Board of Directors 2023-2024
Click on the plus sign below to read our Board of Director's biographies:
Jason Jorjorian, President. LGA Architecture.
Jason Jorjorian has been influential in LGA Architecture's growth since joining the firm in 1999. Now a principal of the firm, he spurs innovation and collaboration amongst the staff to challenge the status quo and create meaningful connections between people, processes and place. He has lead the design of significant civic and institutional projects throughout the valley while incorporating his passion for community, sustainability, and purpose into every engagement. A native to Las Vegas, Jason is a UNLV graduate and a member of the Vegas Chamber Leadership Las Vegas Graduating Class of 2021.
Will Gonzales, Vice President. Attorney.
Will is an attorney in Las Vegas who practices primarily in the area of business law. After moving from Southern California to Las Vegas in 2017, Will’s first exposure to LIT was at a fundraising event where he felt inspired and motivated by the students’ ambition for higher education and community leadership. He saw a little bit of himself in each student, driving him to become a guest-speaker and now a Board Member of LIT.
Will received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from the University of San Diego, where he was also a member of the football team. Will received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, William S. Boyd School of Law with a concentration in Business & Commercial Law.
Will received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from the University of San Diego, where he was also a member of the football team. Will received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, William S. Boyd School of Law with a concentration in Business & Commercial Law.
Vacant, Secretary
N/A
Andrew Woods, Treasurer. UNLV Center for Business and Economic Research.
Andrew brings more than 15 years of experience as a business and public affairs professional, complimented with a B.A. cum laude in Political Science and Economics from American University, scholarly work at University College London, and a M.A. in Public Policy from The University of Chicago.
Prior to joining UNLV’s CBER, Andrew started and ran a successful economic analysis, financial management, and public affairs consulting firm, as CEO of Woods Strategies, in Las Vegas, Nevada. In his free time Andrew likes to participate in bicycle races, swim, run, and climb mountains. Also he a bit of a space fanatic.
Prior to joining UNLV’s CBER, Andrew started and ran a successful economic analysis, financial management, and public affairs consulting firm, as CEO of Woods Strategies, in Las Vegas, Nevada. In his free time Andrew likes to participate in bicycle races, swim, run, and climb mountains. Also he a bit of a space fanatic.
Marguerite Panetta Gray, Director. Consultant.
Marguerite has over 25 years of experience in product development, merchandising and licensing for the resort and hospitality industry working for companies such as Universal Studios, Cedar Fair (Knott’s Berry Farm) and Yamaha Motor Corporation. Panetta Gray was most recently working in Business Development for Las Vegas-based Marshall Retail Group as Concept Development Expert. In her role, she worked with global and local brands as well as airports to find synergies for business expansion. Prior to, she led the Merchandise team at Marshall Retail Group for 14 years as Senior Vice President. As part of the Executive Team, she helped to scale the company from 40 locations to 200 in North America. Marguerite has strong creative and strategic thinking skills and is an entrepreneur that can work within a corporate environment.
Stephanie Grant, Director. Coldwell Banker Premier Realty.
Stephanie Grant is dedicated to her business and keeping current with the Las Vegas Real Estate Market. Education is also very important to her by obtaining industry designations, certificates and receiving her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Management. She has obtained the Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Military Relocation Professional (MRP) designations and holds a Property Manager Permit and Community Association Manager License (CAM). She also works alongside buyer assistance programs, homeowner associations and enjoys volunteering with local non-profit organizations. She is a 2019 Nevada REALTOR Leadership Academy Graduate and involved with the local REALTOR Association.
Jacqueline Beato, Director. Live Nation Entertainment.
Jacqueline Beato serves as the Executive Vice President of Live Nation Entertainment where she oversees global communications, government relations, and provides operational support. Prior to that she was the Senior Vice President of Finance and Treasurer at Caesars Entertainment Corporation. Beato has a MBA in General Management from Harvard Business School.
Cindi Rivera, Director. Rivera Enterprises Inc.
Cindi is the Founder of Rivera Enterprises Inc. and Associate Executive Director at Futuro Academy. She is a first-generation college graduate who has a BA in Law & Society and Spanish at the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Masters in Early Childhood Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Samantha Grimes, Director. Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee.
Samantha Grimes serves as the Chief Communications & Marketing Officer for the Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee, leading press and communication strategies. Possessing more than a decade of experience, Grimes has had the privilege of representing some of the most celebrated brands in luxury hospitality and entertainment. She has contributed to the success of award-winning gaming properties, hundreds of live events as well as the launch of more than 40 first-to-market dining, nightlife, gaming, retail, and entertainment concepts in Las Vegas.
Grimes hails from northern Alaska and is a proud alumna of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as well as a graduate of the Vegas Chamber's Leadership Las Vegas class of 2021.
Grimes hails from northern Alaska and is a proud alumna of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as well as a graduate of the Vegas Chamber's Leadership Las Vegas class of 2021.
Jocelyn Cortez, Director. Attorney.
Jocelyn is a native of El Salvador and, as an infant, moved to the east side of Las Vegas with her family. She is a double Wildcat (Las Vegas High School and University of Arizona for law school), with a four-year stop at UNLV for a bachelor's degree in English Literature in between. Jocelyn is the managing partner of GWP Immigration Law, a law firm dedicated to serving immigrant families in their pursuit of legal status and opportunity in the U.S.
Currently, Jocelyn also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Dream Big Nevada https://dreambignv.org/ (an immigrant advocacy non-profit) and as Abogada Consultora/Attorney Consultant for the Consulate of Mexico in Las Vegas. Several times over, Jocelyn has received recognition for her dedication and excellence in the field of immigration law, most recently being named a Top Immigration Lawyer by Vegas, Inc. in 2021. Jocelyn enjoys reading books (she is a self-described book nerd); trying new restaurants; and getting to know the world through traveling.
Currently, Jocelyn also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Dream Big Nevada https://dreambignv.org/ (an immigrant advocacy non-profit) and as Abogada Consultora/Attorney Consultant for the Consulate of Mexico in Las Vegas. Several times over, Jocelyn has received recognition for her dedication and excellence in the field of immigration law, most recently being named a Top Immigration Lawyer by Vegas, Inc. in 2021. Jocelyn enjoys reading books (she is a self-described book nerd); trying new restaurants; and getting to know the world through traveling.
Randy O. Aguilar, Director. Station Casinos.
Randy O. Aguilar, MBA is a 30 year hospitality executive specializing in Retail and Food & Beverage Leasing in the Las Vegas Gaming sector. Randy currently serves as Director of Leasing for Station Casinos, where he has been leading its leasing efforts of the soon to be opened Durango Casino & Resort as well as all third party transactions within the Station Casinos portfolio. Prior to that, he served in a similar capacity as Vice President of Leasing for Caesars Entertainment for 10 years. Randy started his career as a Marketing Director in the shopping mall industry for The Simon Group and Forest City Enterprises. Randy received his B.A. from Louisiana State University and his MBA from Western Governors University. Randy is an avid fan of the Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Aces and the Vegas Golden Knights.
Matthew DeFalco, Director. Olympia Companies.
Matthew is a dynamic and dedicated public servant with a diverse background in military and civilian sectors. He fearlessly served in the United States Army during Operation Enduring Freedom and bravely fought wildfires across the American West with the Bureau of Land Management. With expertise in Nevada politics, Matthew played a pivotal role in managing successful local, statewide, and national political campaigns for some of Nevada's most prominent elected officials. Currently, as Government Affairs and Community Relations Director at Olympia Companies, Matthew contributes to the development of master-planned communities, manages commercial real estate and homeowner associations, and organizes philanthropic events. As a newly elected board member for Leaders in Training, Matthew brings dynamic energy and unwavering passion to empower first-generation college students in Southern Nevada, fostering the next generation of community leaders.