Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022 | 5:20 p.m.
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