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• Overview
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• Careers

Leadership

From its inception, The Smith Center has been led by a distinguished Board of Directors comprised of many of Las Vegas’ most important business, cultural, education and civic leaders. Donald D. Snyder, former president of Boyd Gaming Corporation, serves as volunteer chairman of the board and Myron G. Martin serves as president and chief executive officer of the Center.

Board of Directors

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is honored to have such an accomplished and dedicated board. Our members are exemplary Las Vegas citizens who share our great passion for the arts.

• Donald D. Snyder
  Donald D. Snyder   Chairman

  

  Donald D. Snyder is the volunteer Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. As an active supporter of cultural and arts organizations, Mr. Snyder has played an integral role in The Smith Center since the incorporation of its charitable foundation, the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation, in 1996.

  Mr. Snyder retired in 2005 from his "day job" at Boyd Gaming Corporation. He first joined the Company as a member of the Board of Directors in April 1996. He was later named President of the Company on January 1, 1997, a post he held until his retirement.

  He was previously the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fremont Street Experience, where he held the Chairman's post on its governing board until August 2006. This company is an entity that he formed for eight owners of major hotel and casinos in Las Vegas to develop and operate a major redevelopment project in downtown Las Vegas.

  Mr. Snyder served from 1987 through 1991 as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of First Interstate Bank of Nevada, the state's largest full service bank at the time. During his 22 years with First Interstate Bank, he served his first 18 years with its California bank in various management positions in retail and corporate banking, international banking and real estate banking. His executive positions with the First Interstate organization included membership on its holding company's Managing Committee and on the Boards of Directors of First Interstate Bank of Utah and First Interstate Mortgage Company.

  Mr. Snyder has been actively involved in numerous business, charitable and civic activities in Nevada. He has founded or co-founded several new businesses in Southern Nevada. He has served on the boards of several gaming and non-gaming companies, including current service on the boards of Bank of Nevada (which he co-founded) and its parent, Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE: WAL); NV Energy (NYSE: NVE); Tutor Perini Corporation (NYSE: TPC); and Switch Communications Group, L.L.C. (privately held).

  Additionally, Mr. Snyder has served on numerous non-profit boards over the years and has been formally recognized on several occasions for outstanding corporate and community service. He presently serves on the boards of the Nevada Development Authority (past Chairman), UNLV Foundation (past Chairman), Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation (Chairman), Nathan Adelson Hospice (past Chairman), Council for a Better Nevada (past Chairman) and Tournament Players Club at Summerlin. His past board service in recent years includes the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Nevada Resort Association and United Way of Southern Nevada (past Chairman).

  Mr. Snyder is a cum laude graduate of the University of Wyoming, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and completed the Graduate School of Credit and Financial Management at Stanford University. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree by UNLV in 2001. Mr. Snyder and his wife, Dee, have been married for 38 years and have three children and one grandchild.

   

• Dr. Keith Boman
  Dr. Keith Boman   Vice Chairman

  

  A native of southern Nevada, Dr. Keith Boman is a noted cardiologist who was named one of our best doctors by Las Vegas Life magazine. Caring for people is both his profession and his passion. He has devoted his career to providing the most complete, compassionate, professional and personalized care possible to patients from all walks of life.

  Dr. Boman is a graduate of Ed W. Clark High School in Las Vegas and served as the school's first student body president. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and then graduated from the George Washington University School of Medicine, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Honorary Society. While completing post-graduate training at UCLA, he co-authored the original edition of "Cardiology for the House Officer," the first handbook and guide for residents and interns entering the field of cardiology.

  Believing that everyone should give something back to the community, Dr. Boman is deeply involved in numerous charities, professional and community organizations. He helped found the Meadows School as well as the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation. He was instrumental in the relocation of the Nevada Ballet Theatre to their new home in the Donald W. Reynolds building in Summerlin.

  He serves on the board of Trustees for the Clark County Medical Society and for Columbia Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. He serves as a trustee for the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, a prestigious charitable organization created by the late media group owner who entrusted Dr. Boman with coordinating his medical care. Dr. Boman also serves on the boards of the Nevada Ballet Theater, the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Super Summer Theater and the Las Vegas Music Festival as well as on the advisory council of the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

   

• Kim Sinatra
  Kim Sinatra   Secretary-Treasurer

  

  Since February 2006, Ms. Sinatra has served as Senior Vice President, and General Counsel for Wynn Resorts, Limited. She joined the company in January 2004 as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of its development activities. Wynn Resorts, Limited (Nasdaq: WYNN) is the premier developer and operator of full service casino resorts. The company opened Wynn Las Vegas on April 28, 2005 and Wynn Macau on September 6, 2006.

  From 2000-2003 Ms. Sinatra served as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (formerly Park Place Entertainment, Inc.). She has also served as General Counsel for The Griffin Group, Inc., Merv Griffin's investment management company, and as a partner in the New York office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.

  Ms. Sinatra received her JD from the University of Chicago and BA in Economics from Wellesley College.

  Ms. Sinatra, her husband and three sons reside in Las Vegas, Nevada.

   

• Charles Atwood
  Charles Atwood  

  

  Charles Atwood is Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. In this role, he oversees all of the company's strategic growth initiatives including development, design and construction functions, as well as the risk-management organizations including strategic sourcing, internal audit, enterprise risk management and security, surveillance and investigations.

  Atwood joined the company in 1979 and has held numerous finance and development positions during his tenure. He was named Chief Financial Officer in 2001 and joined Harrah's Board of Directors in July 2005. In 2006, Atwood was named Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.

  Atwood received his MBA in finance from Tulane University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Equity Residential, a REIT listed on the New York Stock exchange. He also serves on community boards for the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center, as well as the Dean's Advisory Board for the University of Nevada-Las Vegas Business School.

   

• Gary N. Jacobs
  Gary N. Jacobs   Assistant Secretary

  

  Gary Jacobs is the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of MGM MIRAGE, an entertainment, hotel and gaming company headquartered in Las Vegas.

  Prior to joining MGM MIRAGE, Jacobs served from 1988 to 2000 as a senior partner of the law firm of Christensen, Miller, Fink, Jacobs, Glaser, Weil & Shapiro, LLP, Los Angeles, California, where he remains "Of Counsel". Jacobs received his LL.B. from Yale Law School in 1969, where he was Order of the Coif. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brandeis University-Summa Cum Laude, PhiBeta Kappa and studied at the London School of Economics.

  Jacobs' current affiliations include: Director and Member of Executive Committee, The InterGroup Corporation (INTG: NASDAQ-NMS); Member, Board of Governors, American Jewish Committee; Member, Board of Overseers, Brandeis University Graduate School of International Economics and Finance; Member, Board of Directors, Nevada Ballet Theatre; Member, Executive Committee, Las Vegas Performing Arts Center; Member, Executive Committee, Nevada Cancer Institute. He is a member of the bar in the states of California and New York.

   

• Scott MacTaggart
  Scott MacTaggart  

  

  Mr. MacTaggart is a partner in one of the Southwest's leading law firms, Lewis & Roca. Working in the Business Transactions group, his practice emphasizes multi-jurisdictional business and corporate law, tax litigation and consultation, national and international gaming and hospitality, shareholder and partner dispute resolution, business-related aspects of commercial litigation, business formations, acquisitions and reorganizations, including substantial experience with Nevada anti-takeover laws. He was previously with Beckley Singleton, which partnered with Lewis and Roca in 2007. Mr. MacTaggart, who is also a Certified Public Accountant and former international partner in a "Big Four" accounting firm, has counseled a significant number of companies on various multi-jurisdictional transactions, initial public offerings, merger, acquisition and sale transactions, and tax-efficient structuring and operational strategies. He has represented clients and trade associations before state and federal legislative and regulatory bodies in Nevada, California, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C.

  In a career of over thirty years in Milwaukee, London, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, Mr. MacTaggart has represented a variety of clients including Southwest Gas Corporation, Southern California Edison, Kimberly-Clark, Johnson & Johnson, MGM Mirage, Mandalay Resorts, Station Casinos, Hilton Hotels Corporation, Boyd Gaming, Horseshoe Gaming, Starwood Resorts, Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas, Bishop Gorman Development Corporation, Peter Lik Galleries, Sage Community Group, Patron Spirits, Steve Wynn, Jack Binion, Bill Boyd, Deutsche Bank, Nevada State Bank, Nevada Community Bank, Credit Suisse International, Waste Management, Tracinda, Elton John, Judith Krantz, Kirk Douglas, Bruce Springsteen, Heart, Barron Hilton, Epic Gaming, Venetian Resort, Stratosphere and John Paul Getty III.

  Mr. MacTaggart has taught at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Graduate School of Business and is currently an Adjunct Professor of Law at UNLV's Boyd School of Law. He has also been a speaker/panelist at over thirty continuing professional education seminars in the United States, London, Geneva, The Hague, Puerto Rico and Australia.

   

• Senator Richard Bryan
  Senator Richard Bryan  

  

  Former U.S. Senator Richard H. Bryan is a partner at Lionel Sawyer & Collins in the Administrative Law Department and is a member of the Firm's Executive Committee. His practice focuses on government relations at the federal, state and local level, particularly in the areas of gaming, mining, and public land use issues. He is the Firm's designated representative for Lex Mundi and State Capital Group, global organizations of major law firms. Based in the Firm's Las Vegas office, Senator Bryan also spends time between the Firm's other Nevada offices in Reno, and Carson City.

  Richard Bryan remains an active community and business leader in Nevada. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Nevada Development Authority (NDA), which encourages businesses to relocate to Nevada. Senator Bryan is also on the Board of Trustees of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and is Chairman of the Board for Preserve Nevada, a group whose priority is to preserve historical buildings, places, and historical artifacts in the State of Nevada.

  A native Nevadan, Senator Bryan started his legal career in 1964 as a Deputy District Attorney in Clark County (Las Vegas), Nevada. Two years later, he was named Clark County's first Public Defender. In 1968 Richard Bryan was elected to the Nevada State Assembly. He was re-elected to the State Assembly in 1970. In 1972, he was elected to the State Senate and re-elected in 1976. The former prosecutor won his first statewide election as Nevada's Attorney General where he played a major role in successfully defending Nevada's gaming regulatory structure in the Federal Courts. In 1982, he was elected to the first of two terms as Governor. As Nevada's Governor, economic diversification and the attraction of new businesses to Nevada became a priority. In 1988 he was elected to the first of two terms in the U.S. Senate and was the only member of the U.S. Senate to simultaneously sit on the following committees: Finance, Banking and Commerce.

   

• Alan Feldman
  Alan Feldman  

  

  Alan M. Feldman is Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for MGM MIRAGE, a $10 billion gaming, entertainment and resort company. In this capacity, he is responsible for all media relations, both domestic and international, and oversees the planning and implementation of all community and government relations programs.

  Mr. Feldman originally joined Mirage Resorts, Incorporated in March 1990 as Vice President, Public Affairs and was asked to remain with the company following its acquisition by MGM Grand, Inc.

  Previously Mr. Feldman has served as public relations counsel to numerous clients including Yamaha Musical Products, Proctor & Gamble, United Airlines, American Interactive Media and the National Association of Music Merchants.

  Active in the community, Mr. Feldman is currently a member of the board of directors of KNPR, the National Public Radio affiliate in Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation. He has previously served as a member of the board of KLVX-TV, public broadcasting for Southern Nevada and the Salvation Army.

  Mr. Feldman is also active on two boards relating to problem and pathological gambling: the National Center for Responsible Gaming and the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling.

  A native of Southern California, Mr. Feldman was a theatre major at UCLA before beginning his career in public relations.

   

• Robert Forbuss
  Robert Forbuss  

  

  Robert Forbuss is the President of Strategic Alliances, a consulting company working in the areas of government relations, business development, strategic planning and issues management. He represents a wide range of clients in diverse industries throughout the State of Nevada on both the state and federal levels.

  A native Nevadan, Forbuss has served the Southern Nevada community for the past 38 years as an educator, elected official, businessman and community advocate. After graduating from High School in Las Vegas, he earned a degree in Public Administration and Political Science from Long Beach State University in California.

  Upon graduation, Forbuss returned to his hometown and began his professional career as a teacher at Bishop Gorman High School where he taught from 1972-1979. During his tenure at Gorman, Forbuss became an EMT and worked during his summer breaks for Mercy Medical Services. Recognizing his entrepreneurial spirit and skills as a leader, he quickly worked his way through the managerial ranks of Mercy and eventually became an owner of the company. Mercy soon became a flagship and model operation in the United States for Paramedic services and Forbuss became a recognized leader in EMS Services, winning numerous awards and becoming a popular speaker at national conferences. He was a founder and President of American Ambulance Association and Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services.

  While his career shifted after leaving the classroom, Forbuss remained dedicated to developing and enhancing public education in Southern Nevada. As a member of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as its past Chairman, Forbuss has encouraged business leaders to support education initiatives and programs to emphasize the important role that education plays in the development of an educated workforce. In addition, he has served on several educational boards and committees including his current role as Vice Chairman of the Clark County Public Education Foundation. He is also the founder of Commercial Bank of Nevada now called Colonial Bank.

  In addition to his strong support of education, Forbuss has made numerous contributions to the State of Nevada through his service to organizations and committees dedicated to improving the business environment, encouraging and fostering the arts community and enhancing the quality of life for all residents of the state. Among some of Forbuss' most notable contributions include serving on the Clark County Board of School Trustees from 1979-1986, serving as a Chairman of the board of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce in 1999 and 2000, serving on the Board of Directors of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts and as the Vice Chairman and Board Member of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for 6 years. Additionally, Forbuss was a member of the Clark County Master Transportation Plan Funding Committee, the Mayor's Committee for a Better Community, Chairman of the Las Vegas Housing Authority and the Governor's 2007 Transition Team.

  The Clark County Board of School Trustees honored him in 2006 by naming an elementary school The Robert L Forbuss Elementary School.

   

• Nancy Houssels
  Nancy Houssels  

  

  Born in Piedmont, California, Nancy began dancing at age three. She graduated from U.C.L.A. with a B.A. degree in Theatre Arts. As a professional dancer she performed worldwide in theater and television as partner of the famed dance team "Francois Szony and Nancy Claire." Nancy retired in 1969 in Las Vegas to marry J. Kell Houssels, President of the Tropicana, Chairman of the Showboat and Vice President of the Union Plaza. They have four children - Jake, Josh, Kelly, and Eric. For nearly forty years Nancy has been active in the community, especially involved in the arts and children. In 1972, she co-founded Nevada Ballet Theatre and remains a driving force as Co-Chairman. Nancy has received recognition for her work with the Governor's Distinguished Service to Women in Southern Nevada, Nevada Community Foundation's Jameson Philanthropic Achievement Award, Chamber of Commerce Women of Achievement Award and the Chris Schallert Award from WE CAN for the Abused, Abandoned, and Neglected Children. Nancy has served or is presently serving on numerous community boards including UNLV Foundation, The Meadows School, Nevada International Women's Forum, Friends of Channel 10, Nevada Arts Council, Children's Service Guild and the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation. Today her dream of a world-class performing arts center in Las Vegas is about to become a reality.

   

• Richard Plaster
  Richard Plaster  

  

  Richard began his career in homebuilding and his life in Las Vegas in 1973 when he landed a job with one of the great family owned homebuilders, Lewis Homes. Richard would spend five years with that company, handling sales and marketing as well as land acquisition, absorbing its culture and its commitment to the family firm.

  In 1978, Richard formed Plaster Development Company, Inc. which soon adopted the trade name Signature Homes to better reflect the company's philosophy of accountability and quality craftsmanship. As head of what is now the oldest privately owned and family operated homebuilder in Southern Nevada, Richard is always looking to the future of development in the growing Las Vegas market. He is a licensed general contractor and a licensed real estate broker in Nevada.

  Richard was elected president of Southern Nevada Home Builders Association in 1989 and served as president of the Home Owners Warranty (HOW) Council from 1985 to 1990. He is currently active on the boards of Southern Nevada Homebuilders, the Nevada Ballet Theatre, the Smith Performing Arts Center and the Las Vegas Philharmonic, of which he is also a past president. He also served for a dozen years on the Board of Trustees of his children's school - The Meadows School.

  He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Stanford University and his MBA in Finance from University of California, Berkeley. As part of the MBA program, Richard spent nine months working with the Institute of Public Administration in New Delhi, India. Richard works with his wife, Wendy of 31 years and his two grown sons. He is also the proud father of one daughter.

   

• Jacqulyn C. Shropshire
  Jacqulyn C. Shropshire  

  

  Jacqulyn Calloway Shropshire has many "firsts" in her life as a career woman, philanthropic board member, fundraiser, community service volunteer, and entrepreneur. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, she attended public schools and after earning her baccalaureate degree in Business Education and Economics from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, she became the first African American employee in an administrative position with Trans World Airlines, and later a teacher in the Kansas City Public School system.

  In 1961 she married Thomas Shropshire and moved to New York where she earned a Masters Degree in Education from Hunter College, and taught in New York public schools. In 1968 Mrs. Shropshire accompanied her husband to Lagos, Nigeria during his tenure as Corporate Vice President of Philip Morris. There she helped organize the first American Women's Club to aid and assist in all areas of community service, especially parenting skills for unwed mothers and assisting in placing abandoned children in safe and secure homes. She also founded and served as editor-in-chief of "Fancy That" a newsletter for women.

  The family moved from Nigeria to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1972 where Mrs. Shropshire began 30 years of service with the Milwaukee Urban League, initially as a volunteer, later accepting an appointment as Executive Director, and ultimately elected to the Board of Directors. During that time she also gave support and guidance to other organizations serving youth, women, and community development. She organized the first African American debutante cotillion with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc which presented over $300,000 in scholarships to deserving young African American women in the Milwaukee community; she was the first African American female corporate Chairman of Wisconsin for the United Negro College Fund raising over $500,000; and she founded and led Momentum Unlimited of Milwaukee, a firm specializing in management development, public relations and special event planning.

  Her past and present board memberships include: the Milwaukee Urban League, University of Wisconsin (Milwaukee); Women's Business Initiative Corporation (YWCA); The Next Door Foundation; American Red Cross; National Endowment for the Arts Advisory Committee; Milwaukee Historical Society; Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau; African World Festival; Inner City Arts Council; The Curative Workshop of Milwaukee; the Joint Center of Political Studies in Washington, D.C., and Founder and Board Member of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, Nevada. She is the organizer and Board Chairman of the Las Vegas-Clark County Urban League.

  Jacqulyn is also an active Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; The Links, Inc.; NAACP Life Member; President of the Quarter Century Club, National Urban League; The Girl Friends, Inc; and Life Member, National Council of Negro Women.

  She has received numerous awards and citations for her untiring and expert leadership and service. In 200l the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee passed a resolution naming a Jacqulyn C. Shropshire Family Literacy Center in Memphis, Tennessee at the Goodwill International School for Boys and Girls, commending Mrs. Shropshire for her years as an exceptional asset to her community.

  Jacqulyn has a son, attorney Thomas B. Shropshire, Jr.; daughter Terilyn A. Shropshire, A.C.E; and two granddaughters, Bailey Elizabeth and Emily Kate.

   

• Roger Thomas
  Roger Thomas  

  

  Roger Thomas is Executive Vice President Design of Wynn Design and Development. He created the interiors of Wynn Las Vegas and most recently led the interior design of Wynn Macau which opened to the public September 5, 2006. He also directed the interior design of Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, which opened December 2008.

  Mr. Thomas was Senior Vice President and Director of Interior Design for Atlandia Design, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mirage Resorts Incorporated, and the principal of Thomas Design Group, an operating unit with Atlandia. For 20 years, Thomas Design Group designed the interiors of the company's many properties, including the Golden Nugget hotels in Las Vegas and Laughlin, and the most important properties on the Las Vegas Strip: the Mirage Resort, Treasure Island and the world-famous Bellagio Resort.

  While a recognized leader in interior design for the hospitality industry, Mr. Thomas also designed corporate offices and aircraft interiors for Mirage Resorts Inc., as well as the private residences of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Wynn, then chairman of Mirage Resorts.

  Prior to joining Mirage Resorts, Mr. Thomas established the Las Vegas office of Yates-Silverman, Inc. During his seven years as Director of the office, he specialized in financial and hospitality interior design.

  The Roger Thomas Collection was inaugurated in 2006 with signature designs for Trevi and APF Master Framemakers. The Collection was expanded in 2007 with furniture for Edward Ferrell/Lewis Mittman and designs for The Natural Carpet Company.

  Mr. Thomas was elected to the Hospitality Design Platinum Circle in 2005 and received a Lifetime Achievement award from the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality in the same year. In 2007 Mr. Thomas was listed in Architectural Digest's AD 100.

  Mr. Thomas serves as a Trustee of DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids).

  An avid supporter of the arts, Mr. Thomas is the founder of the Bank of America Nevada Fine Art Collection, the largest art collection in a financial institution in Nevada. He served on the boards of the Nevada Museum of Fine Arts, Neon Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada Institute for Contemporary Art, Nevada Ballet Theater and the Wheelwright Museum Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is currently a Trustee of the Las Vegas Art Museum and a member of the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation Board.

  Additionally, he has taken an active role in the arts architecture of the city, county and state throughout his professional career. He served on the Nevada Arts Council, a gubernatorial appointment; and on the McCarran Airport Arts Advisory Committee; the Clark County Government Center Architect Selection Committee; the Clark County Federal Courthouse Architect Selection Committee; and the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Architect Selection Committee.

  Mr. Thomas is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and The School of the Museum of Fine Art in Boston, MA. He received a BFA in Art History from Tufts University. His work has been published in the leading architectural journals, including Architectural Digest.

  Born in Salt Lake City, he has lived most of his life in Las Vegas, where he still makes his home.

   

•  

Staff

• Myron G. Martin
  Myron G. Martin   President and CEO

  

  Myron Martin has a rich history in the performing arts business. He holds a bachelors degree in Music from the University of North Texas and an MBA from Golden Gate University. Martin spent 15 years with Baldwin where he managed the concert and artist division in New York City. Mr. Martin was responsible for over 300 artists and organizations including Billy Joel, Dave Brubeck, The Boston Symphony, and the Kennedy Center.

  He moved to Las Vegas in 1995 and served as Executive Director of the Liberace Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts. During his tenure, he maintained his artist relationships while building a strong Foundation and Museum. Mr. Martin was responsible for distributing grants to more than 50 of the nation's most prestigious schools for the arts. Although, he enjoyed the philanthropic aspects of the foundation, he longed to get back to daily artistic management.

  For the next four years, he led the UNLV Performing Arts Center, developing a new concert series in the process. This series, titled the "Best of the New Stage" was a box office smash. All together, he was responsible for more than doubling ticket sales.

  CityLife said "Martin continues to do wonders with the Performing Arts Center. In just a couple of years, he's turned a once ill-defined, unreliable program into a steady offering of professionalism. If anyone ever wonders if there's really any artistry in producing, tell them the story of Myron Martin. He gives the profession respect."

  When the Las Vegas community was asked to respond in the wake of September 11th, Mr. Martin and producing partner Neil Miller, orchestrated a once-in-a-lifetime concert performance at the Mandalay Bay Events Center that benefited the USO. Every artist on the Strip and many from around the country participated. The event raised $350,000.

  Today, Mr. Martin is more enthused than ever about the cultural future of Las Vegas. The Smith Center will attract a broad cross-section of the Las Vegas valley. This cultural campus is much deserved and will enhance our quality of life.

  As someone who gave in to the belief that Las Vegas was a cultural wasteland when he moved here, Mr. Martin is proud to have contributed to the cultural enrichment of the community. He strongly believes that a world-class performing arts center will create Las Vegas' cultural place on the world stage.

  Mr. Martin continues to produce the annual Best of Las Vegas awards show for the Las Vegas Review Journal, in addition to pursuing other creative projects. He along with Michael Gill produced the Las Vegas production of the Broadway smash, Hairspray.

   

• Paul Beard
  Paul Beard   Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

  

  Paul Beard is a seasoned theater manager with more than 30 years of experience in the performing arts industry. As Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, he oversees the construction of the $470 million project and spearheads its organizational operations including developing policies, objectives and initiatives.

  Prior to joining The Smith Center, Beard served as the manager director of Pearl Brewery in San Antonio, Texas. Beard played a pivotal role in its transformation from historic brewery to an iconic culinary and cultural destination.

  Beard, a consummate arts professional, is perhaps best known for opening and operating Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas. In his 15 years at the helm of the Bass Hall, Beard played a significant role in the design, construction and operational success of the arts facility. Today, Bass Hall is recognized as the crown jewel of its region which boasts the nation's third largest cultural district. It's also an important symbol of one of the most successful downtown revitalization efforts in the country.

  As a man of many accomplishments, Beard opened and operated the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida from 1985 to 1993.

  Over the years, he has served on a variety of local, regional and national boards and committees including the Board of Directors for the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM) and the Southwest Performing Arts Presenters (SWPAP).

  Beard is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

   

• Richard Johnson
  Richard Johnson   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

  

  Richard Johnson is Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. His initial focus is completing the financing for the world-class facility, as well as developing financial systems and policies in anticipation of the construction and operation of the facility.

  Mr. Johnson has worked for 30 years in executive financial and operational roles in the nonprofit performing arts industry. That experience includes sixteen years, from 1986 through 2002 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, where he was Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer. In that capacity, Mr. Johnson was directly involved in opening the facility in 1986, establishing procedures and financial systems for the operation of its 3,000 seat main hall and a flexible black box theater space.

  Mr. Johnson also worked with Banc of America Securities to put together the largest tax-exempt bond offering for an arts organization in California as part of the financing of the expansion of the Orange County Performing Arts Center. That project is now complete and operating, with the addition of a 2,000 seat concert hall and a 500 seat multi-purpose theater.

  Prior to joining The Smith Center, Mr. Johnson was Chief Operating Office and Chief Financial Officer of Washington National Opera in Washington, D.C. He also spent two years as Chief Financial Officer of the Boston Ballet. His earlier career experiences as a financial executive included Center Theatre Group at the Los Angeles Music Center and Michigan Opera Theatre in Detroit. His performing arts experience also includes working with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and San Francisco Opera.

  Mr. Johnson is also the co-founder and Chair of CFO/Arts, a national association of finance executives in the nonprofit arts, including ballet, opera, orchestra, performing arts center, museum and theater companies. CFO/Arts was founded in 1989 as a network to facilitate knowledge sharing, provide updates on developments in the field, and to establish best practices for the field.

  Mr. Johnson received a Bachelor of Music degree from Boston University in 1974 and his MBA from the Management in the Arts program at the UCLA Graduate School of Management in 1979. He also teaches and lectures in nonprofit financial management for arts administration programs, including such schools as George Mason University, Boston University, University of California at Irvine, University of San Francisco and the Stanford Business School.

   

• Terry Jones
  Terry Jones   Vice President Development

  

  As Vice President of Development for The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Terry Jones is responsible for managing the completion of the capital campaign and establishing the annual giving program. He plans, implements and evaluates all development strategies and initiatives.

  Previously, Jones spent 10 years as vice president of development for the Orange County Performing Arts Center where his duties included directing the capital campaign for the Center's new concert hall. In 2007, he started his consulting business with clients including Chapman University, Orange County Memorial Medical Center and Laguna College of Art and Design.

  Jones' development career has included service as vice president of development at Pitzer College and director of the first capital campaign at the University of California, Irvine. Earlier, Jones served as vice chancellor for advancement at University of California, Santa Cruz, director of development at the University of Denver, and director of annual giving at Tulane University.

  Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and a Master of Arts in Radio, Television and Film Production from the University of Michigan.

  He enjoys hiking, traveling and spending time with his family, including two grandchildren.

   

• Candy Schneider
  Candy Schneider   Director of Education and Outreach

  

  Candy Schneider is six months shy of being a native Nevadan. Recently named as the Director of Education and Outreach for The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Candy's entire professional career has been focused on arts education and working with the community to enhance education. Prior to joining The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Candy worked for the Clark County School District for 33 years, first as a visual arts teacher, then as the administrator of the visual arts, and finally as the assistant director in the School-Community Partnership Program.

  Over the years, Candy has served on a variety of local, regional, and national boards and committees including the National Art Educators Association, Getty Center for Arts Education, National Endowment for the Arts, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts - Partners in Education, Nevada State Education Curriculum Standards, Henderson Cultural Plan, Nevada School of the Arts, Las Vegas Centennial, Lied Discovery Children's Museum, VSA Nevada, and a host of Clark County School District committees. In March of 2007, Ms. Schneider was selected by the National Art Education Association to receive the Nevada Art Educator of the Year Award.

  Since 1995, Ms. Schneider has served on the Board of the Nevada Arts Council, as an appointee of the Governor. She served as chairman of the NAC Board for five years, and continues to work to ensure the arts are accessible to all citizens and are ever growing. Increased support for arts education, individual artists, arts organizations, and advocacy issues have been the focus of Candy's work on the NAC Board. As the appointed representative of the Nevada Arts Council, Candy also serves as vice-chair of the Nevada Commission for Cultural Affairs, which is responsible for reviewing and awarding $3,000,000, in grants each year to preserve and maintain Nevada's historic sites to serve as cultural centers throughout the state.

   

• John Gallagher
  John Gallagher   Consultant, Development

  

  Dr. John F. Gallagher plays a vital role in The Smith Center's fundraising initiatives in his role as Principal of Gallagher Associates, a full-service consulting firm that works with non-profit organizations. The Smith Center is his largest client and he devotes much of his time to the project.

  Prior to founding Gallagher Associates, Dr. Gallagher served for 12 years as the Vice President for Development at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he was also the Executive Director of the UNLV Foundation. In these roles, he served as the University's chief development officer, led all of UNLV's fundraising programs, and oversaw the active management of about $200 million in assets for the benefit of the University. He was also a founding member of the Board of Directors of the UNLV Research Foundation, the organization that manages UNLV's intellectual property and builds and manages the University's research park.

  Prior to his recruitment to UNLV in 1995, Dr. Gallagher was Vice President for University Relations at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. In his 30-year career in higher education advancement, he also worked at Seattle University, The Evergreen State College, St. Martin's University, and the University of Washington.

  Dr. Gallagher has published articles in professional journals and the popular press, and is active in regional and national professional organizations in fundraising. As a University officer, he served on two occasions as a member of the Board of Directors of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District VII-Far West.

  Dr. Gallagher received his BA degree from Saint Martin's College in 1969, his MA degree in 1970 and his Ph.D. in 1973, both in political science, from the University of Washington. He is married and has two adult sons.

   

• Lara Kolberg
  Lara Kolberg   Development Officer

  

  Lara Kolberg joined The Smith Center team as a Development Officer in 2005. She enjoys giving local individuals, companies and foundations the opportunity to become involved with what has been described as 'Las Vegas' version of Carnegie Hall, a project that will have a profound impact on the community and children's education. Her responsibilities include major gifts, grant writing/grant management, working with capital campaign volunteers, and donor relations.

  Lara previously served as a Major Gift Officer and as the Director of Annual Giving at the UNLV Foundation, where she developed several new fundraising programs to raise support for the campus. Before joining the University, she was the Director of Development for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Desert Southwest Region.

  She serves on the board of Family to Family Connection, where she established Touch-A-Truck, a community event for families with young children. She is also active with the educational programs at her church.

  Lara graduated summa cum laude from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor's degree in Journalism.

   

• Tessie Poggione
  Tessie Poggione   Development Officer

  

  Tessie Poggione joined the start up team of The Smith Center as Development Officer in 2005. Her responsibilities include leadership and major gifts, management and support of volunteers, donor relations, and stewardship. During the five years leading up to her involvement with The Smith Center, Tessie focused on raising her two young children, while also serving as founding president of the Parent Teacher Association at her children's elementary school.

  Before taking leave to be a full-time parent, Tessie was a Development Officer for the UNLV Foundation (1993-1999) where she focused on major gifts and annual giving clubs including the President's Inner Circle, Academic Corporate Council and the President's Associates. Prior to moving to Las Vegas, Tessie was Associate Director of Development at California Western School of Law (1990-1993) where she helped to coordinate development efforts, alumni relations, and regional outreach.

  Tessie received a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from San Diego State University.

   

• Leigh Aurbach
  Leigh Aurbach   Communications Manager

  

  As a Major Gifts Professional for The Smith Center, Leigh Aurbach is responsible for broadening fundraising efforts to include community philanthropists who are passionate about the changes being fueled by The Smith Center.  Aurbach works directly with the Campaign Leadership Council, a group of Southern Nevada leaders who are helping to make The Smith Center a reality.
   
  Prior to joining The Smith Center in June 2010, Aurbach was Director of Development at HopeLink in Henderson, Nevada, where she established the development program, carried out special events, marketing, and donor relations.  She has fundraised for a variety of community-building agencies during her 23 years in Clark County.  She sits on the board of the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, volunteers for CASA advocating for children living in foster care, and is active in the Green Valley Rotary.
   
  Aurbach earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration and a Master of Public Administration from UNLV.  She enjoys tennis, biking, and spending time with her husband and four grandchildren.

   

• Kim Russell
• Emma Durant
• Cathy Christ
• Lebette Hostetler
• Rebecca Boyd
• Debby Murphy
• Andrea Dashiell
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