Q & A with NDA Member Sylvia Young

Q: What do you like most about Southern Nevada?
A: There is something for everyone. From a business standpoint there is great opportunity. From a personal standpoint it offers an exciting lifestyle - from the attractions and nightlife to the outdoor activities.

Q: What are you most proud of at your business?
A: Two things stand out. 1. We have physicians and staff who have established nationally recognized medical services. Our patients and community have had their lives changed by these services. 2. We have had several of our administrators go on to lead their own hospitals in other parts of the country. Assisting their professional growth has been extremely rewarding for me.

Q: What services do you offer?
A: We have four hospitals in the Sunrise Health System - Sunrise Hospital, Sunrise Children's Hospital, MountainView Hospital and Southern Hills Hospital. We feature advanced medical services in emergency care and trauma, heart care, neurological care and neurosurgery, cancer care, rehabilitation, orthopedics, women's and children's programs, and many other services.

Q: Why did you join the NDA?
A: It’s simple – Southern Nevada’s growth is a priority, and the NDA leads the charge.

Q: What is your goal for 2012?
A: Excellence in clinical quality, patient safety and customer service. We strive for that in the many new services we are introducing as well as our long-standing programs.

Q: What is your favorite local charity and why?
A: Participating in The National Charity League of Las Vegas - a mother/daughter opportunity to volunteer together for a number of philanthropies in Las Vegas and a leadership-focused organization for young adult women.

Q: Who is your favorite Nevadan and why?
A: My Board Chairman at Sunrise Hospital, Burton Cohen, for his leadership at Sunrise, his sense of humor and his focus on doing what is right for the patient.

Q: Why is Nevada a great place to do business?
A: Climate – we have a great tax climate. We have an opportunistic business climate. And when it comes to balancing work and our personal lives, we have an outstanding climate for an active lifestyle away from work.

Q: Any interesting hobbies?
A: Tennis, golf, hiking, biking, travelling...all while playing Mom and juggling a very busy career.

Q: Most interesting place you've traveled to?
A: Eastern Europe, visiting Budapest, Hungary; Vienna, Austria; Check Republic and Prague.

Q & A with NDA Member Kirk Jacobson

Q: What do you like most about Southern Nevada?
A: I was born here… so it’s home… and you can’t beat the climate.

Q: What are you most proud of at your business?
A: Our reputation as one of the best CPA firms in the country to work for. Accounting Today just named us the top small firm in “Best Accounting Firms to Work For.” It’s our second consecutive year winning this honor.

Q: What services/products do you offer?
A: We are a full-service tax, accounting and consulting firm that specializes in closely held businesses with high net-worth owners.

Q: Why did you join the NDA?
A: The NDA facilitates meeting other professionals and like-minded business leaders and is key to helping us diversify our economy.

Q: What is your goal for 2012?
A: Growth of our non-traditional, non- “busy season” opportunities like litigation support and forensic accounting services, including fraud prevention and detection.

Q: What is your favorite local charity and why?
A: Having served on the Board of Directors for Safe Nest, I don’t know of a more important organization. They help families and save lives.

Q: Who is your favorite Nevadan and why?
A: I was named (middle name) after Ralph Denton, my father’s best friend and one of the Review- Journal’s “First 100” Nevadans. Ralph is a lawyer who fought for civil rights when it was not popular to do so and was his own man regardless of who his influential friends might be.

Q: Why is Nevada a great place to do business?
A: Although a large city, Las Vegas retains a “small town” feeling within the business community.

Q: Any interesting hobbies?
A: I enjoy reading about American history. One of my favorite books is “1776” by David McCullough.

Q: Most interesting place you've traveled to?
A: My wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in England. The history, the museums, the art, the architecture, the beautiful country side... it was all amazing!

Q & A with NDA Member Donna Lattanzio

Q: What do you like most about Southern Nevada?
A: The balmy nights. The incredible business environment and the fact that even though Las Vegas has become a large city, the business network still has a tight-knit, small-town feel.

Q: What are you most proud of at your business?
A: That we have created a wonderful work experience for both our internal team and for our large volume of temporary associates. Our reputation precedes us; Millenium delivers what it promises! We have developed state-of-the-art screening processes to ensure that we send the right associates to the right jobs; we have developed strong partnerships throughout Southern Nevada - thus ensuring that the companies we send our associates to are companies we can all be proud of and would want to work for.

Q: What services/products do you offer?
A: Millenium Staffing offers temporary, temp-to-hire, direct hire, payroll and executive search services. We have brought together what we believe to be the most talented group of staffing specialists in the industry.

Q: Why did you join the NDA?
A: Southern Nevada is a great place to work and live, and we wish to share our positive experiences with anyone who is considering relocating their business and family to Nevada. We appreciate the opportunities that being a member of the NDA offers: to network with like-minded executives and companies is invaluable! The educational information shared with NDA members is also outstanding.

Q: What is your goal for 2011?
A: This year we have added Millenium Executive Search Group to the Millenium family of companies. Our team of seasoned executive search recruiters offer unsurpassed experience in finding the right talent each and every time.

Q: What is your favorite local charity and why?
A: We focus much of our charitable attentions on SafeNest. This is a fantastic organization that offers support-financially, legally and emotionally-to victims of domestic abuse. These victims are housed in "safe houses" for as long as they need to rebuild a safe and secure life for themselves and their children. Jennifer DeHaven (of Millenium) is on the Executive Board of Directors, as well.

Q: Who is your favorite Nevadan and why?
A: Steve Wynn-he built an empire from a Bingo Hall.

Q: Why is Nevada a great place to do business?
A: Las Vegas offers a plethora of positive reasons: Great climate; affordable housing; favorable tax structure; unlimited work force; a community rich with individuals who believe in "giving back" in numerous ways.

Q: Any interesting hobbies?
A: Tournament poker.

Q: Most interesting place you've traveled to?
A: China and Hong Kong.

Q & A with NDA Member Terry McGowan

Q: What do you like most about Southern Nevada?
A: The people. They care about their community and support making Southern Nevada a better place to work, enjoy and live.

Q: What are you most proud of at your business?
A: I am most proud of our people. Our team has worked long and hard to make our company the great success it is today.

Q: What services/products do you offer?
A: Information Technology products and services - computer network infrastructure, telecommunications systems and technical training.

Q: Why did you join the NDA?
A: I joined the NDA 40 years ago in the 1970s because the association's goals and aspirations were something I believed in. I still believe in the NDA's mission.

Q: What is your goal for 2011?
A: My goal is to remain optimistic about the local economy, and to embrace and work within the next chapter of our nation's economic environment.

Q: What is your favorite local charity and why?
A: I have my favorite charities that I contribute to regularly, and our company's employees work very closely with a variety of charities throughout the Las Vegas area.

Q: Who is your favorite Nevadan and why?
A: There are so many wonderful Nevadans, it is impossible to pick just one! Way too many people to pick from. Kind of like asking who is your favorite child.

Q: Why is Nevada a great place to do business?
A: Nevada is filled with great people. Their spirit makes it all come together. Good times or bad, they are always moving forward. Having the opportunity to work, live and share their passions makes it the best place to do business.

Q: Any interesting hobbies?
A: My hobby is Datanamics. It's not just a business, it's my passion.

Q: Most interesting place you've traveled to?
A: I have traveled extensively. By far, the United States is the most interesting and exciting place on earth.

Q & A with NDA Member Sean Ono

Q: What do you like most about Southern Nevada?
A: Growing up in Southern Nevada has been great. I enjoy the benefits of living in a nice community, and it's a great place to raise my children. It also has the best dining, the best entertainment and events within 10 minutes from my home. Owning a business in Nevada has helped in our growth and success.

Q: What are you most proud of at your business?
A: Starting from a small, three-employee business to our now 140 employees has shown our steady growth and success. We have been able to expand and employ top employees in the past few years. The tough economy has really made our company stand out amongst the rest.

Q: What services/products do you offer?
A: We have multiple divisions. The first produces and merchandises top quality retail clothing for retailers all over the world. Our second division handles our promotional items and corporate uniforms for our clients.

Q: Why did you join the NDA?
A: We thought it was important to have access to other companies that do business or are looking to do business in Southern Nevada. We like doing business with as many businesses as possible in our community.

Q: What is your goal for 2011?
A: Our goal for 2011 is to continue to improve our efficiencies in our company and to do business with healthy companies who are looking to partner with a company like ours.

Q: What is your favorite local charity and why?
A: My favorite local charity by far is Opportunity Village. I am on the board of directors, and the organization does more for local disabled people than any other in the country. The service they provide saves taxpayers tens of millions of dollars every year also. It is a special place. I highly recommend a tour.

Q: Who is your favorite Nevadan and why?
A: This may be a cliché answer you have heard, but by far my father Terry Ono. My father has lived in Las Vegas for 30 years and the relationships and business that I watched him create has motivated me to be where I am today.

Q: Why is Nevada a great place to do business?
A: The easy answer is the tax structure, but having the growth that we have had for over 20 years has given us business opportunities that most other places could not. Everybody comes to Las Vegas for business or pleasure.

Q: Any interesting hobbies?
A: My children are at the age that sports are very important. My son plays basketball, and my daughter is big into soccer. I try to stay young and keep up with them so I play those sports also. I love the outdoors, and hunting is a great love of mine.

Q: Most interesting place you've traveled to?
A: China would be the most interesting place to date. My business deals with importing, and I traveled to Hong Kong, China and Macau. The culture was amazing, and I really enjoyed the food. Even though most dishes were looking back at me.

Q & A with NDA Member Matthew Schissler

Q: What do you like most about Southern Nevada?
A: The weather.beautiful, dry weather with abundant sunshine. It's sublime.

Q: What are you most proud of at your business?
A: Stem cells that were once frozen in our storage tanks, being used in transplant, which have cured diseases and saved people's lives.

Q: What services/products do you offer?
A: Cord Blood Stem Cell cryogenic storage. Placenta and umbilical cord tissue stem cell harvesting.

Q: Why did you join the NDA?
A: It's vitally important to expand Nevada's business base. Joining the NDA allows me to take part in this initiative.

Q: What is your goal for 2011?
A: Pay down remaining debts while growing only on equity financing and our cash flow. We're on our eighth year now, been growing nicely in an immature industry. We raised lots of debt financing capital and have paid most of it back. This is the year to get the rest paid off.

Q: What is your favorite local charity and why?
A: Humane Society, because I simply love dogs.

Q: Who is your favorite Nevadan and why?
A: Toss-up between Steve Wynn and Oscar Goodman. Steve Wynn is an "American Dream" story who overcame lots of adversity to be the success he is today. I admire the fortitude and tenacity that has made him a tremendous success. Side note, Steve Wynn really cares about his employees.it's a bottom up approach to create value in the business. Oscar Goodman because he is an independent thinker that put Las Vegas first. There is no standard policy with Oscar; he did as he saw fit and what was best for Las Vegas, not the best for one political class or a specific interest group. He never wavered on his commitment to making Las Vegas a world-class city.

Q: Why is Nevada a great place to do business?
A: Because everyone comes to visit you here. Getting potential business partners and deals done is quite easy, simply because people love to visit. We have a world class international airport with flights from around the globe.

Q: Any interesting hobbies?
A: Snowboarding in winter, and tennis in summer. Wish I had more time to improve at both. I also seek out adventure travel once a year, such as this year, which includes elephant trekking and training tigers in Thailand.

Q: Most interesting place you've traveled to?
A: Tough one. Toss-up between Thailand as above, shark diving in Bora Bora, or hiking to the live lava fields in Hawaii. If I had to choose one, it would be Bora Bora.

Q & A with NDA Member Mark Atkinson

Q: What do you like most about Southern Nevada?
A: The energy/enthusiasm of the people who live here. While we're all experiencing a business slow down, there is still an enormous amount of entrepreneurial spirit here.

Q: What are you most proud of at your business?
A: The people with whom I work. They are very professional and very supportive. I am surrounded by extremely talented people. And when I have a production element or creative idea for a client, I can depend on the professionals I work with to come up with appropriate production solutions, within budget.

Q: What services/products do you offer?
A: We provide all the services that are needed for the most elementary video project to the most sophisticated, from commercials, marketing videos and training videos to infomercials and television productions. And in all price spectrums. In addition, we have a division, Levyonline, which specializes in embedded video on websites, custom web design and development, full-service internet marketing, including SEO, PPC management and video email marketing.

Q: Why did you join the NDA?
A: I believe in the work that the NDA is doing. When a new business is encouraged to move to the Southern Nevada area, everybody benefits. Also, it is a great place to network with other industry professionals.

Q: What is your goal for 2011?
A: My goal is to continue to provide my clients with the very best creative work I can deliver.

Q: What is your favorite local charity and why?
A: Miracle Flights for Kids. While Southern Nevada is making leaps and bounds in all areas of healthcare, there is still a need for a service that provides free airline flights for children and the occasional adult who need critical medical treatment away from home.

Q: Who is your favorite Nevadan and why?
A: There really are too many to list.

Q: Why is Nevada a great place to do business?
A: Location, can easily get to any city in the West. Favorable tax climate and business-friendly government.

Q: Any interesting hobbies?
A: Well, I used to be a professional tap dancer, until I blew my knee out. So I'm blessed with a lot of rhythm. Recently, I have taken the pent up energy I have for tap to pound out rhythm on a Cajon. It is a percussion instrument and it really is a kick for me. It's like tap dancing with my hands. Look it up on YouTube, "Cajon solo by David Kuckhermann."

Q: Most interesting place you've traveled to?
A: Definitely Africa. About 20 years ago, my wife and I traveled to Kenya and Tanzania. Incredible! But I was attacked by an 80-pound baboon. Scary but exciting to say the least.

Q & A with NDA Member Jeremy Aguero

Q: What do you like most about Southern Nevada?
A: The diversity and the community's entrepreneurial spirit. Southern Nevada has consistently carved its own path, often at odds with conventional wisdom.

Q: What are you most proud of at your business?
A: Our clients' success.

Q: What services/products do you offer?
A: Applied Analysis is an economic, fiscal and policy consulting firm.

Q: Why did you join the NDA?
A: Because economic development is all of our responsibility.

Q: What is your goal for 2011?
A: Survive the legislative session and further integrate our firm's digital strategy.

Q: What is your favorite local charity and why?
A: I have three: (1) Nevada Child Seekers, because there is nothing more tragic than a lost, abducted or missing child; (2) Opportunity Village, because it is a remarkable example of how a community can come together to take care of those in need; (3) the R&R Foundation, because it helps so many Nevada-based charities reach further into the community.

Q: Who is your favorite Nevadan and why?
A: Governor Kenny Guinn, because he believed tomorrow could be better than today and was willing to work relentlessly to make that a reality.

Q: Why is Nevada a great place to do business?
A: Countless reasons including, without limitation, location, accessibility, cost of operations, cost of living, technological infrastructure, political accessibility, pro-business regulatory environment, international research, efficient government structure and workforce diversity.

Q: Any interesting hobbies?
A: Coaching youth baseball and soccer.

Q: Most interesting place you've traveled to?
A: Harbor Island, Bahamas.