Economic development chief resigns

CARSON CITY -- The chief of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development has cleared out his desk after being asked to resign by Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki.

Tim Rubald, commission director since mid-2005, said Krolicki, who oversees the state's economic development efforts, requested that he leave his job, which pays just over $100,000 yearly.

"I asked him to do what was in the best interests of Tim Rubald," Krolicki said when asked for comment. "It was his decision to make.

"Tim submitted his resignation. I accepted it, but Tim bas been just a champion for the state's efforts to diversify its economy, and I'm grateful for his service," Krolicki added.

Rubald said he wasn't given a reason for the resignation request, and Krolicki declined to say whether the request was a result of a months-long review to determine whether the economic development agency is doing all it can to market Nevada.

Jerry Sandstrom, the agency's deputy director, will take over on an acting basis.

Krolicki said the ongoing review by the seven commissioners who direct the agency's methods for expanding business activity in the state has shown that Nevada is in "a very difficult climate for economic development in the Western United States."

"We want the best, and we need to crank our efforts up multiple notches," he added.