The Ferraro Group - Public Relations & Public Affairs

• Issues Management
  The Ferraro Group manages public policy issues for corporations, coalitions, associations and individuals whose interests are affected by legislative, executive, and regulatory bodies. We work with clients to develop integrated strategic plans that are focused and consistent, to frame debates, and to deliver compatible messages to a broad range of constituencies. Our team is skilled at managing integrated communications programs around high-profile issues affecting clients' interests. From media relations and opinion leader activities to preparing clients for legislative testimony, our staff has wide-ranging experience immersed in a broad range of complex issues.
• Coalition Building
  The Ferraro Group has a proven track record of creating and managing coalition efforts. We work with clients to activate key constituencies and communities in public debate around policymaking decisions. We create compelling messages and strategies that are rooted in research to energize grassroots support for advocacy efforts. Our programs identify potential allies, opinion leaders and credible third-party spokespeople who can best communicate a clear and credible message to decision-makers. The Ferraro Group has created and successfully led coalition efforts in multiple issue disciplines with an emphasis in education, energy, health care and non-profits.
• Advocacy
  Elected officials want to know there is public support for the positions they take - our job is to help you create that support and maximize it. From a bill in the State Legislature to a vote being taken on a local zoning decision to a regulatory action, the size and effectiveness of any advocacy effort can have a big impact on the outcome.
• Campaign Planning & Management
  At the start of any campaign planning project, The Ferraro Group works with clients to define exactly what the objective is. Whom do we want to reach? What do we want them to know and understand? From there, we build innovative, creative and measurable communications programs to achieve results.
  
  Research and collaboration are at the center of our work to develop high-impact public education campaigns. We work closely with our partners to conduct research that informs our strategic recommendations and implementation. Additionally, we harness the strategic insights and recommendations of professionals across our network that have the right experience for the assignment at hand.
  
  The Ferraro Group develops creative platforms to break through the clutter of today's crowded media landscape, capture the attention of key audiences, and mobilize people to take action.  We also explore who the right partners and advocates are to advance our clients' objectives, as well as how to leverage media relations and interactive strategies.
  
  We firmly believe in measurable outcomes and applying the right combination of qualitative and quantitative metrics to track our progress and measure results.
• Partnerships
  At The Ferraro Group, we believe in the power of strategic partnerships to achieve public education and communications objectives.  The right partner can amplify messages, offer access to communications channels, provide platforms for reaching key audiences, and motivate people to take action.  In building strong relationships, we focus on how groups can work together toward mutually beneficial objectives. Our team has worked on behalf of a range of clients to build partnerships and implement outreach and media relations programs that advance partners' shared interests.
• Community Outreach
  We know how to build and manage communications programs that reach, inform and motivate audiences at the community level.  In designing public education campaigns and outreach efforts, we focus on engaging the right spokespeople and trusted allies to deliver meaningful and persuasive messages.  We manage integrated programs including media outreach, community events, interactive communications, and advertising, to reach key audiences as diverse as students, parents, business leaders, and senior citizens.

• Public Relations
  Savvy consumers today want to be communicated with, not marketed at. Blogging, texting, and social networking are quickly becoming the way people make decisions.
  
  At The Ferraro Group, our public relations team not only employs hard-hitting campaigns to conventional media, we reach out through new media to communicate with our clients’ audiences as well.
• Media Relations
  We know how the media work and understand how to frame clients' issues to drive news coverage. We have extensive experience working with regional, national, international and trade media.
  
  Our team includes several former journalists and highly skilled media relations practitioners who regularly work with print, broadcast and online media.
• Events
  Whether it’s an intimate gathering of stakeholders or a public concert with media and corporate sponsorships, The Ferraro Group is poised to make any kind of event a success.
  
  We know how to plan the kind of special event that will meaningfully build profile or rejuvenate public image. Our services include garnering sponsorships, supplementing development activities, composing a public relations strategy, establishing a media identity, coordinating vendors, hiring the best catering company for the event and developing a precise production schedule to make sure the program is flawless.
• Media Training
  Our media training program is comprehensive and flexible, offering spokespeople strategic message solutions that promote and sustain strong reputations.
  
  We offer a detailed examination of the techniques that can enhance every interview and a series of simulated, taped interviews that enable spokespeople to practice those techniques and become increasingly adept at delivering their messages effectively in interview situations. We offer half-day and full-day sessions for individuals, as well as for both small and large groups.
• Communications Services
  We offer media relations, event management, graphic design and online communications services in-house. We frame issues and events to capture the attention of journalists, develop highly successful media outreach programs, design and build award winning websites and create graphic identities – including logos and materials.
• Crisis Communication
  When a crisis hits in today's business and economic climate, the wrong reaction, the slightest misstatement, the lack of preparation, or a misunderstanding of the situation can have a catastrophic effect on an organization's reputation and bottom line. Often extensive preparation is not always possible and not always sufficient to navigate successfully through a crisis.
  
  Clients need both meticulous preparation for the events that can be foreseen and fast and smart responses for the events that unfold, predictable or not. Providing both is The Ferraro Group’s core strength. Our team works with clients to plan and anticipate crises, as well as to manage unexpected crisis situations. We have worked on issues ranging from legal disputes, to plant accidents to labor unrest on a worksite.
• Litigation Communication and Reputation Management
  Increasingly, legal battles are being fought – and won or lost – in the court of public opinion long before lawyers see the inside of a courtroom. Without a careful and coherent litigation communication strategy, even legal victory can be prohibitively costly in terms of company or product reputation.
  
  An effective public communications strategy must be coordinated with a legal strategy. The Ferraro Group’s litigation communication experience makes them uniquely sensitive to the concerns of in-house and outside counsel. We know how lawyers work and we are familiar with the protocols of building a legal case. Our specialty is translating the arcane, confusing, and complicated elements of legal actions into messages that are heard, understood, and remembered outside the courtroom.
  
  In these sensitive areas, most of our client relationships are confidential, and, indeed, many of our greatest successes are those issues that were so successfully managed that they never gained any traction in the media.
• Corporate Social Responsibility
  Leading companies once saw corporate social responsibility as optional. In today's environment, it has become an essential element of reputation, image and brand. The Ferraro Group has extensive experience in conceptualizing and implementing corporate social responsibility and strategic philanthropy programs.
  
  We work with clients to develop programs that demonstrate leadership on key social issues and strengthen their relationships with stakeholders, including consumers, employees, investors, media, policymakers and opinion leaders. Our primary focus is on designing pro-active, sustainable programs that communicate our clients’ standing as socially responsible industry leaders.
• Executive Visibility
  The Ferraro Group has developed and managed thought-leadership programs on behalf of corporate, nonprofit and government executives. As part of any clients’ communications efforts, we implement media outreach efforts about company executives that connect them with top print, broadcast and online journalists.
• Interactive Services
  The Ferraro Group works hand-in-hand with clients to develop innovative campaigns and Web sites that build relationships with online audiences.
  
  We amplify messages and inspire consumer action. Along with our partners, we build sites that help companies forge relationships with audiences to achieve their goals. This includes brand sites, press rooms, crisis/issues management sites, intranets/extranets and promotional sites.
• Social Media
  
  As more and more consumers are turning to platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and LinkedIN to make decisions and conduct personal business, companies must embrace the digital age and include social media and Web 2.0 tactics into their overall marketing plans. The Ferraro Group creates, implements and manages strategic and persuasive social media campaigns that keep our clients in front of their target audiences, gaining trust, credibility and loyalty among the online community.
  
  

• PUBLIC AFFAIRS
  
  • BMM Compliance
  • Centene Corporation
  • CenturyLink
  • Dacole
  • Employers
  • Frias Transportation
  • ING
  • JPMorgan Chase
  • Las Vegas Limousines
  • Majestic Realty
  • Nevada Resort Association
  • Northwest Territorial Mint
  • NV Energy
  • Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center
  • Select Management Resources
• PUBLIC RELATIONS
  • Airport Terminal Services
  • Applied Analysis
  • Blue Heron Properties
  • Colours, Inc.
  • Community Associations Institute
  • CupkatesLV
  • Datanamics
  • Desert Research Institute
  • Dunkin' Donuts, Las Vegas
  • EJM Development
  • Exhibit IQ
  • Foundation for Positively Kids
  • Helping Hands of Vegas Valley
  • IT Strategies
  • Jolley Urga Wirth Woodbury & Standish
  • Las Ventanas
  • Las Vegas Film Festival
  • Majestic Realty
  • Nathan Adelson Hospice
  • Nevada Development Authority
  • Nevada Energy Star Partners
  • Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development
  • Nevada Title Company
  • NetEffect
  • Northwest Territorial Mint
  • Sierra Colina
  • Vegas PBS

• PRO-BONO
  • Boys Town Nevada
  • Consensus, LLC
  • Diocese of Reno
  • E. L. Wiegand Foundation
  • Great Basin National Park Foundation
  • Helping Hands of Vegas Valley
  • J.T. McWilliams Elementary School
  • Junior League of Las Vegas
  • Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival
  • Morelli House 
  • Nature Conservancy
  • Nevada Gives
  • Nevada State Athletic Commission
  • Rainbow Dreams Academy
  • Step 2

• Past Collaborations
  • 500 Plus
  • Advanced Information Systems
  • America West Airlines
  • Aspire Cosmetic MedCenter
  • AT&T  
  • The Beckley Group
  • Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Nevada
  • City of Fallon, Nevada
  • Del Webb Companies
  • Elton’s
  • Glaser, Weil, Fink, Jacobs, Howard & Shapiro, LLC
  • JLH, Inc.  
  • Kerr-McGee
  • Liberty Dental of Nevada
  • Mellon Financial
  • Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro
  • National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
  • Nevada Neuroscience Foundation
  • Northern Nevada Discovery Museum
  • Northern Nevada Medical Center  
  • Procter and Gamble
  • Rainbow Medical Centers
  • Sage Community Group
  • SAP    
  • Southern Wine and Spirits
  • Sunstone Dental
  • The Liberace Museum
  • Valentino Las Vegas
  • Walker River Irrigation District
  • Washoe County School District
  • Western Folklife Center

New Study Provides Framework for Economic Progress in Nevada

(Carson City, Nev. – November 14, 2011) – In a step towards making a strategic and impactful advance in economic development in the state, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the Metropolitan Policy Program at The Brookings Institution, Brookings Mountain West, and SRI International  have released a report entitled, “Unify/Regionalize/Diversify: An Economic Development Agenda for Nevada.”

“This report is yet another building block in the new framework of our state’s serious economic development discussion and forthcoming action plan,” Governor Brian Sandoval said.  “I thank Brookings and SRI for their work to help us more effectively build a unified, regionally vibrant and diversified Nevada.”  

The study, released during today’s meeting of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the Board of Economic Development and the Advisory Council on Economic Development, analyzes Nevada’s strengths and the challenges ahead and makes recommendations for improving economic planning and development to help the state overcome its economic challenges and diversify its economy.

“We appreciate the report and the clear-eyed look at Nevada’s economy and the current economic development process,” said Steve Hill executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “We look forward to incorporating this information with continued input from Nevadans as we structure a State Economic Development Plan.”

“Unify/Regionalize/Diversify” is the result of an intense five-month inquiry that sought to define the nature of the economic challenges the state and its major regions face; identify industries and industry clusters that have the highest potential for expansion as part of an economic diversification effort; and suggest policy options that will enable the state, its regions and the private sector to work more effectively to build a more unified, regionally vibrant and diversified Nevada.

The analysis identifies industries and sub-industries that have the highest potential to restore growth and jobs, spawn innovation in core or emerging sectors, and drive economic diversification.

The study recommends Nevada focus its economic development activities on 30 target opportunities for growth, innovation and diversification in seven broad industries.

Key inputs to identifying the seven industries included insights of Nevada stakeholders (through interviews and focus groups), review of Nevada’s existing capacity and competitive advantages, research on national and global market trends, quantitative analysis of Nevada’s past and projected industry trends, and review of existing regional studies and analyses.

The seven industries revealed in the study are:
-    Tourism, Gaming, and Entertainment
-    Health and Medical Services
-    Business IT Ecosystems
-    Clean Energy
-    Mining, Materials, and Manufacturing
-    Logistics and Operations
-    Aerospace and Defense

According to the study, these industries and niches occur in unique mixes in the state’s regions and require a “bottom-up” approach to economic development. To unleash their potential for growth, the study recommends the state work to unify and align the state’s efforts through stronger leadership and more effective partnerships with its regional actors—including regional development authorities, strong non-profits, the state’s municipalities and education leaders.  The study also recommends the state “regionalize” its efforts to support regional initiatives and also set a platform for long-term diversification by investing in effective innovation and commercialization infrastructure; promoting global engagement; and aligning its education and workforce training efforts towards the identified industry opportunities.    

“Nevada doesn’t lack for assets and opportunities, but it needs to do a better job of aligning diverse efforts, supporting creative initiatives in the regions, and putting in place a platform of innovation efforts, global outreach, and workforce upgrading on which regional clusters and sectors can grow,”  said Mark Muro, a senior fellow at the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings and the lead author of the report.  “That’s why we are calling this agenda “Unify/Regionalize/Diversify.”

“There is a bipartisan consensus around the kind of growth agenda we’re recommending,” Muro said.  “It’s now a matter of seizing the opportunities.”

Overall, the study argues that the state possesses fundamental economic assets along with serious challenges as it seeks to build the next Nevada economy. In this regard, the report confirms that Nevada’s core strength for economic development has been and will remain its overall business-friendly environment, including low taxes and relatively low costs, along with its excellent airport infrastructure, global connections, and proximity to West Coast population centers. Key challenges include spotty economic planning and cooperation, a weak innovation and technology commercialization enterprise, and substantial workforce skills shortfalls.

The need now is to systematically leverage the state’s assets, address its challenges, and move to construct the next Nevada economy, firm by firm, job by job, innovator by innovator.

“We understand there is much work ahead, but Nevada is up to the challenge,” Hill said. “Our state is determined and we will work together to bring a vibrant economy back to Nevada.”

To this end, the full 175-page report—available at www.diversifynevada.com — provides some 37 recommendations organized under three major themes and across 10 strategies.

This report is part of the Brookings-Rockefeller Project on State and Metropolitan Innovation. This collaboration between the Metropolitan Policy Program at The Brookings Institution and the Rockefeller Foundation is working to present fiscally responsible state policies and practical metropolitan led solutions to policy-makers.  The work is also supported by the Lincy Foundation and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas through Brookings Mountain West.  SRI International’s participation was made possible by the Office of the Secretary of State, State of Nevada and the State of Nevada Advisory Council on Economic Development.

For more information please visit: www.brookings.edu/metro/nevada.

'CLUB CURRY' GEARS UP FOR SECOND ANNUAL 'PARTY WITH A PURPOSE' NEW YEAR'S EVE EVENT

2012 New Year's Eve partygoers will once again rock the New Year in style at the second annual "Party with a Purpose" event, hosted by Club Curry at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Where:  Body English inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
Date:  Dec. 31, 2011
Time:  9 p.m. – 3 a.m.
Ticket Price: VIP tickets are $295 per person; general admission is $195 per person; discounts offered on advance purchases before Nov. 30.

Last year’s event raised more than $45,000 for the “Camp to Belong NV” charity under Child Focus, Inc. from the combined efforts of Club Curry sponsors and attendees. The event supports this annual summer camp that reunites separated siblings in foster care.

“It is truly amazing to see the overwhelming support for this charity event, given that so few people are aware siblings can be separated when placed in foster care,” said event sponsor Mark Curry.  “The great emotional victory they achieve when they are reunited cannot be underestimated. Being a part of this charity and giving to those that need it the most is very humbling, to say the least! Our goal for the 2012 event is to raise over $100,000 for the Camp to Belong children.”

This year’s party will dazzle attendees with the futuristic theme, "Future Forward.” With nationally known DJ’s and musical performers, the evening will feature real Las Vegas nightlife and great libations.  A new addition this year will be a special VIP Donor Dinner to be held Dec. 30 at the new Vintner Grill in Neiman Marcus in the Fashion Show mall.  The dinner will recognize the annual supporters and sponsors while highlighting Child Focus, Inc.’s purpose, mission and accomplishments of Camp to Belong—Nevada 2011.  This unique donor’s event will include special donor recognition, dinner and cocktails, and a special silent auction.  

VIP and general admission tickets will be available for both events.  Additional discounts will also be available on advance purchases before Nov. 30, with several opportunities for event sponsorships. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.clubcurry.com. For sponsorship inquiries, contact Papillon Entertainment Group, Inc’s Event Director Lisa Meller at Lisa@papillonentertainment.com. To make a donation directly, visit www.firstgiving.org/clubcurrynye.

“We can’t wait for the New Year’s Eve events!” said Child Focus, Inc. Executive Director Ellen Lloyd.  “They will be special opportunities to show our donors all of the good that comes from their generosity and introduce them to some of the extraordinary young people whose lives they are touching in such important ways.  We are grateful to Mark Curry and the Club Curry team for everything they do to support Child Focus as we help separated siblings in foster care light up and grow!”

For more information, visit www.childfocusnv.org.

Las Vegas Sun - Politics — national and local — will help shape way of life in our valley

Las Vegas Sun

Politics — national and local — will help shape way of life in our valley

By Sun Staff (contact)

Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012 | 2 a.m.

Which presidential candidate will win Nevada in 2012? Will Nevada decide to soften its heart and better fund education? Will our freeways be less congested?

In all manners of politics and government, Nevadans may experience major changes in 2012 — or cling to the status quo. Are Nevadans ever predictable?

Political consultant Greg Ferraro, adviser to the presidential campaigns of Bob Dole and George W. Bush and a principal adviser to Gov. Brian Sandoval’s campaign in 2010

The big X factor next year is: How well does the president run despite bad economic numbers?

President Barack Obama has to contend with the increase in the unemployment rate, which was roughly around 8 percent when he won four years ago and is now at 13 percent. So that becomes a key number for him.

And I think the enthusiasm gap is gone. The Democrats have real problems keeping their base enthusiastic in light of all that has gone on.

So, it’s going to be very close. But I think the Republican, given the enthusiasm gap, can probably win Nevada.

In the U.S. Senate, between Republican Dean Heller and Democrat Shelley Berkley, I’m going to call it Heller by a whisker.

This is going to be heavily influenced by the presidential race and what is happening nationally. We are one of the only states that is a battleground in both the presidential and the Senate race. Given some of those same factors, I think it’s Heller by a whisker.

The 1st Congressional District Democratic primary between state Sen. Ruben Kihuen and former U.S. Rep. Dina Titus will definitely have great entertainment value. We know Dina is a fighter and she’s a take-no-prisoners kind of candidate. Ruben hasn’t run on this level before. He has the safety of losing and going back to the Senate. I don’t really know what’s going to happen in that race.

The 3rd Congressional District race between Republican Rep. Joe Heck and Democratic Assembly Speaker John Oceguera obviously will also be influenced by the presidential race and the issues that are at the center of that, which are the economy and unemployment. I think it’s going to be hard for Oceguera to beat that incumbent if the president is not at the approval numbers he would like to be. I think Heck will hold onto his seat.

Which party will control the Assembly and the Senate? That’s the easiest one of all. The Democrats will hold a strong majority in the Assembly.

The Senate is probably a toss-up. You have such a slight margin for the majority now. There are far too many variables to predict, but I think there is a slight Republican edge.

— Anjeanette Damon

• • •

Billy Vassiliadis, CEO of RR Partners, a veteran Democratic operative and campaign adviser to President Barack Obama

I do think the president is going to win Nevada, as we’re starting to see better signs in the economy. If the president has weathered the worst of this, we are going to be in pretty good shape and I think the rest of the races are fairly dependent on that.

Nevada has gotten more partisan. To the extent the president does well, it will drive the kind of turnout needed to drive the down ticket races.

The Senate race between Republican Dean Heller and Democrat Shelley Berkley is going to be close. They are both good candidates and it will be a good contrast election. It will be so close that the last three weeks, the early voting period and election day, will determine it. If the president is doing well and the machine is cranking, I think Shelley has a good shot.

I think that right now you’d be silly not to make Dina Titus the favorite in the 1st Congressional District Democratic primary against Ruben Kihuen. Ruben is a good candidate and he needs to run a pretty good race, but this is Dina’s, what, fourth straight time on the ballot? She’s got high name recognition. She’s got some fierce supporters. She’ll have the money. We don’t know if Ruben can raise the kind of money Dina has been able to raise in the past.

Democrat Assembly Speaker John Oceguera will have a tough race on a couple of fronts in his 3rd Congressional District race against Republican Rep. Joe Heck. One is that over the last year, Heck has been very smart to sort of go back to his own moderate roots. I think he’s been keenly aware that Nevada is not a really philosophical conservative or liberal state. So I think he’s done a pretty good job of not being painted as an extremist. He obviously has good fundraising. It’s a key seat for the Republicans to hold on to. I think the speaker is going to make it a good fight, a real good fight, but I think turn out is really going to have be above average for him to beat Heck.

The Democrats will control the state Assembly, but not by a significant majority. And frankly, the D’s can’t fall asleep on that or they could lose it.

The state Senate will, again, be a function of the president and a function of fundraising. It will come down to probably (Sen. Shirley) Breeden’s and (Sen. Allison) Copening’s districts. I think the senate will go to whoever raises more money and runs a better campaign.

— Anjeanette Damon

• • •

Carolyn Goodman, Las Vegas mayor

I’m very excited about 2012 because we already have planned the opening of a new city hall, the Mob Museum, the magnificent Smith Center for the Performing Arts, the new Lied Children’s Discovery Museum and the Neon Museum.

We’re also looking forward to expansion of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

Of course we’re continuing to work on a sports arena for the 61 acres downtown. We’re moving into discussions on that in late January.

We’re seeing a real interest in people moving into downtown. We’ll see the great vitality of Fremont East, and we look to the start of Downtown Grand hotel remodeling and reopening.

It’s a very exciting time for us. We see the growth, and there are some real exciting plans for further development in the Arts District moving both south and north.

We have an incredible group of talented artists here who are spreading the word that downtown is the place to get a foothold.

I see it as a wonderful, wonderful time for us.

What we see are the old days of Las Vegas alive and well in the core of the city.

There’s great competition and great camaraderie. Everybody’s looking at each other to come up with something bigger and better. That creates a feeling downtown that’s very exciting.

­— Conor Shine

• • •

Andy Hafen, mayor of Henderson and a 22-year veteran of the City Council

We are going to focus on fostering education and business opportunities and building a sustainable community.

We have some exciting grants that will help promote those efforts on a regional level.

We’ve cut millions of dollars and hundreds of staff from our city, but we are continually finding creative, cost-effective ways to still provide the best services and amenities to our residents.

We’ll continue to look for ways to boost our local economy. In 2011 we began working with developers on two major projects — a sports stadium complex and Union Village (a 150-acre, $1.5 billion medical, retail and residential complex) — that will bring jobs and other long-term economic benefits to Henderson.

We are also at the beginning stages of making changes to our civil and criminal procedures to mitigate the reputation and types of activities associated with massage parlors. Henderson is a community where people choose to raise their families, and it’s important that all our businesses support that, as well.

— Aida Ahmed

Robert Lang, director, Brookings Mountain West

Next year is all about getting ready for the 2013 Legislature, where we can get things delivered to us.

In key areas, we need to get organized. In transportation, we need to continue planning the interstate to Phoenix, and it can’t be a toll road. We may need business improvement districts downtown for an arts and design area and a technology corridor just south of the airport.

And we need to resolve to make no further cuts to our already low levels of investment in higher education and K-12 spending. Whatever we do, we cannot go backward.

And that’s just a flavor. It’s a perfect year to begin a series of conversations about taking charge of the future, about doing what needs doing.

— J. Patrick Coolican

• • •

Brian Hoeft, traffic management expert, Regional Transportation Commission

Motorists will see a number of changes on valley freeways this year, especially as some major construction projects come to an end.

We’re already starting to see more convenient and free-flowing traffic on Interstate 15 in the southern valley, especially for those going to and from the freeway at cross streets like Tropicana Avenue, Russell Road and the Las Vegas Beltway.

Interchange improvements along I-15 will continue in the next few months. They’re also continuing the express lanes with guideposts south to Silverado Ranch Boulevard, extending that idea of separating the traffic.

In the northwest part of the valley, work on U.S. Highway 95 is also wrapping up. The big benefit there is the carpool lanes will now continue past Rainbow Boulevard to Ann Road.

Motorists will also see an improvement with the new bridge that will directly connect the HOV lanes on U.S. 95 with Summerlin Parkway. It will provide people who are traveling in from Summerlin or the Westcliff Transit Station an opportunity to bypass some of the jam-ups that we see at the Rainbow curve.

We’re also finishing up our intelligent transportation systems on the beltway in the southern valley, on U.S. 95 between the beltway and Charleston Boulevard, and on I-15 between Silverado Ranch and Primm. These systems will give motorists more information on travel times, and we’ll be able to observe the traffic, gather data to evaluate the congestion and maybe find some operational solutions to help keep traffic moving.

— Kyle Hansen

• • •

Mike Willden, director of the state Department of Health and Human Services

We’re going to face a mass turnover in leadership at Health and Human Services — the top three leaders in welfare, the top three in mental health and the leader of aging services.

By my last count, 17 of the top 32 leaders in HHS plan to leave.

This has been a stressful period of time for people in the department. We’ve made a lot of reductions, cuts. We have less staff and higher caseloads. It’s a difficult time to be in state service.

Over the next nine-month period, we’ll start building our budget for the next cycle. Agency request budgets are due Sept. 1. We have to do all the prep stuff for the new legislative cycle.

I plan on sticking around. We have to find new leadership and mentor them. Even if they’re currently in the system, they’ll be learning new roles.

We’ll also be getting ready for health care reform. The Affordable Care Act mandates that by January 2013, if a state’s not deemed to have made adequate progress, the secretary of Health and Human Services can take over.

To implement the federal law, we’re setting up a health insurance exchange. We got a $1 million grant a year ago to get the exchange established and are about to announce a $4 million grant. We are applying for $15 million grant.

It’s a mountain of work.

— David McGrath Schwartz

• • •

Carolyn Edwards, Clark County School Board president

I hope we can find a resolution to the labor negotiations so we can get to a better climate in the School District. Also, I hope for an improvement in the economy so that, next legislative session, we might be able to lobby for increases in education funding.

In our last adequacy study in 2006, we were about $2 billion short. No more cuts to education needs to be the No. 1 goal. I’m optimistic about the new year because of the direction we’re going.

I know it’s stressful for all of our employees to have the bar raised while we hold the line on costs. But we’re heartened and emboldened by the new superintendent’s vision. We’re on the right track.

— Paul Takahashi

• • •

Don Burnette, Clark County manager

No one knows if tax windfalls like those from the boom-times will ever return to government in Nevada. A hint of improving conditions came in December, though, in a county report that “unanticipated” tax revenues were coming in. It’s a sign of improvement. But will it last?

We’ve truly made some good progress this past year, but we still have a general fund budget that requires our attention. We don’t have any (general fund) layoffs planned. But we still need to reduce our operating budget, obtain reasonable employee concessions, and hope property tax revenues don’t decline much more.

This could also be the year changes are solidified at University Medical Center, an annual drain on county coffers. That could include incorporating as a public benefit corporation, which would be a pretty substantial change. If the hospital advisory board gets its arms around that and comes up with something to recommend to the county commission, that could lead to long-term sustainability for UMC.

— Joe Schoenmann

• • •

Shari Buck, mayor of North Las Vegas

We’re going to work on continuing to provide good service to citizens, balancing the budget and getting through tough economic times in a way to serve citizens the best. We have a new city manager and a new council, and there is definitely a feeling of hope and cohesiveness.

I have a lot of hope for this year. To go from a $30 million deficit to $15 million in a year is pretty good, so, yes, I see things getting better slowly.

We still have a$15 million budget deficit. One way or the other we’ll solve that problem.

— Aida Ahmed

• • •

Tim Hacker, North Las Vegas city manager

In a general sense, I believe the community has turned a corner, along with the other communities in the region that felt the impacts of the recession.

North Las Vegas has created a foundation for success beginning in 2012 and beyond. As a city we project out five, 10, 30 years. The foundation is there has been a lot of infrastructure. The wastewater treatment plant, street improvements, working with developers, master-planned communities and constructing Craig Ranch Park to enhance the quality of life.

Financially that’s another corner we have turned with the recent restructuring of bond debt and putting off payments for the next six years to maintain our cash flow and general fund reserve.

I see a lot of promise as far as stability. Strategic planning with an outside consultant has really shown that our elected officials and community seem to have identified the challenges and opportunities. We need to start looking beyond two weeks and start looking at two years. It’s only going to get better.

— Aida Ahmed

© Las Vegas Sun, 2012, All Rights Reserved.

The Ferraro Group Named "Firm of the Year"

The Ferraro Group Named "Firm of the Year"  
Las Vegas Business Press Salutes Best Advertising & PR Firms

We are very pleased to announce that The Ferraro Group was named "Firm of the Year" by the Las Vegas Business Press "Best Advertising Agencies and PR Firms" awards. To be recognized among the top public relations and advertising agencies in Southern Nevada is truly an honor. From everyone at The Ferraro Group, we are excited to share this news with our clients, friends and associates and appreciate your continued support.  

For more on the awards, please see below.

Morphing with the Message: Best Advertising Agencies and PR Firms
Advertising and public relations firms broaden clientele, widen focus in recession
By Howard Stutz

Like many businesses, advertising and public relations companies in Las Vegas took steps to survive Southern Nevada's recent economic turmoil. . . Read the article here.

EJM Development Co. Moves into New Las Vegas Corporate Headquarters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2011

Contact: Holly Silvestri                           
The Ferraro Group
702.367.7771

EJM Development Co. Moves into New Las Vegas Corporate Headquarters

(Las Vegas) – Las Vegas real estate developer EJM Development Co. announced today its relocation into new Las Vegas offices. The new offices, which comprise 4,800 square feet, are located at 7140 Dean Martin Drive in the company’s Warm Springs Business Center project. It will house the company’s local executives, leasing division and property management, as well as other key administrative personnel.

Warm Springs Business Center, built in the year 2000, combines more than 182,000 square feet of single-story industrial space. The development is conveniently located within close proximity to the I-15, I-215, McCarran International Airport and the Las Vegas Strip.  Phase I of the center includes more than 73,700 square feet, and Phase II involves just over 108,400 square feet of industrial space.

“This move is allowing us to have more centrally located offices in the Las Vegas valley,” said Susan Wincn, vice president of Nevada Properties for EJM Development.  “With our developments and tenants situated in various parts of the valley, the accessibility to us and them will be greatly enhanced with this relocation.”

EJM Development is involved in all aspects of real estate, including land acquisition, subdivision, zoning, planning, development, marketing and management.  The privately owned company is headquartered in Los Angeles with satellite offices in Nevada and Arizona, and properties available in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.  The Nevada office can be reached at (702) 597-1852, or more information can be obtained through its Website at www.ejmdevelopment.com.

EJM Development currently has more than 3.5 million square-feet of space developed in Las Vegas.  Properties include: The Arroyo, Warm Springs Business Center, Spencer Helm Business Center and Century Park, just to name a few.

Vegas PBS’ ‘Keeping Kids Fit’ Project to Host 2nd Annual 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk Featuring Walkaround Elmo ™

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        
August 4, 2011    

Contact: Latoya Bembry
The Ferraro Group
702.367.7771 / 278.1000


Vegas PBS’ ‘Keeping Kids Fit’ Project to Host 2nd Annual 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk Featuring Walkaround Elmo ™

Family-friendly event aims to raise awareness and help prevent childhood obesity

(Las Vegas) – Vegas PBS will host its second annual 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk to benefit Keeping Kids Fit, an educational outreach program targeting childhood obesity.  The event will kick-off at 7 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Vegas PBS building, 3050 E. Flamingo Road.  Registration is open now at VegasPBS.org/KKF5K.  

Sesame Street star and children’s favorite Walkaround ElmoTM from Sesame Street TM will be on hand at the event, as well as a high energy DJ spinning Top 40 favorites, informational booths, healthy refreshments, and awards and prizes for the family-friendly crowd.

Registration fees are $25 per person until Oct. 1 and $35 from Oct. 2 through Oct. 6.  Interested participants can register online and get more information at VegasPBS.org/KKF5K, call Vegas PBS at 702.799.1010, sign up in person at the Vegas PBS building, or go to the event’s Facebook Page at Facebook.com/KeepingKidsFit.  Packets may be picked up on Friday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Vegas PBS.

“Last year’s event proved a huge success with hundreds of residents and their children participating,” said event organizer and Vegas PBS Ready To Learn Coordinator Candace Thompson.  “The 5K and 1 mile walk is a fantastic way to get the word out about the Keeping Kids Fit project, which stresses active play and healthy eating to combat childhood obesity.  We are excited to present the 5K for the second year and anticipate even more families and people of all ages will participate.”

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk will benefit Vegas PBS Keeping Kids Fit, a long-term project that addresses childhood obesity.  To date, more than 7,100 children, parents, caregivers and teachers have participated in over 300 exercise and nutrition workshops hosted by Vegas PBS.  The website to date has generated more than 50,000 views.

Sponsors for the second annual Vegas PBS 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk include Dr Joe and Joan Lapan, MGM Resorts International, Wells Fargo , Silver State Schools Credit Union, Vme (the 24-hour PBS Spanish network), Southern Nevada Health District and the Mexican Consulate.  Sponsorships are still available; please contact Allison Loftus at 702-799-1010 ext. 5347 or ALoftus@VegasPBS.org.   Partners for the event include the Las Vegas Running Team, who will provide race management, Sesame StreetTM, RR Donnelly, Nevada Blind Children’s Foundation, Girls On The Run and Active.com.

About Vegas PBS
Dedicated to enriching the lives of those who call Southern Nevada home, Vegas PBS is one of America’s most watched PBS stations.  Vegas PBS offers outreach and solutions to issues affecting our community, while continuing to provide award-winning entertainment and instructional programming for all ages.  Vegas PBS is committed to providing leading-edge education;  offering  Vegas Virtual Online Education, a vast array of online workforce training and certification courses to a broad spectrum of the population – from those seeking jobs to those wishing to advance or change their career.

Vegas PBS also provides multiple resources to teachers, including TeacherLine professional development courses and One Place, an educational media services and online management system for the Clark County School District.  Ready To Learn, the literary and life-skills outreach to CCSD Title I schools; Keeping Kids Fit, is a long-term project addressing childhood obesity and Reading for Smiles promotes dental hygiene.   For more information on programming and services, please visit www.VegasPBS.org, like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/VegasPBS or follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/VegasPBS.

Nathan Adelson Hospice’s Carole Fisher Appointed to Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation Board

For Immediate Release
July 15, 2011
                            
Contact: Holly Silvestri                            
The Ferraro Group
702.367.7771


Nathan Adelson Hospice’s Carole Fisher Appointed to Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation Board

(Las Vegas) – Carole Fisher, president and chief executive officer of the non-profit Nathan Adelson Hospice, was appointed to serve on the board of the prestigious Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation.

Fisher joins a select group of healthcare and non-profit executives dedicated to quality, compassionate end-of-life care to support the foundation’s mission of furthering the work and teachings of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, M.D. through worldwide end-of-life care programs, education, training and research.

Considered one of the most influential scholars of death and dying and a pioneer in hospice care, Kubler-Ross authored the groundbreaking book, “On Death and Dying,” in 1969. The book was the first to discuss the Kubler-Ross Model, or Five Stages of Grief, as a pattern of adjustment for dying individuals and their families.

“Dr. Kubler-Ross was a leader in discussing death as a part of life,” Fisher said. “She worked tirelessly to ensure that those who are dying be treated with compassion and dignity. I am honored to be a part of this foundation.”
 
Foundation Board President Ken Ross, son of the late Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, extended the request for Fisher to join the organization’s board after serving as keynote speaker at Nathan Adelson Hospice’s annual Multicultural Luncheon & Conference in January.

Fisher is highly involved in organizations that address the healthcare and counseling needs of the entire community, especially the uninsured and underinsured. In addition to her board position with the Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation, she is a member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, where she serves on the organization’s public policy and governance committee. She is a member of the board of directors for the Nevada Hospital Association and serves on the NHA Policy Development committee. She is also a member of the Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation and is on the board of directors for Nevada Executive Women in Health Care.

About Nathan Adelson Hospice
Nathan Adelson Hospice, the trusted partner in hospice care for more than 30 years, is the largest non-profit hospice in Southern Nevada, caring for more than 385 patients daily. In 1978, Nathan Adelson Hospice began providing home care hospice service in Southern Nevada with the mission to offer patients and their loved ones with comprehensive end-of-life care and influence better care for all in the community.  In 1983, Nathan Adelson Hospice opened an in-patient hospice in Las Vegas, and today the hospice is recognized as a national model for superior hospice care.

The mission of the hospice is to be the Hospice of Choice, the Employer of Preference and the Training Center for Excellence.  Its vision is simple: no one should end the journey of life alone, afraid or in pain.  The hospice also is home to The Center for Compassionate Care, a non-profit counseling agency providing individual, group and family counseling services to address grief, loss and issues related to surviving life-threatening illnesses. For more information, visit www.nah.org.

About Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation
Since 2005, the non-profit Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation has been dedicated to expanding the work and teachings of renowned psychiatrist, humanitarian, teacher and author Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, M.D. Through her determined efforts, Kubler-Ross changed the way the world treats the dying, forged a path for the hospice care movement, and taught millions to live fully, love unconditionally, and die with dignity and peace. For more information about the foundation and its programs, visit www.ekrfoundation.org.