Jason Saylor joined Cure 4 the Kids Foundation as manager of the “Keep It Local” philanthropic campaign. Saylor will oversee efforts encouraging Southern Nevada businesses, organizations, employees and other groups to support the state’s only pediatric cancer outpatient treatment center. Saylor is a 20-year resident of Las Vegas and previously worked in the hospitality industry.
Gov. Steve Sisolak appointed Jerrie Merritt to the Cannabis Compliance Board. Since 2004, Merritt has worked for Bank of Nevada, most recently serving as senior vice president division CRA community development manager. Merritt has served on the UNLV School of Medicine community engagement board, as a mentor for the Clark County School District and as a past chair for the Urban Chamber of Commerce.
Valley Bank of Nevada hired Julie Goe as marketing director. Goe has worked in the banking industry for more than a decade as a teller, financial services representative and in all aspects of the marketing department.
Golden Rainbow appointed John VanderPloeg and Jafeh Akpe to its board of directors, charged with furthering the organization’s commitment in providing services and assistance to those living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada. VanderPloeg is branch manager at Nevada State Bank’s West Sahara office, where he is an active member of its LGBTQ diversity group. Akpe is chief compliance officer at Nathan Adelson Hospice.
OptumCare Breast Care, part of OptumCare Cancer Care, hired breast surgeon Dr. Catherine O’Connor to help meet the growing need for health services in the Las Vegas community.
Candy Kyner joined the Sahara Las Vegas as food and beverage sales manager. She is responsible for developing and managing the group dining business segment and social catering-related opportunities in the food and beverage outlets and unique venues. Kyner has more than 22 years of experience in the catering industry, having most recently served as catering manager at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Sahara also welcomed Chef Guoming “Sam” Xin, renowned for his hand-pulled noodles and as the founder of the popular Noodle Man restaurant concept, to the resort’s culinary team. He will sit at the helm of an all-new Chinese culinary concept that will launch this year.
Howard & Howard added five attorneys to its Las Vegas office: Karson Bright, Kirill Mikhaylov, Cami Perkins, L. Christopher Rose and Christopher Warburton.
The Plaza hired Shelly Brown as part of the property’s group sales team as national sales manager. With more than 25 years of hospitality experience including 15 years in sales, Brown comes to the Plaza from Austin, Texas, where she most recently worked for the Wyndham Garden Hotel Austin as the property’s director of sales.
Attorney Nick Wooldridge and LV Criminal Defense were recognized by the legal community with several awards and accolades, including the Elite Lawyer Award, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review, Super Lawyers and Top 100 Trial Lawyers.
Desert Breeze Dental founder Dr. Paul VreNon returned to UNLV to teach and mentor dental students in the general practice residency program. Additionally, he donated his time providing complimentary dental exams and creating new custom mouth guards for the UNLV basketball players.
Bill Hornbuckle, president and chief operating officer at MGM Resorts International, was recognized as the first Corporate Work Study Program Executive of the Year by Cristo Rey St. Viator College Preparatory High School. The program partners are committed to furthering education and students’ professional development.
Foundation for Positively Kids announced its 2020 board of directors, including Shea Backus, a shareholder with Backus, Carranza & Burden and state assemblywoman; Jo Cato, CEO of Periwinkle Group; and Chris Robey, DC, a licensed chiropractic physician.