Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/332267
JEFF GALE CHAIRMAN, NICHE MEDIA CAUSE: Conservation International What drives your passion for nature? I grew up on a horse ranch in East Texas. The woods were my playground. My wife and I want to create almost no carbon footprint at home. We live on an organic farm where we rescue animals that need homes—every- thing from bison and burros to dogs, cats, and chickens. We've learned that healthy ecosystems sustain themselves, so we live as close to nature as we can. KEN HENDERSON CEO, BEST AGENCY CAUSE: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation What lessons have you learned in your career? I believe all businesses are relationship-driven. If you have a big ego, you will shoot yourself in the foot. I have had the opportunity to be involved in the conceptualization of some very cool projects and some of the largest events in our city, which is an adrenaline rush. But at the end of the day, I get to go home to my beautiful wife and family. GREGORY T.H. LEE CEO, EUREKA CASINOS, URBAN GROUP CAUSE: Problem Gambling Center What prompted you to address problem gambling? I became interested when [I was invited] to attend a working group session of problem gamblers, who shared the effect that pathological gambling had had on them and their families. After that, my family and I decided to found a program that focused on the families of problem gamblers. We intend for our business to be around for a long time, and to do that we need to take care of both customers and employees. JERRY MISKO ARTIST; COFOUNDER, DUST GALLERY CAUSE: Nevada Cancer Institute, The Neon Museum Is Vegas a good place to be an artist? The visual diversity of the city is a constant inspiration, and the scene is new, so there aren't a lot of "rules," no machine to battle. It's a Wild West scenario. How has our arts culture evolved? Downtown has seen a huge inf lux of growth and positive enhancement for the whole creative class. "Community" gets thrown around a lot as a buzzword, but I've definitely noticed a growth of camaraderie. RICK MOONEN CHEF AND RESTAURATEUR CAUSE: Three Square What's the future of Vegas cuisine? The future of Vegas cuisine will be based on more localized food sourcing. I grow a ton of fruits, herbs, and vegetables in my own backyard by composting the by-products of my home kitchen. More and more farms within 50 miles of the Strip are producing great-quality food products. I hope to support the future of urban farms in Las Vegas and will continue to celebrate the amazing level of talent that f lourishes here in Clark County. SAM NAZARIAN FOUNDER AND CEO, SBE CAUSE: Y&S Nazarian Family Foundation What made you decide to open SLS Las Vegas on an isolated stretch of the Strip? The north end is rich with history, and we wanted to be part of the next chapter in Las Vegas. With all of the buzz surrounding the development of Downtown and other big projects, SLS Las Vegas is located in the center of the action. We're passion- ate about creating meaningful interactions and lasting memories. MIKE SNEDEGAR GENERAL MANAGER, TAO GROUP CAUSE: Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, Best Buddies of Southern Nevada What advice would you give to those starting out? 1. Consistency equals longevity. 2. If you burn a bridge, it will come back to burn you. 3. Relationships and contacts are everything, and they are earned. Hustle. 4. If you're not going out of your way for anyone, no one is going out of their way for you. 5. You are a brand. What you do at work, outside of it, and online is a ref lection of that. DAVID A. STR AUS ATTORNEY, STRAUS LAW CAUSE: The Meadows School What has been most fulfilling in your career? People come to me concerned about asset seizure through frivolous lawsuits and creditor actions. In Nevada we needed an asset protection vehicle. I proposed a law that passed in 1999 allowing individuals to set up "on-shore" trusts similar to old offshore asset protection trusts but with a simpler structure. We are proud to boast that Nevada has one of the best statutes in the country. STEVENSON SYLVESTER LINEBACKER, PITTSBURGH STEELERS CAUSE: Helping Hands Why is it important for athletes to act as role models for kids? Kids think we're superheroes. But when you tell them they can be just like you—the look on their faces, that feeling of determination is why I do the things I do. I want to make sure that every child knows that they can be whatever they want to be in this world. The more you see people, especially celebrities in my position, doing the right thing and making others' lives better, the better off this world will be. V "I LOVE LAS VEGAS. EVERY CORNER OF THE US TR AVELS THROUGH OUR GREAT CITY EVERY YEAR, AND WE JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER." —RICK MOONEN VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 107