HOSPITALITY
• Audrea Hooper, executive director of The Downtown Vegas Alliance (DVA), a member-driven 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization that connects its members and downtown stakeholders to influence growth in the heart of Las Vegas, announced two new members that have recently joined the organization: YESCO and Corner Bar Management.
— YESCO Custom Electric Signs, founded in 1920, joins the DVA with long and storied Las Vegas roots. From the iconic signs that helped put downtown Las Vegas on the map decades ago to today’s custom signs and displays that adorn casinos and business throughout the city, YESCO continues to be an integral partner in driving the success of countless Southern Nevada businesses.
— Corner Bar Management entered the Las Vegas market under the stewardship of founder, Ryan Doherty, a decade ago with the goal of marrying exceptional nightlife, bespoke bars, art and entertainment in downtown Las Vegas . The company owns and operates nine establishments in the downtown area, including its latest venue, Doberman Drawing Room, located in the Arts District.
“We are thrilled to welcome these two outstanding companies to our membership,” Hooper said. “YESCO and Corner Bar Management, while operating in different fields, both understand the downtown Las Vegas market, what works best in this authentic and unique neighborhood, and how to be successful here.”
Founded in 2008, the Downtown Vegas Alliance was formed by business leaders and property owners with a vision to bring together stakeholders who were passionate about the community and had the capacity to cultivate change and put it into action. Today, the organization continues to evolve as one of downtown’s leading advocates.
Membership is open to property owners, businesses, nonprofits, local governments and public agencies that are active in downtown, along with stakeholders from across the region who demonstrate a commitment to improving downtown Las Vegas’ economic vitality and vibrancy.
For more information about the organization and membership levels, go to dva.vegas or email audrea@dva.vegas. Follow Downtown Vegas Alliance: Facebook |@DTLVAlliance | Instagram| LinkedIn
NONPROFITS
• Signs of HOPE (Healing, Options, Prevention and Education), a nonprofit dedicated to offering hope, help and healing to those affected by sexual violence and exploitation, announced the addition of Sally Baragar to the organization’s board of directors.
Baragar, executive director of consulting services at SimplifyHR, is a 20-year human resources leader specializing in talent development, organizational strategy and employee engagement. Throughout her career, she has focused on creating inclusive and empowering workplace cultures. Baragar is a long-time volunteer with organizations focused on supporting individuals and families affected by abuse and trauma.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sally Baragar to our board,” said Kim Small, CEO of Signs of HOPE. “She brings valuable knowledge and experience plus real passion and commitment to supporting our mission of providing hope, help and healing to those affected by sexual violence. We are fortunate to have her guidance and counsel. ”
Signs of HOPE — Healing, Options, Prevention and Education — is a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering hope, help and healing to those affected by sexual violence and exploitation. The organization was founded in 1974 by Florence McClure and Sandra Petta as the Community Action Against Rape (CAAR) and operated as The Rape Crisis Center from 2004-2021. Today, Signs of HOPE operates two 24/7 crisis hotlines and provides hospital response for sexual assault victims. In addition, the organization provides counseling, advocacy and support to help victims throughout the healing process, for as long as it takes. Through its Resources and Integration for Survivor Empowerment or RISE program, the organization provides crisis response and long-term case management services to victims of all forms of human trafficking. Signs of HOPE is committed to raising awareness of sexual assault and exploitation by engaging in prevention efforts, educational programs and community outreach, particularly to youth. The Signs of HOPE 24/7 hotline number is 702-366-1640. The RISE human trafficking 24/7 hotline is 702-936-4004. For more information, visit sohlv.org.
• Teachers Health Trust (THT), the 42-year-old, self-funded, nonprofit health insurance plan for educators in Clark County, installed three new members to its board of trustees, elected two new officers, and re-elected Peggy Melton as chairperson of the board.
Comprised of current and former educators as well as community representatives, the THT Board of Trustees plays a pivotal role in steering the course of the health program to ensure its continued effectiveness and responsiveness to the unique needs of teachers in Clark County.
Its members have experience in education and the healthcare industry, bringing a keen understanding of the challenges faced by THT members and a shared passion for enhancing the well-being of the Clark County teaching community.
— The first new trustee is Patrick A. Jacobson, who has a multifaceted background spanning public education, administration and business.
Currently a seventh-grade special education math teacher at Clifford Lawrence, Jr. High School, he has decades of experience in instructional leadership in the Clark County School District (CCSD); has served on the Clark County Education Association (CCEA) Negotiating Team; chaired school empowerment and improvement teams; and co-authored governance and budgeting proposals.
— A 20-year retired U.S. Air Force veteran and currently a teacher at West Preparatory Academy, Glenford Parks brings his commitment to
service, leadership and education to the THT Board of Trustees. A CCSD teacher for the past 13 years, his educational credentials include degrees in bio-environmental engineering, Christian studies and theology, and teaching secondary sciences. Parks also served as a member of a hospital customer service performance team, helping to enhance patient satisfaction and care delivery.
— Serving as a community representative on the board of trustees, Max Carter II is a third-generation Las Vegas native and has been a memberof organized labor in Southern Nevada since 1982. He joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 357 in 1989 and has negotiated more than 40 contracts to secure jobs and protect workers’ rights and safety. Elected to the Nevada Assembly in 2022, he championed the largest education budget in Nevada history and expanded access to healthcare and collective bargaining rights.
— With extensive experience in health policy and public benefits administration, Laura Rich was elected vice chair of THT’s Board of Trustees. A trustee since 2023, she is vice president of business development at Change & Innovation Agency, a Vimo company, where she drives the development of cutting-edge platforms to help state agencies deliver health and human services more efficiently. Prior to this, she spent more than 14 years with the State of Nevada including as executive officer of the Public Employees’ Benefits Program. Her earlier roles included project management for the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange and oversight of Medicaid quality and estate recovery programs.
— A trustee since 2024, Christina Hollowood was elected board secretary. As a specialized programs teacher at Sierra Vista High School, she focuses on supporting students with specific learning disabilities across elementary, middle and high school levels. Outside the classroom, she volunteers as an outreach volunteer and family team organizer with Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), an organization dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. She also serves as an adult leader with Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada Troop 20 and DeMolay International Oasis Chapter.
— A member of the THT Board of Trustees since 2022, Melton was re-elected as its chairperson. A retired educator of the Clark County School District and a licensed Realtor, she has more than 20 years of experience in public administration, adult education, real estate and healthcare compliance. Melton holds a Master of Public Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Nevada State College, both earned with academic honors. Her expertise includes policy compliance, client advocacy, legal documentation and adult instructional program development.
In October 1983, the Clark County School District (CCSD) and Clark County Education Association (CCEA) collaborated to establish the Teachers Health Trust (THT) as the health plan for its educators. It is a self-funded, nonprofit health insurance plan available to all CCSD (and other partner charter schools) educators and their dependents in Clark County, Nevada. For more information visit, ththealth.org.
