LVGEA Welcomes New Board Members to Drive Economic Diversification and Growth

Dr. Renee Coffman | Roseman University of Health Sciences

Dr. Renee Coffman is president and co-founder of the Nevada College of Pharmacy, now Roseman University of Health Sciences. Dr. Koffman previously served as the University’s Executive Vice President for Quality Assurance and Intercampus Consistency and the Dean of its College of Pharmacy. Prior to establishing Roseman University, Dr. Coffman was a founding member of the pharmacy faculty at Western University of Health Sciences, where she also held the position of Facilitative Officer for Student Services. While at Western, Dr. Coffman and four colleagues received Honorable Mention for the AACP Innovations in Teaching Awards.

“I’m thrilled to join the LVGEA Board and collaborate with the LVGEA team and members to strengthen and expand the Las Vegas economy,” said Dr. Coffman. “Roseman University of Health Sciences plays a key role in supporting LVGEA’s mission by positively impacting healthcare workforce development and by contributing to the valley’s nascent biotechnology collaborative with state-of-the-art research laboratories and PhD faculty researchers in biomedical sciences. I’m looking forward to doing what I can to help our community advance through economic expansion and increased connectivity which will enhance the vibrance and sustainability of the region long-term.”

Miles Dickson | Nevada GrantLab

Miles Dickson is CEO of Nevada GrantLab, a nonprofit he founded in 2020 with a mission to support nonprofits and their government partners to successfully access and administer federal grants that benefit Nevadans and strengthen their organizations. Prior to GrantLab, Miles was a go-to consultant for local government and nonprofit organizations for more than a decade, and also worked briefly as Chief of Staff in the Nevada State Treasurer’s Office. Dickson is a third-generation Nevadan who has a law degree from UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law. 

“From building affordable housing and increasing access to quality healthcare to improving student outcomes and training our workforce, nonprofit organizations are vital partners in building a stronger, more inclusive economy and community,” said Dickson. “Nevada GrantLab is proud to support LVGEA and join its Board of Directors as we work collectively to make the future of our region even brighter.”

Nikki Fargas | Las Vegas Aces

Nikki Fargas has served as the President of the Las Vegas Aces since May 2021. Prior to joining the Aces, Fargas led the Louisiana State University (LSU) Women’s Basketball team to 6 NCAA tournament appearances, becoming the second-winningest coach at LSU. Fargas is a founding member of the Black Student Athlete Association at LSU. Actively involved, she serves on the board of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, Advancement of Blacks in Sports, and the Women of Color Coaches Network. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

“I’m excited to be a part of the LVGEA board because it allows me to contribute to shaping the future of our region by supporting initiatives that drive economic growth, create new opportunities, and enhance the quality of life for our community,” said Fargas. “Being involved in economic development means playing a role in fostering innovation, attracting new businesses, and ensuring sustainable success for Southern Nevada.”

Dr. William Kibler | College of Southern Nevada

Dr. William Kibler is the Acting President of the College of Southern Nevada. He served at Mississippi State University, Texas A&M University and the University of Florida. His professional experiences include serving as a founding board member and president of both the Association for Student Conduct Administration and the International Center for Academic Integrity.

“It is critical that the College of Southern Nevada keep up with the needs of business and industry in our region, and the LVGEA is the key to our success,” said Dr. Kibler. “By leading the way in Southern Nevada’s economic development efforts, the LVGEA allows us to develop programs to train key workers. The growth of our Advanced Manufacturing career pathway and the creation of our Logistics Automation & Integration Technician training program, for example, is based on the growth and introduction of these industries in southern Nevada, lead in part by the entry of Haas Automation into the market. I’m thrilled to be part of the team.”

M.J. Maynard | Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada

M.J. Maynard is the Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). RTC is the only agency nationwide that is responsible for public transportation, traffic management, roadway and construction funding, and regional and transportation planning – all under one roof.

“I’m proud to join the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance Board of Directors and collaborate on efforts that drive economic growth and enhance mobility in Southern Nevada. As our region continues to grow, it’s more important now than ever to invest in smart solutions that support workforce development to ensure a strong future for our community.”

Tom Power | Sunshine Minting, Inc.

Tom Power is the President & CEO of Sunshine Minting, Inc. With over 30 years of experience in the precious metals and minting fields, Power has led Sunshine Minting since 2007. During his tenure as its strategic leader, the company has expanded from a small regional supplier to a large multinational corporation and relocated from Idaho to Henderson, Nev. The company now employs over 300 people with operations in the United States and China, serving a number of the world’s largest sovereign Mints, distributors, and financial institutions.

“I am thrilled to a member of the LVGEA 50 Board of Directors! The LVGEA has been instrumental in working with my company since 2018 and our efforts to expand into Southern Nevada. I am looking forward to working closely with the Board in assisting other companies in discovering the many benefits of doing business in the Greater Las Vegas area.”

Kim Sonerholm is President and Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare for Nevada, Utah, and Idaho with responsibilities across commercial, individual, and Medicaid businesses. She has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry and has held many leadership roles across the healthcare continuum from network contracting to sales/account management. Most of her career has been spent in Las Vegas where she joined Sierra Health Services in 1993 and stayed on following the acquisition by UnitedHealthcare to continue to expand into roles in the larger organization.

“I am excited and honored to be joining the LVGEA board made up of individuals representing the key employers and agencies in Southern Nevada,” said Sonerholm. “Growing up and raising my family in Southern Nevada, I am personally aligned with LVGEA’s mission to continue to expand and grow our economy to ensure the future success of the Las Vegas Valley. I look forward to collaborating with other leaders in the healthcare industry to address the challenges we face in access to care where we routinely rank toward the bottom.”