Oral history interview with Richard Plaster conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on March 21, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Plaster discusses his early life in Santa Monica, California, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1973. He recalls his early interests in real estate, forming his company Signature Homes, and the first home building projects he was involved in. Lastly, Plaster describes land acquisition during the late 1970s, building mass housing, and his role as President of the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association (SNHBA).
Oral history interview with John Acres conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on July 11, 2017, and September 28, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Acres discusses his progressive jackpot system for the Lady Luck Casino, which was also installed in the Aladdin, the Frontier, and the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada. Acres relates history of his work in engineering and manufacturing gaming technology and recalls how and why he sold his first company, Electronic Display Technology (EDT). Acres then discusses Acres 4.0, which develops artificial intelligence that creates customer experiences while reducing operational costs, and explains the Gen7 concept of planning solutions that will last for seven generations.
Oral history interview with Kenneth Bedrosian conducted by Ann Fredrickson on April 29, 2004 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Bedrosian discusses his upbringing in Rhode Island and educational background. He then discusses his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in the early 1970s and his first teaching position at Rancho High School in 1973. He then discusses his transition to administration with his move to a Dean’s position at Clark High School, before becoming principal at Cimarron-Memorial High School in the early 1990s. He also discusses his job duties as principal, training development, challenges that he faced as an administrator, and his views on contemporary trends within the Clark County School District and the United States educational system. He also discusses challenges that administrators face, such as school violence and overcrowding, and his suggestions for principals to be successful administrators in light of these challenges.
Oral history interview with M. Joy Leavitt conducted by Matthew Jackson on March 09, 2004 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Leavitt reflects upon her 33-year career as an elementary school teacher and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District from the 1970s to the 2000s. She discusses her experience as a teacher and principal, her approach to school administration, and challenges that she faced such as being a principal at the time of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. She also discusses some of her best experiences while being principal and the environments of different schools.
Oral history interview with Robert Bunker conducted by Kent Harmon on October 11, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers Mr. Bunker’s family life from Bunkerville to Las Vegas, Nevada. During the interview Robert discusses farming, religious life, and raising a family in Las Vegas. He also discusses the crash of Carole Lombard’s plane on Mount Potosi and describes McCarran Airport and Nellis Airport in the early days.
Oral history interview with Qiong X. Liu conducted by Claytee D. White on June 08, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Liu discusses her upbringing in Beijing, China and later Shanghai, China. She recalls receiving a full scholarship to attend the University of Arizona, her initial reactions to arriving to the United States, and moving to North Las Vegas, Nevada in 1999. Liu talks about the Apex Industrial Park in North Las Vegas, population growth, and the increase of homes being built in the area. She explains the importance in diversifying the North Las Vegas economy and supporting local businesses. Lastly, Liu lists financial challenges that North Las Vegas has faced and her work as City Manager for North Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Marjorie Pierce conducted by Andres Moses on January 17, 2006 for the Living to Dance: Tapping in Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Pierce discusses her early life in Kansas City, Missouri and becoming a dancer at a young age. She talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951, performing at the Desert Inn Hotel and Casino and the Dunes Hotel and Casino, and being cast in the musical Tenderloin. Pierce describes tap dancing techniques and unions for professional dancers.
Oral history interview with Allin Chandler conducted by Claytee D. White on December 9, 2002 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Allin Chandler discusses his education and career history, including being a teacher and educational administrator in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1968-1990 as well as being a part of the Clark County Association of School Administrators (CCASA). Chandler also discusses the instructional philosophy that he follows and the originators of it. Other topics discussed are developments in education, personal writing and public speaking skills, instructional leadership, school administration, and parental responsibilities.
Oral history interview with Carl Esteban conducted by William Bailey on December 2, 2022 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Esteban recalls growing up in Salinas, California in a predominantly Asian community before relocating with family to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2002. As a first generation Filipino America, Esteban's mother sacrificed her life in the Philippines to become the sole person in her family to immigrate to America. Esteban received his degree in Special Education and is currently pursuing to a master's degree in the same field. Esteban is currently a special education educator at the Yvonne Atkinson-Gates Center in North Las Vegas. Throughout the interview, Esteban discusses a wide range of topics spanning from his family migration story, his early childhood, his Filipino identity, Asian stereotypes as the model minority, and how his mentors helped shape him into the person he is today.
Oral history interview with Miriam Belmont conducted by Laurie Brower on March 08, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During the interview Belmont discusses her move to Las Vegas, Nevada, various occupations, education, addresses, church involvement, Hoover Dam, famous people, atomic testing, Old Ranch Country Club in Southern California, and the ways in which Las Vegas had changed since she first arrived.