Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance names new CEO

By Andrea Domanick

Thursday, May 7, 2015 | 4:28 p.m.

The Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance board of directors today appointed Jonas Peterson as the organization's chief executive officer.

Peterson, who serves as the LVGEA's president and chief economic development officer, will take up his post as CEO July 1. Peterson will replace Tom Skancke, who in late March announced his departure from the organization to pursue other ventures. Skancke’s last day with the LVGEA will be June 30.

Peterson was chosen to take over the organization’s day-to-day leadership following news of Skancke’s departure.

“For several years, Jonas has demonstrated expertise in plying the trade of economic development in Southern Nevada, and he’s the right guy at the right time to help advance sustainable and robust economic growth in the region,” Ray Specht, chairman of the board of directors of the LVGEA and vice chairman of Toyota Financial Savings Bank, said in a statement.

Peterson joined the organization two years ago as chief operating officer, hired by Skancke for his extensive background in economic development. In January he was promoted to president and chief economic development officer. Peterson holds several degrees in the field and has worked with economic development agencies in Arizona and California, where he served as president and CEO of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. prior to joining LVGEA.

“This has been an amazing ride helping start up a new economic development organization in Southern Nevada, and I’m thrilled and honored to take the helm as we simultaneously evolve and reinforce the core mission of this organization,” Peterson said in a statement. “I came to Las Vegas because I believe it’s the best place in the country to do economic development, and I’ve been lucky to work with Tom and with dozens of other leaders in this community as we’ve helped shape a vision for community and economic development in Southern Nevada.”

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