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THE INTERVIEW THE WOMAN WHO KNOWS WHAT THE GOVERNOR THINKS Governor Brian Sandoval’s grade school friend, Heidi Gansert, is his most trusted political adviser. What does this triathlete have to say about the budget? A lot. by Richard N. Velotta T 24 | he pace is fast at the close of state legislative sessions. Fortunately, Governor Brian Sandoval’s chief of staff knows something about running a race. Heidi Gansert, the governor’s choice as his top administrative aide, understands the process is more a marathon than a sprint. A dedicated triathlete, Gansert gets when it’s necessary to go full blast and when to maintain a slower pace. Sandoval knows that, too. He has known Gansert since high school and they both attended the University of Nevada, Reno. From there Sandoval’s career path took him to the Nevada Gaming Commission, the Nevada Attorney General’s Office and US District Court. Gansert, meanwhile, was elected in 2003 from Washoe County to the Nevada Assembly, the seat formerly held by Nevada First illustration by Chris Morris exclusively for vegas inc Lady Dawn Gibbons. She spent six years in the Assembly and held the positions of minority whip and minority leader during her career. A former medical practice consultant, Gansert discusses the run-up to the 2011 legislative session, her role in policy decisions and the governor’s executive team with VEGAS INC. What was the most significant moment in your life that defines who you’ve become? I don’t know if there was a particular moment in my life, but I can tell you I have a particularly supportive family. My parents were always great role models as far as public service. We were always looking for opportunities to help others, and I think that shaped who I am. You were named chief of staff for Governor Sandoval in mid-November, and the legislative session began in early February. Describe the challenges of those couple of months. The greatest challenge was putting the budget together. The former administration had done some of the groundwork. They had requested information in the regular process of putting a budget together. But a budget the challenge really was putting together that made sense given the economic challenges we faced and reflecting the priorities of the governor. We had to make sure we distributed resources where we needed the resources and were then able to consolidate and combine all of the different agencies as best as possible. What exactly does the governor’s chief of staff do? My duties are variable. I worked quite a bit on economic development during the legislative session. I spent a lot of time with minority leadership and the caucuses as well as the majority leadership on Assembly Bill 449, which moved and changed the structure of economic development to the governor’s office. And, again, the budget. The budget is always the big, looming element of the session. | 18 JULY 2011 |