J. Terrence "Terry" Lanni, Thalia Dondero, and Charles A. "Chuck" Lenzie have been selected as the next influential business leaders to be inducted into the Nevada Business Hall of Fame. They will be honored at a dinner event Thursday, February 19, 2009 at the Mirage Hotel & Casino. The event is being presented by the UNLV College of Business in association with Deloitte.
The UNLV College of Business created the Nevada Business Hall of Fame in 2002 to honor top business leaders who have significantly contributed to the economic prosperity of Nevada, and who have brought positive recognition to the state. "The individuals chosen this year exhibit the qualities we seek to instill in our students," said Paul Jarley, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business. "They exemplify the vision to see opportunity, the imagination to think big, and the desire to give back to the community that they helped shape."
Previous inductees to the Nevada Business Hall of Fame include William G. Bennett, William N. Pennington, Michael A. Saltman, the Cashman family, Howard Hughes, William F. Harrah, Robert Lewis, Jerry Mack, James Rogers, Si Redd, Parry Thomas, Claudine Williams, Kitty Rodman, Del Webb and Stephen Wynn.
"We are pleased to continue presenting our sponsor role as the Nevada Business Hall of Fame marks its eighth anniversary this year," said Colleen Bacchus, Nevada Tax Partner for Deloitte and a member of the College of Business Deans Executive Advisory Board. "We congratulate this years honorees, who join a very select group of outstanding business and community leaders."
ABOUT THE INDUCTEES:
J. Terrence "Terry" Lanni
J. Terrence "Terry" Lanni is chairman of the board and chief executive officer of MGM Mirage, one of the world's leading and most respected development companies with significant holdings in gaming, hospitality, and entertainment. Lanni joined MGM Grand, Inc. in 1995 as president and CEO and a member of the board of directors. Just one month later, he was named to his current position. Lanni previously served as a senior executive of Caesars World, Inc., serving as president and chief operating officer from 1981 to 1995. He originally joined Caesars World in 1977 as chief financial officer, was named senior vice president in 1978 and elected executive vice president in 1979.
Lanni was appointed by the U.S. House of Representatives in 1997 to serve on the nine-member National Gambling Impact Study Commission. In 2000 he was inducted into the Gaming Hall of Fame, and in 2001 was the recipient of Casino Journals 2001 Lifetime Achievement Award. Lanni has received much recognition for making diversity a top priority for MGM Mirage, Inc., as well as for his personal dedication to philanthropy in the community. Among the awards he has received are the 2007 CEO Diversity Leadership Award from Washington-based Diversity Best Practices, the 2002 Philanthropist of the Year and the 2002 Distinguished Nevadan.
Lanni serves as a member of the board of directors of KB Home, the board of trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, board of overseers of the Keck School of Medicine at his alma mater, the University of Southern California, the board of trustees for Santa Clara University and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Lanni and his wife, Deborah, have a charitable family foundation based in Nevada with giving limited to the geographic region of California.
Thalia Dondero
Thalia Sperry Dondero came to Las Vegas from California in 1942 where she worked with the Basic Magnesium Industries. She married Harvey Dondero, a teacher at Las Vegas High School in 1945. The newlyweds moved to Carson City while he worked for the U.S. Office of Education. The couple returned to Las Vegas in 1948.
The education of children in Las Vegas was an important issue for the Donderos Before her husband passed away, they worked together to improve the quality of education for many years. The mother of five, Dondero first got involved with public education at the Mayfield Grade School. She was active in the school's Parent Teacher Organization and was mentored by Maude Frazier, the superintendent for Las Vegas Schools. It was encouragement from Frazier that later prompted her to see public office. Dondero was the first woman commissioner elected in Clark County, where she served for ten years, acting as chair three times. Dondero made the news when she refused to act as secretary to the male members of the commission. Her service on the Clark County Commission opened doors for other women to serve without facing the same kind of discrimination she originally faced.
Dondero's public service continued in 1996 when she was elected to the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents, where she continues to serve. As a regent, Dondero works to improve higher education to the state.
Dondero has made numerous important contributions to the Las Vegas community over the last 50 years. Her dedication to public service continues to improve the education system and the overall quality of life in southern Nevada. She was instrumental in expanding state owned recreational areas including Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire. As commissioner, she oversaw the expansion of McCarran International Airport and flood control projects. As chair of the Las Vegas Valley Water District Board, she helped the valley find available and adequate water supplies. Currently she serves on the Summerlin Hospital Board of Trustees and the Bureau of Land Management Resource Advisory Council.
In 2007, UNLV President David B. Ashley presented Dondero with an honorary doctor of law degree for her commitment to higher education and distinguished service to the community.
Charles A. "Chuck" Lenzie
Charles A. "Chuck" Lenzie served as chairman of the board and chief executive officer for Nevada Power from 1989 to 1999. Born in South Wilmington, Illinois, Lenzie received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois. He worked as a CPA for Arthur Andersen & Company in Chicago before moving to Los Angeles. He joined Nevada Power in 1974 as vice president of finance and was promoted to senior vice president in 1979. Lenzie was named chief executive officer in 1989 and in 1993 was named president and elected to the board of directors. Lenzie retired from Nevada Power in 1999 following the companys successful merger with Sierra Pacific Power Company.
Lenzie has been a mainstay of the Las Vegas community as a past president of the Boulder Dam Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, a member of the advisory board of the UNLV Foundation Board of Trustees, a member of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society of the United Way of Southern Nevada and board member of the Las Vegas YMCA. He has received numerous awards for his community service including the National Conference for Community and Justice Community Hero Award, the Multiple Sclerosis Silver Hope Award, the Frontier Girl Scout Council Award of Distinction and was honored by the American Diabetes Association.
In addition to his many civic duties, Lenzie has served on the boards of Bank of America, the National Manufacturing Association of Nevada, the Nevada Development Authority, the Nevada Taxpayers Association, Western R. Council, Western E. Association, National Association of Manufacturers and Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. He was also a member of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Lenzie lives in Las Vegas with his wife, Elizabeth.
Sponsorships include priority seating, recognition in the program and in all promotional materials, and constant recognition throughout the dinner on large video displays. Leadership sponsors ($5,000) receive a table of ten and invitations to attend the Deans Reception. Tables of ten are $2,500, individual seats are $275 each.
All proceeds from the event go to support the UNLV College of Business.
Seating arrangements are based on when payment is received.
For more information about sponsorships please contact Mark Jennette at (702) 895-2019 or mark.jennette@unlv.edu.
For table sales please contact Anna Drury at anna.drury@unlv.edu or (702) 895-3608.
Visit http://business.unlv.edu/deans/hof.asp for additional information, as well as videos, photos and bios from past inductees.
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