ZZZ - GMG - VEGAS INC 2011-2014

January 30, 2012

VEGAS INC Magazine - Latest Las Vegas business news, features and commentaries about gaming, tourism, real estate and more

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Kolleen Kelley President Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS® K olleen Kelley grew up in the real estate business. Her father was a banker; her mother a real estate broker and her brother an appraiser. With more than three decades of real estate experience herself, Kelley is now set to take on the president role for the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors (GLVAR) for 2012. Barely a month into her tenure, she is refl ecting on the highest sales volume year in history while also reaching out to the 11,000 GLVAR members with initiatives such as her "One Step to Recovery" campaign, which urges Realtors to make one extra purchase they have put off each month to help stimu- late the local economy. "If we can add at least 11,000 purchases to the local economy each month, we'll help generate local jobs and boost consumer confi - dence. It has to start somewhere," she said. Kelley's goal for 2012 is to focus on basic elements like servicing the community with information on the wide range of programs out there for buyers and sellers and those in distress situations. In addition, education is a top priority. Making sure the appropriate seminars and technology tools are in place for Deborah Krause Founder, CEO | A5 Group D eborah Krause has some 20 years of experi- ence helping to launch some of the country's hottest brands, and in developing and maintain- ing hotels, restaurants and nightlife destinations around the country. Her knowledge and know-how serves her well at A5 Group, a fi ve-year-old hospitality and mar- keting company that creates and synergizes life- style brands and brings strategic planning, spe- cialized expertise and successful partnerships to its clients. Having served as chief operating offi cer of Pure Management Group, which includes PURE Nightclub at Caesars Palace and LAX Nightclub at Luxor, as well as vice president of food and bev- erage for the Silverton Casino Resort, Krause is a hospitality industry visionary who is poised to roll out three high-profi le ventures in 2012, including the Las Vegas launch of the popular Los Angeles- based Pinkberry yogurt brand. "This is special product because it crosses demographics," Krause said. "With nightclubs you can only reach so many people. Pinkberry has this amazing high-quality brand that brings in moms with their kids, young women who use it for meal replacement, and families and friends. It's affordable, yet you can feel like you had a little luxury and a little escape. The launch is also cre- ating jobs, which I think is cool." The initial roll out will focus on the Las Vegas Boulevard corridor because of its fl exibility and also the opportunities with the increased visitor traffi c, according to Krause, who is also prepar- ing to unveil Peckman's Pops, a line of artisanal- fl avored ice pops that are expected to debut this month. "We started this project literally from scratch, from the recipe creation to the tastings to the design of the wrapper, and just moved into new offi ce and warehouse space and built a production facility," said Krause, who is also partnering with respected businessman Phillip Peckman, former state assemblyman and lobbyist Josh Griffi n and her husband, David Krause, to form PGK Com- munications, a marketing, government affairs and public relations fi rm. "We are a group of people with different back- grounds but the same mission: Nevada fi rst and making a difference in our community," Krause said. "We are working with people who are mak- ing decisions, and the dollars are not as free-fl ow- ing, so the solution has to be to connect with the audience in a totally different way." —Danielle Birkin Realtor members in this changing market is essential to them performing at a high level, she explained. "The short sale is a new thing in people's lives and they're not sure how to go about it. A good portion of our membership has been trained and can actually help," she added. Kelley is also calling for unity among her colleagues and Realtor members as well as with others in associated industries. A united approach will eventually turn the market and economy around, she believes. "Instead of wasting energy looking for someone to blame for our challenges, I think we'll all be better off if we put that same energy into securing our next transaction. Or, doing what we can to improve our profession, our community and to fi ght for homeowners at the legislative level by supporting laws that protect private property rights." Kelley has also reduced her workload as a consultant with Elite Realty to focus on her role as president his year. —Brian Sodoma WOMEN TO WATCH Helen Lewis VP/Commercial Loan Officer Linda Kuhn Sr. VP/Branch Administrator Vanessa Teeter VP/Commercial Loan Officer Julie Brutch Sr. VP/Senior Loan Officer Gina Gentleman VP/Branch Manager Five Exceptional Women Working at One Superior Five Star Rated Bank At Meadows Bank, we understand the importance of women in business. The talent and experience each of these women possess has helped our bank achieve a Superior Five Star Rating. 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