Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Nevada Gov.-elect Lombardo announces committee heads

Governor-Elect Joe Lombardo Thanks Supporters

Steve Marcus

Nevada Governor-elect Joe Lombardo speaks with supporters at Rancho High School Monday, Nov. 14, 2022. Lombardo beat incumbent Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak.

The transition of Joe Lombardo’s gubernatorial administration took another step toward completion Tuesday after his office announced a slew of community leaders to chair working committees.

The working committee chairs — many of whom are already part of Lombardo’s transition team — will help shape public policy initiatives, Lombardo said in a news release.

“I’m excited to announce the impressive group of Nevadans who have agreed to lead our working committees, which will help us shape our public policy initiatives,” Lombardo’s statement read. “From delivering better and safer schools for Nevada families, to restoring law and order in our communities, or to developing a robust, diverse economy for our state, I’m confident that this administration will be better equipped to execute our vision for Nevada through the work of these committees.”

Overseeing the committees will be Peter Guzman, President and CEO of the Latin Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Lombardo transition team, who said in the same release that the committees will help Lombardo’s administration succeed during its first term.

Last week, Lombardo named former state Sen. Ben Kieckhefer as his Chief of Staff, and political strategist Ryan Erwin is the chair of Lombardo’s transition team.

“These working committees provide a unique opportunity to bring together leaders from across the state to help Governor-elect Lombardo identify areas of need and opportunity,” Guzman said in the release.

The committees consist of 19 chairs for the following areas:

Agriculture and Ranching Working Committee

Chair Dr. J.J. Goicoechea, Eureka County Commissioner and Interim State Veterinarian for the Nevada Department of Agriculture

Economic Development Working Committee

Chair Mike Kazmierski, President and CEO, Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada

Education Working Committee

Co-Chair Sig Rogich, former United States Ambassador, former Assistant to the President of the United States, and Chair of the Public Education Foundation for 23 years

Co-Chair Lori Rogich, Attorney, Owner of Rogich Law Firm, PLLC, and Parent Advocate

Energy Working Committee

Chair Karen S. Haller, President and CEO of Southwest Gas Holdings

Environment, Land, and Wildlife Working Committee

Chair Mike Reese, Lincoln County Commissioner

Government Reform Working Committee

Chair Scott Muelrath, President and CEO of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce

Health Care Working Committee

Chair Catherine O’Mara, JD, Division Vice President of Government Relations at HCA Healthcare and former Executive Director of the Nevada State Medical Association

Infrastructure and Transportation Working Committee

Chair Bob Lucey, Washoe County Commissioner

Military, Service, and Veterans Working Committee

Chair Wes Duncan, Sparks City Attorney, Iraq War Veteran, and current Air Force Reservist

Mining Working Committee

Chair David Goldwater, Partner at Pinyon Public Affairs and former State Legislator

Public Safety, Law Enforcement, and Corrections Working Committee

Chair George Togliatti, Director of the Nevada Department of Public Safety

Real Estate, Housing, and Construction Working Committee

Chair Ann Barnett, CEO of the Nevada Contractors Association

Small Business Advisory Working Committee

Co-Chair Lorraine Marshall, President and CEO of Irenic Consulting Group, LLC and Battle Born Burgers, LLC

Co-Chair Clifton Marshall, President and CEO of AC, LLC dba Airport Concessionaires

Technology, Innovation, and Modernization Working Committee

Chair Betsy Fretwell, Executive Vice President of Strategy, Switch

Tourism, Gaming, and Sports Working Committee

Chair Mike Britt, Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Communications at Red Rock Resorts, Inc.

Water Working Committee

Chair John Entsminger, General Manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority

Workforce Development Working Committee

Chair Ann Silver, CEO of the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce