Hector Fernandez, CEO of Aristocrat Gaming and LVGEA board member, shares his inspiring journey from Guatemala to Los Angeles. His mother’s sacrifices enabled him to attend a private school, shaping his path to success.

Hector attended Claremont McKenna College and discovered his passion for business through an internship at Ernst & Young. He believes in the importance of skills, leadership, personal sacrifices, and luck. He emphasizes excelling in one skill and building a solid team.

At Aristocrat Gaming, he promotes a "people first, business second" philosophy. He discusses adapting during COVID-19, labor shortages, and workplace diversity. A Las Vegas enthusiast, he highlights the need for better education and healthcare and aligning educational programs with industry needs.

In his free time, Hector enjoys traveling with his family, sports, and learning to take more time for himself. He values money for security and advises young people to choose the right life partner for success.

Aristocrat:
https://aristocrat.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/AristocratExternalCareersSite

Shannon Petersen, Executive Vice President at Nevada State Bank and a board member of LVGEA, began her journey in a small Northern California town. She discovered her passion for economics and finance while studying at UC Santa Cruz. Shannon's banking career took off unexpectedly during her thesis work at the Federal Reserve Bank in San Francisco, laying the foundation for her leadership at Nevada State Bank.

In her role as Corporate Banking Manager, Shannon leads teams that provide essential financial services to large businesses across Nevada. Her focus is on loans, money management, and fraud prevention. She is dedicated to nurturing future banking leaders through educational initiatives and internal development programs.

Amid today's job market challenges, Shannon emphasizes the importance of preparing local talent from an early age and supports community sustainability efforts. She believes Nevada State Bank is crucial in shaping Southern Nevada's future by investing in the community.

Outside of work, Shannon cherishes family time, roots for local sports teams, attends concerts, and loves traveling. Her leadership is defined by passion, integrity, and mentorship. She inspires young professionals to pursue their passions and work diligently for personal and professional success.

Shannon highlights Southern Nevada's diverse opportunities beyond tourism, advocating for collaboration and celebrating community achievements while striving to enhance the region's quality of life and affordability.

Nevada State Bank:
https://www.nsbank.com/business/

Vince Ciminise, Senior Vice President and Commercial Loan Manager for Valley Bank of Nevada and a Vegas Chamber Board of Trustees member, joins the show to share his journey from studying accounting to a successful banking career. He highlights his role at Valley Bank, managing a team responsible for generating new business and supporting small businesses with loans and financial advice. He discusses the challenges of recruiting and retaining talent and the impact of competitive wages on staffing.

Vince emphasizes the importance of the Vegas Chamber's support for small businesses and mentions the upcoming DC Fly-In event. He advises young professionals to work hard, be reliable, and continuously learn. In his downtime, Vince walks five miles daily for mental clarity.

Bank of Nevada:
Valley Bank of Nevada (valleybanknv.com)

For Business Needs:
Business Banking Services | Valley Bank of Nevada (valleybanknv.com)

For inquiries or collaboration, Vince’s contact:
VSiminesi@valleybanknv.com