Thursday, March 11, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

ON THE SCENE: Business group names its Women of Distinction at gala

Photos by MARIAN UMHOEFER/REVIEW-JOURNAL Taking part in the sixth annual Women of Distinction Awards are Kim Capozzo, from left, Brenda Prinzavalli, Jeanne Richard Jones, Ruth Urban and Mitch Truswell. Jackie K. DeLaney, from left, Selma Bartlett and Christine Petersen chat during the 2004 Women of Distinction Award Dinner Saturday. Judi Steele, from left, Marie Hamilton and Jenny DesVaux Oakes are among the winners of Women of Distinction Awards. Thalia Dondero smiles as the guest of honor at a Junior League event Saturday when she received the group's Lifetime Achievement Award. The Junior League 2004 Ritzy Dinner committee includes Nazy Habibian, standing from left, Nita Stern, Monterey Brookman, and, seated from left, Angie Jester McMurtrie and Kelly O'Hanlan-Fain.

Women from many walks of life were honored during the 2004 Women of Distinction Award Dinner Saturday evening at the MGM Grand Conference Center.

The sixth annual event was presented by the National Association of Women Business Owners of Southern Nevada, which provides a network of contacts and resources to women business owners throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

More than 500 guests attended the event that included a reception with a silent auction coordinated by Jane Armstrong with assistance from Chris Higgins and Julie Ott. A portion of the evening's proceeds benefited the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Nevada.

Ruth Urban was chairwoman of the event, with assistance from Brenda Prinzavalli. Serving as masters of ceremonies were Kim Capozzo and Mitch Truswell of KVBC-TV, Channel 3. They introduced Jeanne Richard Jones, president of the local group, who spoke about the background of the organization that started in Washington, D.C., in 1974 and now has 8,000 members in 90 chapters nationwide. The Southern Nevada chapter formed in 1990.

Debuting this year is the Rising Star Award, which was presented to Irene Bustamante, director of diversity relations at MGM Mirage, who was presented with an engraved silver shooting star. The other finalist was La Sonia Samuel Maxey, community relations officer for Nevada, Citibank (West) FSB. Nominees for this award must be an entrepreneur or business executive between the ages of 21 and 35. The winner is selected by a committee of past presidents of the group.

Etched crystal vases were presented to the following Women of Distinction honorees: Supreme Court Justice Deborah Agosti, government; Dr. Heather J. Allen, medical director of the adult division of the Hemophilia Treatment Centers of Las Vegas, medicine; Selma Bartlett, executive vice president/regional president of Bank West of Nevada, banking; Jenny DesVaux Oakes, assistant vice president, public and community relations, Sierra Health Services, community service; Dara J. Goldsmith of Goldsmith & Guymon law office, philanthropy; Marie Hamilton, president of AMNET, insurance.

Also, Kim Moore, president/chief executive officer of The Karmik Group, minority women; Diane Radunz, managing director of Resources Connection, accounting; Debbie Sommese, president of Alphagraphics, convention services; Judi Steele, president and chief professional officer of the Clark County Public Education Foundation, education; Michele D. Tell, CEO of Preferred Public Relations & Marketing, communications; Cynthia Throm, president/CEO of Employers Benefits Design, entrepreneurs; and Marilyn Winn, senior vice president/general manager, Harrah's Las Vegas/Rio, gaming.

At the evening's conclusion, the Glass Ceiling Award went to Dr. Christine Petersen, vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer, Sierra Health Services. The other finalists were Jackie K. DeLaney, president/CEO of Sun West Bank, and Renee West, president and COO, Primm Valley Resorts. The winner received a piece of jewelry from M.J. Christensen Diamond Centers.

Assisting Jones in distributing the awards was Punam Mathur of MGM Mirage.

Ritzy dinner: The Junior League of Las Vegas celebrated its 58th anniversary with a "Celebrity Waiter Goes Ritzy Retro" dinner and auction Saturday evening at the MGM Grand Events Conference Center.

The event honored university Regent Thalia Dondero with a Lifetime Achievement Award, an etched crystal obelisk.

Members and guests began the evening with a silent auction for prizes such as breakfast at the Coffee Pub with Gov. Kenny Guinn and martinis at the Ice House with Mayor Oscar Goodman.

The reception was quite lively with a scavenger hunt and golfers participated in a Putt-Off on the green. Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley impersonators posed for pictures as they mingled with the crowd.

The evening's emcees were Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt and Jon Halbur of "Folies Bergere."

Dondero's family members in attendance included daughters Marilyn Loop and husband Rich Loop of Las Vegas and Judy Habershaw of Kanab, Utah; sons Nick and Joan Dondero of Wisconsin, Mike Dondero and Rob Dondero of Las Vegas; and two of her 15 grandchildren, Amy and Lindsay Loop.

Rob Dondero introduced a video about his mother, who joined Service League of Las Vegas (now Junior League) in 1945. She became the league's ninth president. Dondero also served as executive director for the Girl Scout Council of Las Vegas and is a recipient of the Girl Scouts of America's highest national award for service.

Dondero was the first woman elected to the Clark County Commission and is serving her second term on the University Board of Regents.

Nazy Habibian was chairwoman of the event, assisted by Monterey Brookman, Nita Stern, Angie Jester McMurtrie and Kelly O'Hanlan-Fain. Dancing concluded the evening.

New award: The Opus Society of Opera Las Vegas had its inaugural "Citizen of Note" luncheon Feb. 28 at Spanish Trail Country Club. Opus Society President Marilyn Moss presented Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt with the first Citizen of Note award for her dedication to building tourism in Nevada.

Gayle Anderson, chief of protocol and director of international trade for Nevada, introduced notable dignitaries including Sigrid Sommer, German honorary consul, and her husband, George Goldson; Lia Roberts, honorary consul of Romania; Paula Sparkhul, honorary consul of Chile; Berenice Rendon, consul of Mexico; and Kathleen Blakley, president of the Japan American Society.

Other attendees included Municipal Court Judge Betsy Kolkowski, Gayle Rodgers of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce and Ana Oreana of the El Salvadoran Foundation.

Opera Las Vegas board members in attendance were President John Krieger, Joyce LaGrange, Gloria Allen, Allen Kimbrough, Maureen Hullin, Alvida Lane and Judy Moore.

Guests were greeted by the melodic tones of singer/guitarist Robert Clink of Los Angeles as they arrived at the event. Opera singers Marco Varela and Christine Seitz were accompanied by pianist Gary Thomas. Seitz is the new director of the Opera Theatre at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.