The Voice of Business. Standing Up For You, Every Day.
Overall, the Vegas Chamber is the voice for your business in government. It fights for your business every day, actively developing and promoting policy positions on critical issues impacting the business community, as well as continuously asserting its role as the leading business organization in the state on your behalf at all levels of government.
A common sense approach to good governance considers:
- Is the problem truly in need of a legislative or government solution?
- What are the long-term ramifications and unintended consequences of the proposal?
- Will it help or harm employers, small businesses, job creation, or the economic climate?
Common sense matters in governance because it demonstrates to constituents that lawmakers are focused on the big picture; are open-minded and transparent; and want to address issues that are truly problematic.
To download: Why Common Sense Matters, click here.
Vegas Chamber Washington D.C. Fly-In 2023
Join the Vegas Chamber for its annual trip to Washington, D.C. This year’s Fly-in will be September 17-22.
This year’s trip will be comprised of meetings with Congressional members, think tanks, national trade organizations, and policy groups. We will also be hosting several receptions during the trip to further build relationships with Congressional leadership and to strengthen existing connections.
Don’t miss out, join your fellow Chamber members and business leaders in Washington, D.C. and help make a difference.
To check out the video Las Vegas in DC 2022 Recap at LV IN DC 2022 RECAP – YouTube
The Vegas Chamber’s Government Affairs team:
- Promotes policy priorities that support the expansion of business and job creation
- Protects employers
- Commissions thorough, ongoing policy reports and research
- Furthers economic development initiatives and activities
A fundamental component of the Vegas Chamber’s mission is to advocate the views of the business community to our elected officials. This is done by engaging elected officials in meaningful policy discussions on your behalf. The Government Affairs team identifies, develops, and recommends policy to the Government Affairs Committee. The committee is a dynamic volunteer committee of Vegas Chamber leaders who meet monthly to guide the Vegas Chamber in its public policy positions, such as representing the best interests of business through candidate endorsements, contributions, and grassroots campaign support.
Government Affairs Team
The Government Affairs team keeps you informed of important issues facing your business through newsletters, policy reports, political events, and policy committee meetings. With more than 50 years of combined public policy and advocacy experience on staff, the Vegas Chamber’s Government Affairs team are experts in your corner every day. Feel free to reach out to the team with any questions you may have.
Paul J. Moradkhan – Senior Vice President of Government Affairs
Dylan Keith – Assistant Director of Government Affairs
Erica Valdriz – Manager of Political Affairs and Fundraising
Trevor Parrish – Manager of Government Affairs
Nicholas Schneider – Government Affairs Analyst
Phone: 702.641.5822
Government Affairs Committee Members
The Vegas Chamber’s legislative and policy priorities are developed by its Government Affairs Committee. This is a group of Vegas Chamber members who analyze issues and make determinations that guide the Vegas Chamber’s positioning on matters to promote fiscal responsibility at the state and local government levels, improve our education system, and strengthen the business environment and economy in Southern Nevada. The committee also makes decisions regarding endorsements of candidates and political contributions.
- Hugh Anderson, Chairman, Government Affairs Committee, Hightower Las Vegas
- Paul Anderson, Chairman, Board of Trustees Boyd Gaming Corporation
- Robert Novotny, Chairman-Elect, Skyracer Consulting
- Michael Feder, Immediate Past Chair, Board of Trustees, Dickinson Wright
- Gina Bongiovi, Bongiovi Law Firm
- Michael Britt, Red Rock Resorts, Inc
- Michael Bolognini, MFB Enterprises
- Mark Brown, Miracle Flights
- MaryKaye Cashman
- Tim Cashman, The Cashman Companies
- Lisa de Marigny, Omni Limousine, Inc.
- J.T. Foley, Las Vegas Sands
- Betsy Fretwell, Switch
- Craig S. Galati, LGA, Inc.
- Jason Gray, MGM Resorts International
- Keith Hansen, Allegiant Travel Company
- Dave Howell, Wells Fargo
- Karlos LaSane, Caesars Entertainment Corp.
- Chad Leavitt, Findlay Automotive Group
- Scott Leedom, Southwest Gas
- Todd Mason, Wynn Resorts
- Meghan McLean Fair, Anderson, & Langerman
- Erin McMullen Midby, Vice Chair, Government Affairs Committee, Boyd Gaming Corporation
- George F. Ogilvie III, Esq., McDonald Carano LLP
- John O’Reilly, O’Reilly Law Group
- Damon Schilling, AMR/Medic West
- Greta Seidman, Opportunity 180
- Jennifer Simich, Republic Services
- Craig Stevens, Cox Communications
- Judy Stokey, NV Energy
- Todd Sklamberg, Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center
- Ted Wiens, Jr., Ted Wiens Tire & Auto
The Rundown Newsletter: Legislative Session Edition
The Rundown is the Vegas Chamber’s way of getting you involved in all legislative happenings at the local, state and federal levels of government. This weekly digital newsletter will give you the inside scoop on what legislation the Vegas Chamber is currently working on, on the behalf of our Chamber members. Through this newsletter, you will learn about the bills we are supporting and opposing as well as how you can get involved in advocating for your business. Whether you are a legislative expert or just getting in the game, this newsletter will help you all the same. Gain a greater perspective of what the Vegas Chamber’s legislative stances are and what we are doing directly to support your business.
Featured President's Club Members
Luan Pham
Byrna Technologies, Inc.
Vikas Khorana
Ntooitive Digital
President, CTO, & Co-founder
As president, CTO and co-founder, Vikas Khorana oversees all Ntooitive Digital technology implementations, including onboarding, integration, and development. Vikas architects proprietary solutions that incorporate AI and ML to deliver cutting-edge business intelligence to clients and partners. Before co-founding Ntooitive, a marketing technology company and two-time Inc. 5000 honoree, he held a variety of senior engineering positions with Stephens Media in Las Vegas. Vikas was recently invited into the Forbes Technology Council to share his key knowledge and experience. He has been featured in industry trade publications such as MarTech Series, MediaPost, Inc., TechTarget, and SUCCESS.
Kara Kelley
Kelley Company
CEO
Kara Kelley is a proven CEO with expertise in business and political strategy as well as marketing, media relations and organizational leadership skills. As the former CEO of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Kelley led the organization to become Nevada’s most influential business association. Kelley has built a reputation as a tireless advocate for business and free enterprise and was one of only 120 business leaders to be invited by President Barack Obama to participate in his 2009 Jobs Summit. As president of The Kelley Co., Kelley advises companies on branding, business strategy and organizational development.
Damon Schilling
American Medical Response
Manager
Damon Schilling is Manager of Government Affairs for AMR / MedicWest Las Vegas. A Las Vegas native, he began his career at Southwest Ambulance in 2003. He worked in the dispatch center while attending paramedic school, completing his internship in 2007. Since then, Damon has held various roles within the organization. Damon served as the Community Relations Coordinator for AMR and MedicWest prior to his current position. Damon will soon graduate from Nevada State College with a BA in Business Administration.
