Robert Lewis, Jerome D. Mack, and Del Webb have been named as the 2006 inductees to the Nevada Business Hall of Fame. A dinner event to honor the inductees will take place at Bellagio Las Vegas. 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 to honor top business leaders who have significantly contributed to the economic prosperity of Nevada and brought positive recognition to the state. "We are honored to induct these individuals into the Nevada Business Hall of Fame," said Richard Flaherty, dean of the college of Business. "Their numerous business and philanthropic contributions have been invaluable in making Nevada such a great place to live and work."
Previous inductees to the Nevada Business Hall of Fame include such prominent Nevadans as William S. Boyd, Hank Greenspun, William F. Harrah, Howard Hughes, Irwin Molasky, William "Si" Redd, Jim Rogers, E. Parry Thomas, and Stephen A. Wynn.
Steve Comer, Nevada Managing Partner for Deloitte & Touche LLP said, "We are especially pleased to continue our support as the Nevada Business Hall of Fame marks its fifth anniversary in 2006. We congratulate this year's honorees, who join a very select group of outstanding business and community leaders."
The Feb.16, 2006 Nevada Business Hall of Fame dinner will include a reception and dinner. Tickets for the event are $225. Corporations or individuals may purchase tables for $2,000 each. Advance tickets may now be purchased by calling the College of Business at 895-3904.
Hall of Fame inductees include:
<strong>Robert Lewis</strong>
Robert Lewis heads up the Nevada operations of the Lewis group of companies, one of the nation's largest privately held real estate development groups. The Lewis group currently focuses on developing mixed-use planned communities and residential subdivisions in Nevada and California, as well as building multi-family communities, shopping centers, office parks, and industrial space. Lewis is a licensed general building contractor and real estate broker, with more than 35 years of experience in the real estate development industry.
<strong>Jerome D. Mack</strong>
The late Jerome D. "Jerry" Mack was a pioneer Las Vegas financier who co-founded what is now UNLV. He also operated downtown and strip resorts, served as vice chairman of Valley Bank, and was a venerable leader in the Jewish Community. In 1954, Mack founded the Bank of Las Vegas, which later merged with E. Parry Thomas' five year old Valley Bank in Reno. Years later, it became Bank of America. Mack served as president of the Riviera Hotel and Casino and past director of the Four Queens Hotel and Casino and the Dunes Hotel and Casino. But above all was Mack's contribution to higher education. In the 1950's, he worked with Maude Frazier and Archie Grant to establish Nevada Southern College, which became the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Jerry, along with Parry Thomas, started the land foundation at UNLV. They later funded the campus basketball stadium, which was named the Thomas and Mack Center in their honor. Mack also served on the committee that established the UNLV Board of Trustees.
<strong>Del Webb</strong>
When considering people who have impacted Southern Nevada, contractor, developer, gaming pioneer, and philanthropist Del Webb is among the most significant. His impacts range from transforming and modernizing the gaming industry, to introducing Southern Nevada to a new concept in retirement living. Webb's involvement in the gaming industry began in 1946 with the construction of the Flamingo Hotel. In 1961 he purchased the Sahara Hotel, the Mint and the Lucky Casino to become the first publicly traded gaming corporation. Webb's friend and golfing partner, Howard Hughes, were both instrumental in polishing the image of Las Vegas. By 1972, Webb was the largest gaming operator and private employer in Nevada. In 1988, the Del Webb Corporation brought the Sun City concept to Las Vegas with the construction of Sun City Summerlin. His residential impact continues with Anthem, Sun City Anthem, Sun City McDonald Ranch, Aliante, and Sun City Aliante. Webb had a vision for Southern Nevada and his legacy lives on through his innovative concepts, elegant communities, and extraordinary passion.
