State DMV chief announces retirement

CARSON CITY -- Ginny Lewis, head of the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles since 2001 and a 29-year veteran of the agency, plans to retire effective Dec. 12, Gov. Jim Gibbons said Friday.

Lewis started with the DMV in 1979 as an administrative aide. She was appointed DMV chief by former Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Her decision to step down is the latest in a series of changes involving high-level officials in Gibbons' administration.

Earlier this month, state Tourism Director Tim Maland resigned after less than two years on the job.

In June, Michael Dayton was replaced by Josh Hicks as Gibbons' chief of staff; and Dianne Cornwall left her post as Gibbons' chief operating officer to run the Department of Business and Industry. Mendy Elliott, who was running that agency, became Gibbons' deputy staff chief.

Earlier in the year, Phil Galeto stepped down as director of the state Department of Public Safety; and Tony Lesperance, a rancher who had a key role in an anti-federal government crusade in eastern Nevada a decade ago, replaced Donna Rise as head of the state Agriculture Department.