-old Cragin & Pike, Dulcinea Rongavilla isn’t just making her mark in the insurance industry; she is shaping its future.

“I love strategizing with business owners to identify opportunities to energize their teams, reduce turnover rate, attract talent and enhance company morale,” Rongavilla said.

Throughout her career, Rongavilla has held leadership positions in which she was responsible for employee benefit programs with a focus on innovation, technology, wellness and consumer driven concepts—allowing her to directly witness the positive, long-term effects of communication, education and advocacy.

A dynamic and caring leader, Rongavilla’s biggest impact is on those she mentors, especially women. She believes that by modeling realistic goals and a flexible work schedule, she will ultimately help others achieve a more fulfilling life overall.

Rongavilla previously served as president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas—witnessing the giving and supportive nature of the community firsthand, and has carried that experience forward in her philanthropic efforts. She is a member of the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada's board development committee and Junior Achievement's "These Kids Mean Business Capital Campaign." She also serves on the board of directors for the Leadership Foundation of Greater Las Vegas, as chair of the Vegas Chamber's Executive Women's Council and as a member of UNLV's Lee Business School executive advisory board.

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Mason Van Houweling (Christopher DeVargas / Staff)

Mason Van Houweling

Chief Executive Officer, University Medical Center of Southern Nevada

umcsn.com • IG @umcsn

Inspired by Colin Powell to serve his country, Mason Van Houweling served 24 years in the United States Air Force Reserves—including a deployment to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom—and retired in 2020 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Van Houweling admired Powell’s leadership style as well, and he now draws on that inspiration as he leads a diverse team of 4,000 UMC employees, dedicated to delivering Nevada’s highest level of care.

With over two decades of health care experience, from small community hospitals to those with more than 1,000 beds, Van Houweling has a proven track record of balancing the financial performance of a hospital while providing uncompromised patient care. As CEO of UMC, Van Houweling transformed the once-struggling public hospital into the centerpiece of Nevada’s COVID-19 response, leading the state’s COVID-19 testing efforts while delivering the highly specialized care needed to save and improve lives amid the unprecedented public health crisis. UMC’s COVID-19 Laboratory has processed more than 1.1 million tests, far outpacing any other testing provider in Nevada. Van Houweling also led UMC to become the first and only hospital in Nevada to offer public COVID-19 vaccination services, administering nearly 70,000 vaccine doses to community members in Southern Nevada.

“While we have certainly grown from our humble beginnings as a one-room hospital serving workers from the Hoover Dam in the early 1930s, UMC has never lost sight of our mission to care for our community,” Van Houweling said.

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Mandy Shavinsky (Christopher DeVargas / Staff)

Mandy Shavinsky

Managing Partner, Snell & Wilmer

swlaw.com

For Mandy Shavinsky, it was the perfect combination of luck and timing that led her to a career in real estate law after landing in the real estate department at her first firm when an associate left. She quickly found a natural fit and an appreciation of working with something tangible: land and buildings. Now, 21 years later, she loves the excitement of seeing buildings and other developments form Las Vegas’ landscape—knowing she had a small part in shaping the skyline of her hometown.

Since 2000, Shavinsky has been involved in nearly every mixed-use and high-rise condominium in town, as counsel to the developer or the project lender. She has advised national, regional and local homebuilders and developers in connection with mixed-use projects and high-rise resort, condominium and condominium hotel developments. When a client’s business and legal issues intersect, Shavinsky is routinely sought out for high-stakes developments, complex transactional matters and multi-million-dollar real estate deals.

Shavinsky is a former vice president and member of the board of trustees of the CASA Foundation (Court Appointed Special Advocates), which supports the unmet needs of foster children, as well as the CASA volunteers who provide pro bono service to children in the legal system. She is also a member of Snell & Wilmer’s Executive Committee and the Women’s Initiative Committee.

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Billy Vassiliadis (Christopher DeVargas / Staff)

Billy Vassiliadis

Chief Executive Officer, R&R Partners

rrpartners.com • IG @rrpartners

Billy Vassiliadis loves two things: competition and variety. It’s no surprise that he found his calling in marketing and advertising. Always full of energy and never lacking fresh ideas, Vassiliadis has created a legacy of some of the most iconic and impactful campaigns seen in his 40-year career.

Most notable is Vassiliadis’ passion for promoting and protecting Las Vegas as the ultimate destination for business and leisure travel—always responding to the latest cultural trends to reinvent its global appeal, while also carefully maneuvering through times of crisis. While the obvious celebration is in the success of the world’s most recognized and awarded tourism campaign, “What Happens Here, Stays Here,” Vassiliadis was also a force behind the crisis management response following 9/11, the October 1 shooting and the COVID-19 pandemic. Always acutely aware that the success of Southern Nevada’s economy is intrinsically tied to the viability of the tourism industry, Vassiliadis has remained steadfast in his efforts to ensure that Las Vegas doesn’t simply weather the storm, but rises above, stronger than ever.

With community a core part of Vassiliadis’ personal value system, the employee-driven R&R Foundation supports several local organizations such as Catholic Charities, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and Opportunity Village—donating more than $2 million in in-kind services last year. The work he creates here might be seen everywhere, but there is nowhere else in the world where it is felt more.

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