FINANCE
• The Nevada Bankers Association, the united voice of Nevada’s diverse banking industry, has announced its newly elected 2024-2025 board of directors.
During its annual meeting, NBA installed H. Scott Johnson, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Valley Bank of Nevada, as its chairman. He accepted the gavel from BJ North, executive vice president and chief banking officer at Plumas Bank, who served as 2023-2024 chairman of NBA’s board.
Johnson brings more than 28 years of financial expertise to his role, with a background spanning local institutions and national firms. Since its inception, Johnson has been instrumental in shaping Valley Bank of Nevada. He designed the financial, information technology, operations and human resources foundations of the bank. A magna cum laude graduate from Southern Utah University, Johnson has remained actively engaged with his alma mater. He completed a three-year term on the board of trustees and served as president of the National Alumni Council from 2016 to 2019.
In addition to Johnson, 2024-2025 NBA officers include:
— David Navarro, NBA chair-elect, Enterprise Bank & Trust, Nevada regional president
— Ivan Ferraz, NBA vice chair, Wells Fargo, senior vice president, commercial banking leader
— Spencer Hafen, NBA secretary, Nevada Bank & Trust, president and CEO
— Mara McNeill, NBA treasurer, Toyota Financial Savings Bank, president and CEO
— BJ North, NBA immediate past chair, Plumas Bank, executive vice president and chief banking officer
In addition to the executive officers, NBA directors are:
— Carolyn Crockett, First Security Bank of Nevada
— Bill Paredes, Bank of Nevada
— Rick Sandhu, First Savings Bank
— Rick Thomas, Nevada State Bank
— Al Welch, Bank of America
The board oversees the association’s strategic direction, legislative advocacy efforts, professional development offerings and member services. NBA Members are dedicated to providing the best financial products, services and resources to drive and support economic growth, job creation and prosperity throughout the state of Nevada.
GAMING
• Emerald Island in Henderson’ announced the promotion of Tashia Swartwood. Swartwood, who joined Emerald Island in 2005 as an audit supervisor, has been promoted to the role of controller. Her new responsibilities include supervising the accounting and audit departments, ensuring compliance with the State of Nevada Gaming Control Board and contributing to the management of the casino’s finances.
“We are very proud to announce Tashia’s promotion,” said Tim Brooks, general manager of Emerald Island and Rainbow Club casinos. “Tashia is a natural leader and has been a faithful employee of the company for many years. She is highly talented and has shown her commitment to the community we serve time and time again. We congratulate her on this success and look forward to her continued growth within the company.”
Swartwood has been a Nevada resident for 23 years. Originally from Washington State, she lives in Henderson and has an applied science degree in accounting from the College of Southern Nevada. Swartwood recently celebrated 18 years of marriage with her husband, Dion, and enjoys creating and painting.
NONPROFIT
• United Way of Southern Nevada welcomed new and returning board members. UWSN announced the addition of Jeremy Aguero, Jason Parker and Shannon Demus to the board, along with the return of former board member Denette Suddeth.
“We are excited to introduce the newest members of the United Way of Southern Nevada Board of Directors,” said Samuel Rudd, UWSN’s chief operating officer and chief financial officer. “With the leadership and support of Denette, Jeremy, Jason and Shannon, we anticipate making significant strides in supporting our community and look forward to working together to further our mission.”
— Suddeth returns to the UWSN board after previously serving as UWSN’s chairman of the board, chair of the governance committee and chair of the finance and investment committee. Suddeth is regional president and head of Commercial Banking for PNC Bank in Nevada. She is responsible for PNC’s overall market expansion driving a culture of teamwork, client advocacy and community engagement. Suddeth earned a Bachelor of Science in managerial finance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Active in the community, she has an extensive track record of nonprofit board service including serving on the board of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance.
— Aguero is a principal analyst at Applied Analysis, where he has been since its inception in 1997. His expertise includes economic analysis, operational model development and fiscal impact analysis. A third-generation Las Vegan, Aguero graduated with honors from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1997 and earned his law degree in 2004. He actively serves on the boards of Opportunity Village, Nevada Child Seekers, the R&R Foundation and Nevada State Bank.
— Parker is a results-oriented finance executive with extensive experience in commercial, corporate and supply chain finance. Currently, the vice president of global supply chain and operations at Aristocrat Technologies in Las Vegas, Parker holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management and a Bachelor of Science from California State University, Northridge. He specializes in finance, budgeting and system implementation.
— Demus is a growth strategist with extensive experience in financial management and business development. As the CFO of Americas-Gaming at Light & Wonder, Demus partners with the Americas leadership team to deliver double-digit growth annually. She holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in business administration from USC Marshall School of Business. Demus specializes in financial planning and forecasting and long-term strategic planning.
For more than 65 years, UWSN has united our community to improve people’s lives. Funds raised in Southern Nevada stay here and build pathways out of poverty.
