Newsmakers

Thomas Minwegen has been named general manager of the Clark County Water Reclamation District.

Minwegen has been serving as the agency’s acting general manager since November and was deputy general manager since April.

Before joining the County Water Reclamation District, he worked for Las Vegas Valley Water District for 30 years, holding various positions, including deputy general manager of engineering and operations and director of engineering, where he oversaw the local water infrastructure.

Betty Mahalik of Las Vegas has been recognized by President Barack Obama and ShelterBox USA with a Presidential Volunteer Service Award for her efforts during 2012 to provide shelter, warmth and dignity for survivors of natural and other disasters worldwide.

Her efforts in raising awareness and funds for ShelterBox enabled the organization to respond to more than 30 disasters in 23 countries last year, providing families with disaster relief tents, cook stoves, water purification units, blankets, mosquito nets, children’s packs and other essential equipment.

Jim Halvorson has been selected as the new director for the Silver Statesmen barbershop chorus.

He joined the Barbershop Harmony Society in 1983 with the Minneapolis Commodores at age 10 and became a charter member of the Great Northern Union chorus in 1986, singing with them through 1998.

He moved to Las Vegas in 1998 and became a charter member and musical director of City of Lights chorus from 1998 to 2003. In 2005, he took over as musical director of the Celebrity City chorus of Sweet Adelines International and served until 2011. Halvorson currently serves as director of the choral program at Cheyenne High School, where he oversees four choirs enrolling about 150 students.

Cornell Blanche of Las Vegas was honored March 1 during a ceremony at the Navy Memorial commemorating the Navy Reserve 98th anniversary.

Blanche, a chief yeoman, was honored as one of 10 chief petty officers for noteworthy leadership accomplishments.

Blanche led 14 sailors and 107 support personnel. He incorporated process improvements that resulted in his department being recognized as the top administration department in the tactical support wing.

Philanthropist Alfred Mann made a $70 million donation to the Nevada Community Foundation, tripling the foundation’s size.

The foundation’s president, Gian Brosco, said, “For a businessman and philanthropist of Al Mann’s stature to invest in us is a huge endorsement of the community foundation, and we couldn’t be more pleased.”