Governor-elect Jim Gibbons rounds out his transition team with two working groups that will look into the economic backbone of Nevada—the Business and Industry group and the Tourism and Gaming group.

“I look forward to working with these talented and experienced business leaders,” said Governor-elect Gibbons.  “The people on these working groups know business from a variety of perspectives—north and south, small and large.  They will help me assure that Nevada remains business-friendly and that our economy remains vibrant over the years ahead.”

The chair of the Business and Industry group, Kara Kelley, is President and CEO of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, the third largest metropolitan chamber in the United States.  She sits on the board of directors of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and is Chairman-elect of the Western Association of Chamber Executives.

The Business and Industry working group includes:

• Kara Kelley –Chair—President and CEO, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce
• Francis Allen—Assemblywoman (R-District 4)
• John Bailey—Managing Partner, Bailey Merrill, LLP
• Bob Barengo—Former Speaker of the Nevada Assembly
• Bill Brady—CEO, Bill Brady Industries, Inc.
• Joe Brown—President, Jones Vargas
• Chad Christensen—Assemblyman (R-District 13)
• Kirk Clausen—Regional President, Wells Fargo
• Chris Cole—Vice President, The Rogich Communications Group
• Cindy Creighton—Executive Director, Nevada Subcontractors Association
• Leo Davenport—CRMS, GFD Investments
• Sam Facchini—Co-owner, Metro Pizza
• Alan Glover—Carson City Clerk-Recorder
• Terry Graves—President, The Graves Company
• Warren Hardy—State Senator (R-Clark District 12)
• Paul Hartgen--President & CEO, Nevada Restaurant Association
• Mark James—CEO, Frias Holding Company
• Brian Krolicki—Lieutenant Governor-elect
• Karlos R. LaSane II--Regional Vice President, Government Relations, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
• Mary Lau—President/CEO, Retail Association of Nevada
• Kristin McMillan—Vice President & General Manager, EMBARQ
• Irene Porter—Executive Director, Southern Nevada Home Builders Association
• Paul Steelman—President/CEO, Paul Steelman Design Group
• Tom Warden—Vice President, Communications & Government Relations, The Howard Hughes Corp/General Growth Properties
• Tim Wong—President & CEO, Arcata Associates, Inc.
• Frank Woodbeck—Managing Partner, The Enchantment Way Development LLC
• Terry Wright—Past Chairman, Nevada Development Authority, c/o Nevada Title

Tourism and Gaming working group chair Bill Weidner is President and Chief Operating Officer of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, owner of the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino and the Sands Expo and Convention Center, plus several international properties. 

The Tourism and Gaming working group includes:

• Bill Weidner–Chair—President and COO, Las Vegas Sands Corporation
• Andy Abboud—Vice President of Government Relations and  Community Development, The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino
• Alfredo Alonso—Director of Government Affairs for Nevada, Lewis & Roca
• Michonne Ascuaga—CEO, John Ascuaga's Nugget
• Skip Avansino—Chairman, E.L. Wiegand Foundation
• Joe Cortez—International Boxing Referee, IMPACTO
• Bruce Dewing—President, American Wagering, Inc.
• John Farahi—President/CEO, Atlantis Casino Resort
• John Frankovich—Managing Partner, McDonald Carano Wilson, LLP
• Van Heffner—President & CEO, Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association
• Jan Jones—Senior Vice President of Communications and Government Relations, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
• Greg Lee—President, Eureka Hotel and Casino
• Punam Mathur—Vice President of Corporate Diversity and Community Relations, MGM Mirage
• Tracy Mimno—CEO, Peppermill Hotel Casino
• Larry Mosley—Director of Diversity, Community College of Southern Nevada, Retired Marketing Executive, IBM
• Scott Neilson—Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer, Station Casinos
• Robert A. Ostrovsky—Chairman, Nevada Commission for Cultural Affairs
• Lesley Pittman—Vice President of Corporate and Government Relations, Station Casinos
• Scott Scherer—Partner, Gaming Law and Legislative Specialist, Hale Lane Peek Dennison and Howard
• Ryan Sheltra—General Manager, Bonanza Casino
• D. Taylor—Secretary-Treasurer, Culinary Union 226
• Luis Valera—Director of Public Affairs and Member Relations, Nevada Resort Association