VEGAS INC Magazine - Latest Las Vegas business news, features and commentaries about gaming, tourism, real estate and more
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/190809
VEGAS INC BULLDOG: Frank J. Glankler III poses for a photo in the outdoor office of his Henderson home. Glankler's no-nonsense attitude has helped him succeed in business and cope with injuries he suffered in a fall. recovery. His insurance carrier wanted him in a nursing home, where orderlies would turn him over every 20 minutes to prevent blisters. Glankler refused and kicked the doctor out of his room. "I said, 'You're fired, slick. Don't come back,'" he said. Glankler insisted on meeting with Patterson face to face before moving into Casa Colina. The doctor flew to Arizona. Once at the facility, Glankler was scheduled for a psychological consultation, as is every patient. People with spinal cord injuries typically go through a grieving process, and many suffer deep emotional trauma, with high rates of suicide and depression. Glankler insisted he didn't need "no goddamn psychologist." He didn't want a pity party. He underwent aggressive physical therapy but also kept working for Hovnanian, which had an office close to the rehab center. Glankler ran the company's western division from his hospital bed. He paid to outfit the room with satellite TV and communication gear and held staff meetings in Casa | 14 October 2013 20131014_VI01_F.indd 17 | Colina's conference rooms. "He just took over," said Megan Scanlon, his former executive assistant and current girlfriend. Despite slim odds for a full recovery, Glankler remained positive. He spent lots of time in the gym, organized wheelchair races in the hallway and had walking competitions with a man whose leg was crushed in a motorcycle crash. He also refused to associate with patients who, as he saw it, had given up. If a nurse came to his room and was cranky, Glankler told her to come back later when she was in a better mood. His approach paid off. In August 2004, six months after his accident, Glankler was discharged from Casa Colina. He walked out the doors. Two years later, the center awarded him its "Tribute to Courage" award. Actor Gary Busey told Glankler's story the night of the awards ceremony. Casa Colina CEO Felice Loverso ate dinner with Glankler almost every night during his recovery and was mesmerized by the man he saw as a modern-day Daniel Boone. To inspire other patients, Loverso put up a sign in the gym, a direct quote from Glankler: "I didn't want to learn how to live with my disability. I wanted to learn how to overcome it." "I'm sure he loves the day he left," Loverso said. "But I actually miss Frank." Glankler worked for Hovnanian until spring 2005. Though he split his time between Southern California and Arizona, he had close ties to Las Vegas. He and Angel married here in 1977 at the Little Church of the West. Glankler often visited the valley for business, and in the fall of 2001, he bought a penthouse condo at Turnberry Place. In 2007, he switched careers and launched VoyagerClassics, a classic car rental business at Tropicana Avenue and Paradise Road. The business flopped. Glankler, who ran the company with his stepson, Maurice Moody, didn't know anything about the car business. He closed shop in spring 2010, having lost $6 million. He got back into real estate, and his brother Adam moved to the valley from Memphis two years ago to join him. ••• Frank's health is far from stellar. He CHRIStOPHER DeVARGAS has gained weight and, until a few weeks ago, smoked at least a pack and a half of cigarettes every day. He doesn't drive as often as he used to, nor does he walk as much. He spends most of his time in his wheelchair. And while he can do most things himself, Glankler's life is not easy. Getting a drink from the refrigerator can take him 15 or 20 minutes. What's more, he has to deal with the people who often are insensitive. People open doors for themselves but let them close on him. Some tell Glankler that if they had suffered his injuries, they'd rather die. Others say his motorized wheelchair would be fun to ride. "Man, I wish I had one of those," they say. "I wish you had this one," Glankler always replies. Glankler misses much about his life before the accident — horseback riding, motorcycle rides, climbing, hiking. But he's also grateful. He could be bedridden and need to breathe through a straw. "I'm a lucky, happy guy," Glankler said, "in spite of this (expletive) chair." 17 10/10/13 3:08:50 PM