Influential locals describe their march to power

The Southern Nevada economy is struggling, but opportunities to become a leader in the business community have not evaporated along with the jobs market. Local power players say Las Vegas is still a great place to rise to the top.

Gaining stature and influence in the city isn't as hard as people might think. One advantage is relatively easy access to political and community leaders. Sweat equity in a campaign, joining a professional group or taking a leadership course offered by a local chamber of commerce can lead to elbow-rubbing with senators or CEOs.

Newcomers have the chance to jump right in. Unlike cities such as New York and Chicago, where reputations are often built over decades -- or even centuries -- of family achievement, a new Las Vegas resident can quickly establish themselves and prepare for upward mobility.

"A lot of people come in here and become a leader right away," former Nevada Sen. Richard Bryan said.

Bryan, political consultant Sig Rogich and Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager Pat Mulroy are among those who've made the march to the highest echelon of state influence. They join former Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, Senior Federal Judge Lloyd George and others in telling just how it can be done.

A number of the most prominent Las Vegans today hail from humble beginnings. Sig Rogich was born in Iceland. His family moved to the valley when he was a boy and lived in public housing. Rogich grew up watching his father work at the Titanium Metals Corp. plant, but had other plans for his life. Sig Rogich was a millionaire by the time he was in his 30s.

Rogich is credited with helping to get presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush elected, along with a string of Nevada Republican governors, including Paul Laxalt, Kenny Guinn and Jim Gibbons. The king maker, now 65, is a founder of R&R Partners and owner of Rogich Communications. He credited the community for his ability to make connections as a young unknown.

"People helping me out along the way, that had a big impact," he said. "I remember everybody who called me back. I return everyone's calls."

Giving back to the community sounds cliché, but Rogich is a firm believer in the power it holds to shape one's reputation.

"Become active in the community," he advises. "I didn't join many (social) groups. Early in my career, I helped the Boys and Girls Club and HELP, a volunteer action committee that helps people in need."

GIVING AND RECEIVING

Supporting charities is one of the best ways to build a name as a community leader. Rogich urges others to get involved in something they have a passion for, but assures professional benefits will follow. He pointed to Opportunity Village as an example of an organization that attracts a lot of well-known Las Vegans.

Bruce Woodbury, a former longtime Clark County commissioner, has headed many charities. Now with the Jolley Urga Wirth Woodbury Standish law firm, he believes social and business connections are best when they evolve naturally.

"Whether you are involved with the Special Olympics, Opportunity Village, the Rotary Club or groups to help the homeless, you have to do it for the right reasons."

Nevadans have long found community service clubs an indirect route to notoriety. Bryan recalls his days as a young lawyer, giving his time to the Jaycees, Lions Club International and the Elks Lodge.

"The service clubs a decade ago were clearly the way to get involved; now it is a lot more diverse," Bryan said.

Judge Lloyd George, now 80, has been active in causes close to his heart. One of those is Opportunity Village. George's motivation was his son Doug, who was born with a disability. The younger George was trained and employed by Opportunity Village. The judge also served on the board of the Las Vegas Philharmonic.

Lloyd George's charitable works have landed him quite a few accolades. He recognizes the unintended side effects of his generosity.

"I have been a recipient of a lot of honors, the presidential citation from Brigham Young University and the (University of California,) Berkeley Award for Service," he said of honors by his alma maters. "Things like that bring a lot of attention to you. That provides opportunities."

Devoting time to organizations directly connected to your profession is important, Bryan said. A Realtor, for example, should join a group like the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors and do more than simply pay dues.

"You get on the board, you get to be president, and you get to go to Washington, D.C., when Congress has a Realtor day," he said. "You might get a chance to go to Carson City and testify before the (Nevada) Legislature."

Pat Mulroy never has much time to spare in her roles as head of the water authority and a mother of two, but she does join groups that have ties water issues. Her memberships include the Colorado River Water Users Association and American Water Works Association.

She has found time for fewer drier organizations, such as Nevada Public Radio, the UNLV College of Math and Science and the Desert Research Institute.

"Social networking, I just kept that down to a dull roar," she said.

POLITICALLY CORRECT

A trickier point is gauging the need for political involvement.

It's certainly not something Rogich would discourage. "It gives you access to elected officials," he said.

Bryan recalls a small-businessman who helped with his campaigns. Later, that man retired to Mesquite.

"I got a call from him the other night," he said. "Sure. I'll take his call. I remember him."

Bryan advises people to make themselves noticeable while campaigning for someone, the way the man from Mesquite did. That way, the politician won't be struggling to remember them years later.

"I can't remember everybody who worked on my campaigns," admits Bryan, who is now a lawyer with Lionel Sawyer Collins.

Woodbury, who left the County Commission last year because of term limits, now sits on the board of the Las Vegas Monorail. He has seen the bad side of political influence. He watched the legal woes of so many of his fellow county commissioners.

Some went to federal prison, but Woodbury had a reputation as Mr. Clean.

"I believe in the saying that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely," Woodbury said. "You'd better be in this position for the right reason."

And political contributions or involvement need not be the key to success, Bryan said.

"There are a lot of people who are industry leaders who aren't involved in politics."

CONNECTIONS EVERYWHERE

Surprisingly, Woodbury made many valuable professional connections coaching little league sports for his children. Mulroy networked through her children's schools, St. Viator Catholic School and Bishop Gorman High School.

"I never set out to network, but I was a Bishop Gorman Drama Momma and a soccer mom," she said.

She encourages other mothers to follow her lead. "All of the schools have a mothers' group. Find one."

Even places of worship were mentioned for their potential contacts.

Woodbury says that's OK, as long as your motivation is pure.

"You need to be involved because of your beliefs and you feel a spiritual connection with God," Woodbury said. "And then it makes sense to be involved in a religious organization. The affiliations come naturally."

The still-maturing atmosphere of Las Vegas provides ample chances to make your mark. But that does not mean you have to become a household name.

Andy Abboud has been instrumental in improving The Venetian's public image during his 11 years as Las Vegas Sands Corp.'s vice president of government relations and community development. He moved to town for the job and prefers the low-key approach.

"I think it is critical to be involved in your chambers of commerce, charity food bank," Abboud said. "But I think the key to having respect in the business community is your relationships outside the public eye."

Contact reporter Valerie Miller at vmiller @lvbusinesspress.com or 702-387-5286.