Q: What are you reading?
A: I am reading a few books right now: “Appreciative Leadership” by Diana Whitney; “This Child Will Be Great,” a memoir by Johnson Sirleaf; and “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor E. Frankl. All great books for different reasons. As far as “Appreciative Leadership,” the book has helped me focus on what is right within my organization and how we can build on the strengths we have. The appreciative inquiring process, which is taught in this book leads to a refreshingly different style of leadership. I recommend it to other business leaders. “This Child Will Be Great” is a true story about Africa’s first woman president. I love to read true stories as well as stories about how women have changed the world. “Man’s Search for Meaning” has provided a number of wonderful quotes I’ve been sharing, including this one: “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Great book!
Q: What is your favorite restaurant?
A: My favorite restaurant is Kuma Sushi in Los Osos in San Luis Obispo.
Q: Where do you take clients to dinner?
A: I take clients to Grape Street and Hank’s Steak and Martini’s.
Q: Where do you work out or play your favorite sport?
A: I work out at LifeTime Fitness, which is a great facility, but going to the gym is not my favorite activity. I do feel good once I’m there, but will often find an excuse not to go. My preference is to walk in the park on a cool day and now that the weather has cooled off, I will be doing a lot more of it!
Q: How do you decompress after a hard week?
A: I decompress by cooking for people I care about, and spending time with my friends and family. I like to cook anything, but particularly enjoy challenging myself to re-create things I have recently enjoyed at a restaurant. It’s become a game for me. I will make something over and over at home until I get it right — then move onto the next dish. Spending time in the kitchen creating a meal takes my mind off the troubles of health care!
Q: What is the biggest challenge facing Las Vegas in the next five years?
A: From my professional perspective, which is specialized pediatric health care, I feel the biggest challenge facing Las Vegas is the ever growing divide between the cost of providing high-quality medical care and the pressure of continuously decreasing reimbursement for care provided. Eventually, we will reach a tipping point and long-term sustainability will be impossible. Personally, I feel the biggest challenge facing Las Vegas is the education system at all levels from early education of our children to higher education of professionals. We are missing the mark on preparing future generations — who will one day be our next leaders.
