Newsmakers, Feb. 18-24

Trial lawyer Robert Eglet, partner in the Las Vegas-based law firm Eglet Wall Christiansen Trial Attorneys, 400 S. Seventh St., was named Trial Lawyer of the Year by the National Trial Lawyers Association on Jan. 20.

The National Trial Lawyers Association promotes excellence for trial lawyers through professional development, education and networking. Eglet was honored at the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Trial Lawyers Summit in Miami.

Eglet has also been awarded the National Lawyer of the Year in 2010 by Lawyers USA and Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2005 and 2012 by the Nevada Justice Association, the only person to win it twice.

Las Vegas resident Keith Johnson was selected as a winner in the Tylenol Holiday Heroes Facebook contest. His story, submitted by his wife, Sharon, was one of thousands nationwide. The contest invited participants to nominate someone who goes above and beyond to show others how much he cares. Sharon described Keith as a man who made the holidays special for his family by hanging Christmas lights despite having five broken ribs.

The Salvation Army announced that Maj. Kelly Pontsler will be serving as the Clark County Coordinator for the organization. With 28 years of service in Africa, Europe and in the United States Western Territory, Pontsler comes to Las Vegas following a 21/2-year assignment as Marion-Polk Counties Coordinator and Kroc Center Administrator for The Salvation Army, based in Salem, Ore. Pontsler will oversee all of the programs for The Salvation Army in Southern Nevada.

Las Vegas teen Jordan Livingston was born deaf, and at age 18, after receiving Cochlear implants that helped him hear, determined that he wanted to become an airline pilot. Livingston is now a licensed FAA private pilot and has also received his FAA Medical Certification. He is also one of only five students in North America to receive a college scholarship worth up to $8,000 from the Cochlear Americas Graeme Clark Scholarship Award. Now an aviation business administration major at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Ariz., Livingston wants to become a captain flying Boeing 737s for Southwest Airlines.

Air Force Airman Leo W. Tanja graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. He is a 2011 graduate of Desert Rose Adult High School.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Jonathan B. Cleghorn graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Cleghorn earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is a 2003 graduate of Palo Verde High School.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Nitiphon Pumpanean graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio.

Pumpanean is the son of Parichart Boyle of Gardena, Calif., and stepson of Billy Boyle of North Las Vegas. He is a 2012 graduate of Shadow Ridge High School.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon J. Myers graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Myers is the son of Shelley Cox of Waterloo, Iowa, and Sean Myers of Las Vegas.

Air Force Airman Christopher M. Ramos graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. He is a 2011 graduate of Cimarron-Memorial High School.

EXIT Realty Platinum Group announced that Heather Mongie has been named Ambassador for the Metro Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber Ambassadors are a group of experienced chamber members who help new members acclimate to their new membership. Ambassadors host the Chamber’s Business After Hours, membership networking opportunities available for all levels of Chamber members.

EXIT Realty Platinum Group, 3230 S. Buffalo Drive, Suite 106, recently hosted the Christmas en el Barrio Toy Drive 2013 for students at Williams Elementary School, 3000 E. Tonopah Ave.

The goal was providing more than 1,000 children with toys this year. EXIT Realty Platinum Group joined forces with the National Latino Peace Officers Association, Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly, G. Dallas Horton & Associates and more to surpass that goal.

Technovation Solutions, an integration center showcasing its members’ and partners’ technology solutions in a simulated end-user lab setting, announced Jan. 21 that Scot Campbell, vice president connectivity and communications at Caesars Entertainment, has been selected to chair Technovation’s Board of Advisors.

Technovation Solutions’ Board of Advisors is composed of CIOs and IT executives representing major hotel, casino, gaming and other hospitality organizations. Campbell will lead the group in providing direction on the most pressing issues in the industry.

Quang T. Nguyen, DO, of Las Vegas recently passed the American Board of Obesity Medicine certification exam for obesity medicine physicians and became certified in the subspecialty of obesity medicine.

Physicians certified in obesity medicine are able to positively affect all systems of the body by incorporating weight management into traditional models of medical practice.

Nguyen was among 158 physicians nationally who successfully completed this year’s exam.

Simri Bautista and Alexis Gollaz, both of the East Career & Technical Academy, and Caroline Benton of the Veterans Tribute Career & Technical Academy, are set to receive the 2014 Horatio Alger State Scholarship. These annual scholarships recognize outstanding students, who, in the face of adversity, have exhibited commitment to continuing their education and serving their communities.