EDUCATION
• On Oct. 17, the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents appointed Dr. Amber Lopez Lasater as acting president of Nevada State University. Dr. Lopez Lasater was recommended by Chancellor Matt McNair, Board Chair Byron Brooks, Vice Chair Stephanie Goodman and members of the Nevada State community.
Dr. Lopez Lasater has been an integral member of Nevada State’s executive team since 2017, most recently serving as the university’s officer in charge since August 2025 and previously as chief of staff and strategy. Dr. Lopez Lasater has led major institutional initiatives, like transitioning Nevada State College to Nevada State University and advancing campus growth.
She has been pivotal in shaping Nevada State University’s vision, strategy and partnerships, most notably as a leading architect of the SMART Growth Initiative, which envisions the development of the University’s 450 acres in southeast Henderson. As executive director of the Nevada State Campus Lands Corp., she oversees campus expansion efforts and has played a key role in shaping policy, guiding large-scale projects and securing multi-million-dollar funding. A respected community leader, she is recognized for her commitment to student success and open governance, with values centered on transparency, collaboration and innovation. She holds a doctorate in public policy, a master’s degree in community and regional planning and a bachelor’s degree in communications, and serves on several community boards and organizations.
• University of Nevada, Reno has appointed Anette Saxe as the new assistant dean of administration for the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources. Saxe will lead operational and financial strategies for the college, helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of its research, academic and enterprise programs.
Bringing more than two decades of experience in education, fiscal management and organizational leadership, Saxe most recently served as vice president of administrative services at Las Positas College in Livermore, California, where she led campus operations, financial planning and facilities management to improve institutional effectiveness. Prior to that, she was director of fiscal services for the Mountain View–Los Altos Union High School District. Her career began in the Fremont Unified School District, where she spent more than 17 years as a teacher and a principal.
Saxe will support the college’s statewide programs, including its academic departments, as well as its extension, experiment station and extended studies units that conduct outreach, research and educational programs across the state, and beyond.
“Our college is one of the largest and most complex at the university,” said College Dean William Payne. “As a land-grant institution, we rely on strong fiscal and strategic management, and Anette brings a strong background in those skills to our college.”
Among the college’s enterprises are Wolf Pack Meats, the Desert Farming Initiative and the Great Basin Research & Extension Center’s sheep and wool operations, each generating revenue while advancing research, education and workforce development. Saxe will help identify opportunities to improve efficiency and growth across these programs.
Saxe has earned a B.A. in international relations, an M.Ed., an M.A. in educational leadership, and an Ed.D. in organizational change and leadership.
ENTERTAINMENT
• Jennifer Seeling has been promoted to operations manager at VegasTickets.com, a leader in the ticket resale industry.
Since joining VegasTickets.com as assistant operations manager last year, Seeling has improved the Las Vegas-based company’s customer experience program and social media presence, streamlined call center operations and significantly reduced dropped order rates. Her efforts also have strengthened partnerships with resale platforms and contributed to a noticeable uptick in Google and Yelp review ratings.
Seeling’s 18 years of entertainment and ticketing industry experience include positions of increasing responsibility at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Legends in Concert and Wynn/Encore Las Vegas. Before moving to Las Vegas, she oversaw box office and patron relations for the Rockford Symphony Orchestra in Rockford, Ill.
GOVERNMENT
• Division of Industrial Relations Administrator Victoria Carreón has appointed Kimberlee (Kym) Heckman, CSP, CPM, as the new chief administrative officer for Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), effective Oct. 27.
Heckman brings nearly two decades of experience in workplace safety and health to her new role. She most recently returned to the Division of Industrial Relations Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS) after serving as safety and risk officer for the city of North Las Vegas, where she developed and implemented citywide safety programs, conducted workplace audits and led training initiatives to strengthen safety culture and compliance.
Prior to that, Heckman spent more than 16 years with the State of Nevada’s Department of Business and Industry, including positions with both Nevada OSHA and SCATS. In these roles, she conducted safety inspections and audits, evaluated health management systems and worked directly with employers to improve safety practices and regulatory compliance.
“Kym’s deep understanding of Nevada OSHA’s mission, paired with her field experience and collaborative approach with both public and private sector employers, makes her exceptionally well-suited for this position,” Carreón said. “Her commitment to employee safety and proactive engagement with employers will continue to advance Nevada OSHA’s efforts to protect workers and promote safe workplaces across the state.”
Heckman holds professional designations as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and a Certified Public Manager (CPM). She earned a Bachelor of Science in business management from the University of Phoenix.
As chief administrative officer, Heckman will oversee statewide operations of Nevada OSHA, including enforcement, compliance and program management, supporting the agency’s mission to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for Nevada’s workforce.
LEGAL
• Kahana Feld announced the continued growth of the firm with the addition of partner Brian Morris.
Morris is a member of the trucking and transportation, general liability, business and commercial litigation and real estate law practice groups. He has more than 15 years of experience defending transportation providers, commercial carriers, insurers and businesses in matters involving catastrophic injury, regulatory compliance, complex liability litigation and commercial disputes. He also has experience handling matters involving regulatory compliance, driver conduct, fleet operations and business disputes. While he is based in the firm’s Las Vegas office, Morris is admitted to practice in California and handles many matters throughout the state. Before joining Kahana Feld, Morris founded and led his own litigation practice, where he managed high-exposure cases in state and federal courts. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served on active duty as a combat engineer.
Kahana Feld is a full-service national law firm with 16 offices throughout the United States. The firm received the Gold DEI Leadership Seal from The State Bar of California and was named to the Top Workplaces list by the Orange County Register.
