LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Doug Geinzer may be new to the position of CEO of the Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition (SNMIC), but he’s well-versed in the not-for-profit organization, as he’s been involved with it since its inception eight years ago.

SNMIC exists to provide a collective voice to improve access and delivery of quality health care in Southern Nevada by fostering strategic alliances in the health care community, collaborating on human resource issues, and by acting as a proactive force for legislative improvements.

“The work with SNMIC melds my passion for health care and education,” Geinzer said. “I volunteered for eight years, chaired the recruitment task force for seven years, was a member of the board of directors for four years and began as the chairman of the board 18 months ago. Having experience in all aspects of the organization will be helpful as I step into the role of CEO.”

Because of his experience, Geinzer has his sights set on goals firmly in place. An important objective to Geinzer is to elevate the presence of health care in Southern Nevada while working on development and “growing our own talent here in Southern Nevada,” he said. “We’ve been importing it.”

Education is at the forefront as Geinzer was the founder and former president of Recruiting Nevada, which attracts jobseekers mainly focused on the education and medical fields to Nevada. SNMIC’s membership and sponsorship development also are high on his list along with creating a politically unified voice for the health care industry in order to influence people and change policy.

“We have been working toward these goals for eight years,” Geinzer said. “Now it’s time to make it all happen.”

Geinzer is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management, Nevada Hospital Association and the Nevada Healthcare Association. He also serves on the board of directors for the American Heart Association and is an active committee member of the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Business Council. Geinzer founded the Las Vegas chapter of the Entrepreneur’s Association and served as a board member for five years.

Founded in 2002, SNMIC is a volunteer organization committed to improving the quality of life for the residents of Southern Nevada now and in the future. SNMIC stands as a collective voice to ensure improved access and delivery of quality health care to the rapidly growing region and focuses on legislative improvements, human resources and strategic alliances.

For more information on SNMIC, visit www.snmic.com.

Chief Executive Magazine released its list of the Best and Worst States for Business.  Nevada was ranked number 5.  California was ranked the worst.

Nevada surely offers a great tax climate for businesses.  But when you talk to the economic developers of the state, we have some challenges attracting quality businesses due to the lack of infrastructure such as health care and education.  I encourage Nevada to take a position while we are young enough, and do not have the heavy regulation in place, to focus on correcting these two industries (Eds & Meds).  Pittsburgh, PA did this back in the 1970s and their economy is in the best shape it has been in since the good old’ Steel days.

Below is a chart that of the results provided by the 651 CEOs who took the survey:

Congrats go out to Chris Vito, a good friend and fellow colleague, on his recent U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Business Person of the Year award.  Chris is President/CEO of Nevada Adult Day Healthcare Centers.   Nevada Adult Day Care provides an organized program of services during the day in a group setting for the purpose of supporting the personal independence of older adults and promoting their social, physical, and emotional well-being.

Chris thanks for all that you do for this community and for the Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition.

Congrats to three Nevada hospitals for winning the  Consumer Choice Award for 2009/2010:

Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center and Summerlin Hospital Medical Center were co-winners in Las Vegas, while Renown Health won in Reno. This award recognizes hospitals that provide technologically sophisticated, quality healthcare that is accessible to the community. 

These type of awards also help us in marketing Nurse Jobs in Nevada.

Zappos.com of Henderson, the innovative online apparel and footwear seller, is ranked No. 15 in Fortune magazine’s annual “100 Best Companies to Work For list” — up from No. 23 when it debuted on the list last year.

Zappos.com, which last year was acquired by Amazon.com, is the only company based in Southern Nevada on the list in Fortune’s Feb. 8 issue.

Fortune reported Zappos.com has some 1,300 employees, down 323 in one year.

It said the company’s benefits include 100 percent health care and a compressed workweek.

Fortune wrote: “Now an Amazon.com subsidiary, the online retailer has vowed to maintain its zany culture. CEO Tony Hsieh and COO Alfred Lin held an all-hands meeting after the deal was announced, telling employees they would each receive a Kindle and a retention bonus equal to 40 percent of their annual salary, with 20 percent paid this past December and 20 percent next December.”

A few Las Vegas-area employers that are based outside of Nevada are also on the list.

They include: Edward Jones, Camden Property Trust, Recreational Equipment, Whole Foods Market, Scottrade, Ernst & Young, Nordstrom, CarMax, Four Seasons Hotels, Men’s Wearhouse, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Marriott International, FedEx and Starbucks Coffee.

Zappos.com said Thursday in a statement that it continues to be driven by core values including “deliver ‘WOW’ through service,” “embrace and drive change” and “create fun and a little weirdness.”

Also, “be adventurous, creative and open-minded,” “pursue growth and learning,” “build open and honest relationships with communication,” “build a positive team and family spirit,” “do more with less,” “be passionate and determined” and “be humble.”

To pick the 100 Best Companies, Fortune partners with the Great Place to Work Institute to conduct an extensive employee survey.

No. 1 on the 2010 list is North Carolina-based software company SAS.

Almost sounds like a McDonald’s commercial, huh?

Well…… Recruiting Nevada surpassed our goal of serving over ten million page views in 2009.  Our final number was 10,087,903.  That’s quite a bit for a little regional employment website.  Obviously this has to do with the strength and depth of the Recruiting Nevada Network:

Several months ago I blogged about the unique recruiting campaign launched by Australia.  The recruiting campaign was hugely successful with over 35,000 applicants applying for the job.  Sadly, the winner of the ‘best job’ was stung by a jellyfish last week.  I doubt that was in the benefits package.

On Tuesday, December 8, 2009, the Southern Nevada Hispanic Employment Program elected the 2010 officers and board members. Congratulations to the following individuals:

President – Meli Pulido, City of Las Vegas
Vice President – Minerva Mendoza, Brandywine Bookmaking
Treasurer – Bobby Zuniga, Wells Fargo
Secretary – Isela Jiménez Nejbauer, Las Vegas Valley Water District
Conference Chair – Linda Rivera, Bureau of Reclamation
Education Chair – Bob Agonia, Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation
Membership Chair – Page Zuniga, Palace Station
Public Relations Chair – Chelsey Kuzyk, Greenspun Media Group
Scholarship Chair – Minerva Mendoza, Brandywine Bookmaking

The Southern Nevada Hispanic Employment Program (SNHEP) Council is an inter-agency group that undertakes special projects and activities aimed at increasing the number of Hispanics within the workforce.

The group’s mission is to be a valued/comprehensive community resource that educates, employs, and develops the Hispanic community, thereby enhancing the economic development of Southern Nevada. The SNHEP is open to new membership and is free to attend monthly meetings.

Kathleen Schaeffer was recently recognized Nevada Teacher of the Year by the Nevada Department of Education. She was honored with the title during a surprise assembly last week. Schaeffer has been with the middle school since it opened in 2000. 

As we know, Clark County School District has challenges filling teacher jobs in Las Vegas.  It is awesome news to learn that teachers like Kathleen are being recognized for their hard work and dedication.

The Las Vegas recruiting community recently lost a friend and ally. D. Christopher Jenkins, owner of Harrington & Reed.  Chris passed away on October 29, 2009 prior to the LasVegasSun.com Career Fair.  Chris moved to Las Vegas from Atlanta, GA nearly ten years where he was the self-proclaimed godfather of the video resume and he continued to pursue his video resume efforts in Las Vegas with the IPO – Interview Power Online.  

I first met Chris after he opened Harrington & Reed where he elevated the image and standards of career services firms.  Chris was a perfectionist in all senses of the word and expected nothing less from those around him.  He made an impact on everyone that crossed his path.  I was proud to be associated with him. 

Chris spread his gospel through his weekly column in the Las Vegas Review Journal and recently started the Chris Jenkins Show on KLAV where he counseled displaced professionals on how to advance their careers in Las Vegas.  Chris always devoted a substantial amount of his time trying to ‘build a better jobseeker.’  This is why we got along so well.

Chris received his under graduate degree from the University of Georgia in 1968 and was later awarded an MBA from Georgia State University.  He spent many years as an executive of Citibank and other financial service firms.   Although I never met his wife and children, I felt as if I knew them.  Chris was a devoted family man and often used his children in his concept of proof projects.  

A memorable story that I like to share about Chris Jenkins was his unassuming presence at all of our career fairs (which he attended over the past four years).  He would arrive, hang his banner, cross his arms and wait for jobseekers to approach him.  This is not a normal practice, nor one that I would recommend.  Each time I questioned him on it.  And each time he would comment, “Doug, I don’t want to talk to every jobseeker here.  I only need to talk to the best, brightest and most motivated.  And those jobseekers are not afraid to approach a guy like me who is wearing my best suit and tie.  Leaders attract leaders.  That has been proven time over.  Now get out of my space so people don’t think I am associating myself with you.”  And he would crack one of those Chris Jenkins smiles that just made you laugh.  And we would repeat this conversation each career fair. 

Unfortunately, that conversation will not be had again.  We’ll miss you Chris Jenkins.  Rest in Peace my friend.