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9 Distinguished Nevadan Nomination Form Deadline: December 31 Please send all nominations to: Scott G. Wasserman, Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Regents 2601 Enterprise Road, Reno, NV Fax: (775) Salutation: Mr. Mrs. Miss Ms. Dr. 2. Nominee's Name (Please ensure correct spelling.): Mr. Rossi Ralenkotter, President/CEO, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority 3. Nominee's Mailing Address: 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV Nominee's Phone Number: Work: Home: 5. Employment History (Attach additional material if necessary.): (See attached resume and bio) 6. Educational Background (Attach additional material if necessary.) (See attached resume and bio) (BOARD OF REGENTS' AGENDA ) Ref. A, Page 9 of 29

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11 ROSSI RALENKOTTER President and CEO Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority As President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), Rossi Ralenkotter is responsible for marketing Las Vegas and Southern Nevada as the world s most desirable destination for leisure and business travel. Under Mr. Ralenkotter s leadership, the LVCVA successfully launched Vegas Stories, the most successful branding campaign in tourism history. The campaign is best known for its oft-repeated tagline, What happens here, stays here. The LVCVA owns and operates the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center. With Mr. Ralenkotter s oversight, Las Vegas remains the world s tradeshow capital. In 2007, the LVCC hosted 26 of the largest 200 tradeshows. Mr. Ralenkotter began his career at the LVCVA 35 years ago as a research analyst. Prior to becoming President and CEO in 2004, he was the Authority s Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President of Marketing. Before joining the LVCVA, Mr. Ralenkotter worked for a local telephone company and served in the United States Air Force. He is a 57-year resident of Southern Nevada. As President and CEO of the LVCVA, Mr. Ralenkotter has embarked on a five-year vision plan for the destination that includes continued support of the resort industry s unprecedented growth and a goal of attracting a record 43 million visitors by the end of the decade. Currently, the destination is poised to break its record of 39.2 million visitors in 2007 with a projected 39.8 million visitors by the end of Mr. Ralenkotter is credited with being a part of securing the 2007 NBA All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas, marking the first time a city without an NBA team hosted the high-profile event. He is also leading the nearly 50 year old facility s master renovation program, which will enhance the customer experience by adding more meeting space with state-of-the-art technology, improving traffic flow and increase public space for convention delegates. Mr. Ralenkotter is a member of the American Society of Travel Agents, Destination Marketing Association International, the American Society of Association Executives, and the Hotel Sales Marketing Association. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Travel Industry Association of America. Most recently, Mr. Ralenkotter was appointed to the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board for the U.S. Department of Commerce. Mr. Ralenkotter was named Employer of the Year by the Employee Service Management Association in 2006, one of the 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry by Meeting News in 2005, and in 2004, he was selected Co-Brand Marketer of the Year by Brandweek magazine. Mr. Ralenkotter was named one of the Outstanding Young Men of America, listed in Who s Who of America. Additionally, he served as a delegate to the White House Conference on Tourism. Mr. Ralenkotter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Arizona State University in 1969 and a Master s degree in Business Administration from University of Nevada, Las Vegas in He was honored as UNLV alumnus of the year for He served as a First Lieutenant in the Untied States Air Force with the 468 th Medical Service Flight. He is a member of the Las Vegas Ad Club, which inducted him into the Las Vegas Advertising Hall of Fame for lifetime marketing achievements. He also received Lifetime Achievement honors from the American Marketing Association and the Travel and Tourism Research Association. (BOARD OF REGENTS' AGENDA ) Ref. A, Page 11 of 29 8/08

12 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, Nevada (702) Rossi Ralenkotter Employment March 1973-Present Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority Las Vegas, NV 2004-current, President/CEO Implemented five year vision plan with a goal of 43 million visitors by Achieved record 38.9 million visitors in calendar year 2006 with a projected 39.3 million in Attract new city-wide and signature events for the destination. Secured 2007 NBA All-Star Game, USA Basketball, the New Las Vegas Marathon, Vegas Grand Prix and Latin Grammys. Build upon What Happen Here Stays Here campaign. Launched fifth chapter of the successful Vegas stories and developed first-ever campaign targeting corporate decision makers. Oversee operation of the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center, which hosted 26 of the largest 200 tradeshows in Central Telephone Company Las Vegas, NV Marketing Representative Landmark Hotel Las Vegas, NV Accounts Payable Supervisor Education 1971 University of Nevada, Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV Master of Business Administration 1969 Arizona State University Tempe, AZ Bachelor of Science Business Administration Marketing With Highest Praise 1965 Bishop Gorman High School Las Vegas, NV Military Honorable Discharge United States Air Force 468 th Medical Service Flight First Lieutenant, Hospital Administrative Officer October 2007 (BOARD OF REGENTS' AGENDA ) Ref. A, Page 12 of 29

13 Page 2 Resume Rossi Ralenkotter PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS A Las Vegas resident since 1951, I have been employed by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) since I have been the President and CEO of the LVCVA since July I have a Master s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Arizona State University. Currently, I am a board member of the Travel Industry Association, and a member of the American Society of Travel Agents, Destination Marketing Association International, the American Society of Association Executives, as well as the Hotel Sales Marketing Association. I was also a delegate to the White House Conference on Tourism. AWARDS Atlas Lifetime Achievement Award Employer of the Year - Employee Service Management Association The 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry - Meeting News Co-Grand Marketer of the Year - Brandweek magazine U. S. Destination Person of the Year Award - Travel Agent Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award - Advertising Federation of Las Vegas Lifetime Achievement Award - American Marketing Association - Las Vegas Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award - Travel and Tourism Research Association Certified Travel Marketing Executive - Association of Travel Marketing Executives Certified Convention Marketing Expert - International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus Certified Destination Specialist - Travel Agency Owners and Managers Association International Certified Destination Specialist - International Society of Meeting Planners Selected one of The Top 100 Marketers in America by Advertising Age Tour and Travel News 25 Most Influential Executives Silver Medal Award - American Advertising Federation Inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame Outstanding Young Men of America PAPERS Authored research papers presented to the following organizations: The Travel & Tourism Research Association Public Gaming Institute Discover America Travel Organization - Trade Mart American Marketing Association (BOARD OF REGENTS' AGENDA ) Ref. A, Page 13 of 29

14 Page 3 Resume Rossi Ralenkotter Professional Organizations President, American Marketing Association - Las Vegas Chapter (1980/81) Board Member, Nevada Commission on Tourism Member, White House Conference on Tourism Member, American Society of Travel Agents Hotel Sales Marketing Association Participant, Las Vegas Special Events Task Force President, Travel & Tourism Research Association (1989/90) Director, U. S. Travel Data Center - Chairman (1987/88) American Management Association Member, Public Gaming Institute Planning Committee, DATO Trade Mart (1980/81) Planning Committee, Travel Industry Association Pow Wow (2008, 1997, 1996, 1989) Board Member, International Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus Delegate, White House Conference on Tourism (1995) Ad Club of Las Vegas American Marketing Association Meeting Planners International Board Member, Travel Industry Association of America Participant, Clark County Blue Ribbon Commission Participant, Governor s Task Force on Fuel and Transportation Civic Organizations Easter Seal Society Bishop Gorman High School Board of Regents UNLV Alumni Association Arizona State University Alumni Association Junior League Advisory Board UNLV College of Business Alumni Association Charities March of Dimes Nevada Dance Theatre St. Anne s School St. Jude s Ranch for Children United Way Campaign Bishop Gorman High School Boys and Girls Club (BOARD OF REGENTS' AGENDA ) Ref. A, Page 14 of 29

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17 Bio for Elysium Resort Hotel Casino Chairman: Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson has a distinguished role in the history of Las Vegas. A Los Angeles-area native, he headed east to play basketball at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas ( UNLV ). Mr. Robinson was the first player recruited by famed coach Jerry Tarkanian and became an Academic All-American and a legendary player for the UNLV team. Mr. Robinson was inducted into UNLV's athletic hall of fame in Selected by the Houston Rockets in the 1978 NBA draft, he was a member of the 1979 Seattle Supersonics world championship team and also played for the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls during his pro basketball career. Since then he has run or held key positions in many Las Vegas ventures and has developed strong relationships with numerous leaders of both the city and the state of Nevada. These individuals include Mr. Robinson s UNLV classmate and current neighbor Dan Wade, Vice Chairman of MGM Mirage; former County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates, a college classmate; and Steve and Elaine Wynn and Irwin Molasky, who have been his key mentors in Las Vegas. Mr. Robinson maintains close friendships with Bill Boyd, Jack Binion, Irwin Molasky and other Las Vegas leaders. He also works closely with two former Governors of Nevada Kenny Guinn and Bob Miller; U.S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley; and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. In Las Vegas Mr. Robinson has: Served as a front-line executive for the Aladdin Hotel Casino. Owned minor-league basketball teams, including the Silver Bandits (IBL) and the Slam (ABA). Started a company to administer the Targeted Jobs Tax Credit program, a federal program for businesses to get tax credit for hiring the disadvantaged individuals. This firm has produced savings of more than $25 million for virtually every casino in Nevada, Colorado and Mississippi. Created the first minority-owned business to use in the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program through the FAA at McCarran Airport. One snack bar kiosk now has grown to include a Subway sandwich shop, a Pizza (BOARD OF REGENTS' AGENDA ) Ref. A, Page 17 of 29

18 Hut snack bar, a sports bar and three news and gift shops with $10.5 million annual sales at McCarran Airport. Formed a company that beat out 70 other firms to become the successful franchisee for Pizza Hut for 67 stores in the San Diego market. Recognized by Black Enterprise magazine as the 52nd largest African- American owned company in the U.S., it had more than 2,500 employees and $50 million in annual sales. Begun Taurus Construction as a certified minorityowned general contracting firm to help reach participation levels for Las Vegas hotel-casinos. Established DiversiBuy, LLC, to provide environmentally safe cleaning products, uniforms, amenities and construction products to hotel-casinos. Started Las Vegas Consulting & Development, Inc. with friend and lawyer Carl Lovell to assist those who want to buy or build projects in Las Vegas. Mr. Robinson is currently the Chairman of Elysium Properties, LLC which is developing the Elysium Resort Hotel Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The Elysium will be among the most deluxe and exclusive casino-hotel-resorts ever built. Located on one of the last available prime site on the Las Vegas Strip, it will offer the highest standards in all areas, exceeding every other similar property in the world. It will be the ultimate destination on the Strip, with services and facilities not available in any other location. It will be the unrivaled In place for the rich and famous from throughout the world, the one place in Las Vegas that will be chosen by those who insist on the absolute best in everything that they do or buy. (BOARD OF REGENTS' AGENDA ) Ref. A, Page 18 of 29

19 Distinguished Nevadan Nomination Form Deadline: December 31 Please send all nominations to: Scott G. Wasserman, Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Regents 2601 Enterprise Road, Reno, NV Fax: (775) Salutation: Mr. Mrs. Miss Ms. Dr. 2. Nominee's Name (Please ensure correct spelling.): Mr. Larry Ruvo, Senior Managing Director, Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada 3. Nominee's Mailing Address: 8400 South Jones Blvd., Las Vegas, NV Nominee's Phone Number: Work: Home: 5. Employment History (Attach additional material if necessary.): (See attached bio) 6. Educational Background (Attach additional material if necessary.) (See attached bio)

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21 LARRY RUVO - BIO Larry Ruvo has been in the wholesale liquor and wine business for over 30 years. As Senior Managing Director of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, he has directed this dynamic organization since Under his guidance, Southern Wine & Spirits has become Nevada s largest wholesale liquor, wine and beer importer and distributor. Larry is well known in the Las Vegas community for his ongoing support of a number of charitable organizations, many of which are associated with education and children. He was presented the Altruistic Award by the Meadows School, a K- 12 private school that he helped to establish. He has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Meadows School through various charitable activities. Furthermore, Larry helps to raise money for scholarships in hotel management at the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. UNLVino, another of Larry s endeavors, has become one of the biggest wine tasting events in Nevada. This annual event, with Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada as its primary sponsor, donates all proceeds to scholarship funds for College of Hotel Administration students. He is a trustee for the UNLV Foundation and has raised millions of dollars to fund scholarships for Hotel Administration students. Larry Ruvo is also a founding member of the Young Presidents Organization (Y.P.O.) Nevada Chapter, a former member of the World Presidents Organization, Bailli of the Chaine des Rotisseurs in Las Vegas, and a member of the Bluecoats in Nevada (an organization to help families of firemen and police officers killed in the line of duty). He also serves as a Board Member of the Nevada Ballet Dance Theatre and a Board Member of the American Gaming Association (AGA). He is a member of Legatus, a Catholic business organization, and is involved as both a Board Member and Fundraising Chairman with many civic organizations such as Alzheimer s Research and the Las Vegas Alzheimer s Association. Larry is the Founder and Chairman of Keep Memory Alive, the foundation for the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute. He is also a founding member of the Nevada Tourism Alliance as well as a founding member of the Counsel for a Better Nevada. He is a supporter of numerous philanthropic endeavors in Nevada as well as nationally and internationally. Larry has been the recipient of many honors. On several occasions, he was honored by the United States Congress. In November 1998, he was knighted into the Order of Saint John Knights of Malta. He was recognized as Man of the Year by MDA and received the 1999 Community Leadership Award from the Points of Light Foundation. In addition, he received Man of the Year awards from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, the Food & Beverage Directors Association, and numerous other charitable organizations. Larry was also awarded the UNLV President s Medal and listed as one of the Influential Businessmen of Southern Nevada for 2004 and included as one of the Vegas Dozen in Larry recently was inducted into the 2005 Gaming Hall of Fame and was also honored by the Public Education (BOARD OF REGENTS' AGENDA ) Ref. A, Page 21 of 29

22 Foundation with the Education Hero Award for In July 2006, President George W. Bush appointed Larry to serve as a Member of the prestigious Advisory Committee to the Arts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Most recently, he was presented the Governor s Philanthropist of the Year Award. In 2007 the Las Vegas Review Journal named Larry Ruvo Most Favorite Male in Las Vegas. Larry is married to Camille and has three daughters, Nicole, Lauren Marie and Brianna Angelina. (BOARD OF REGENTS' AGENDA ) Ref. A, Page 22 of 29

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25 Linda Smith Chief Development Officer For more than 25 years, Linda Smith has revolutionized the principles of non-profit fundraising, community relations and event management in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a fundraising specialist for Opportunity Village, now Nevada s largest organization for people with intellectual disabilities, she has gained an international reputation as an innovative leader, public speaker, and most of all, a humanitarian. Linda has been a major force at Opportunity Village in planning and developing fundraising strategies, most notably the privately-funded, multimillion dollar capital campaigns to build the Opportunity Village campuses and training centers that have served thousands of disabled people. During her career, she has originated and organized hundreds of innovative events to inform and educate the public, and to raise money for Opportunity Village and other charitable organizations, including Variety Clubs Children s Charities International and Special Olympics. The Opportunity Village Resource Development Department, overseen by Linda, generates millions of dollars annually for programs for people with profound disabilities through special events and annual giving programs she has largely pioneered. Career highlights as a fundraiser and administrator are numerous and impressive, and include: A five-year effort by Linda to involve superstar vocalist Celine Dion in the Opportunity Village mission, culminating in Ms. Dion s selection of Opportunity Village as her charity of choice in Las Vegas, and in her performance at a benefit concert on the Las Vegas Strip in honor of Opportunity Village s 50th birthday. Creation of the Christopher Smith Endowment for Social Recreation and the Arts, through which people with profound intellectual disabilities have access to programs to enhance their physical and artistic abilities and their self-esteem. Through aggressive fundraising, the Endowment was valued at more than $1 million in its first year. Capital campaigns totaling more than $48 million including the Leid Opportunity Campus on West Oakey Blvd the Walters Family Campus in Henderson, the Culinary Training Center on the Opportunity Village main campus and the Southwest campus at Buffalo and Patrick. Other achievements and innovations include the annual star-studded Concert of Love on the Las Vegas Strip, which has generated millions of dollars; the Great Santa Run a record breaking event featuring (BOARD OF REGENTS' AGENDA ) Ref. A, Page 25 of 29

26 thousands of runners in Santa garb and the Magical Forest outdoor holiday spectacular, which grosses more than $1,000, annually; and the initiation and development of the Opportunity Village Foundation, which governs a multi-million dollar endowment. Active in various professional associations, Linda was named Fundraising Executive of the Year by the National Society of Fundraising Executives, of which she is a charter member. She received the Woman of Achievement Award from the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, and is a graduate of Leadership Las Vegas. An honorary member of Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, Linda was named Nevada Woman of the Year in 1994, and was named Las Vegas Citizen of the Month by the Las Vegas City Council. In its Best of Las Vegas 2000 poll, the staff of the Las Vegas Review- Journal named Linda their Favorite Female Las Vegan, and for more than a decade, in that same poll, the newspaper s readers have consistently named Opportunity Village Las Vegas Favorite Charity, thanks largely to Linda s efforts to keep the organization in the public eye. Linda has spent much of her career mentoring others in the charitable fundraising field, and is an in-demand speaker and presenter around the world. She teaches Fundraising and Public Relations classes at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and Community College of Southern Nevada, and has addressed organizations around the US, Canada, Australia and Great Britain about practices and innovations in fundraising and the role of people with disabilities in our society. Before moving to Las Vegas, Linda enjoyed successful careers as a model, dancer and actress in England and Canada, where she first became involved in her mission as an advocate for people with disabilities. Smith s high profile in Southern Nevada has helped raise awareness of the issues of the mentally disabled for decades. Las Vegas Review Journal s Best of Las Vegas John L. Smith, March 2002 (BOARD OF REGENTS' AGENDA ) Ref. A, Page 26 of 29

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