Oral history interview with Jaime Cruz conducted by Rodrigo Vazquez on July 03, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Cruz discusses growing up in Lima, Peru and immigrating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1987. Cruz describes his first impressions of the city, attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and explains the importance of education for his children. He talks about his employment as a dishwasher at Vineyard Restaurant, food server at The Mirage, and being recruited by Treasure Island as a banquet waiter. Lastly, Cruz describes the Peruvian community in Las Vegas, instilling Peruvian culture in his children, and how he became the Executive Director of Workforce Connections.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Debra Nutton conducted by David Schwartz on June 15, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Nutton discusses her career in gaming. She talks about working at the MGM Grand in 1976, going to dealing school, and becoming one of the first female craps dealers in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nutton remembers auditioning for various casino floors, her teachers, and becoming a floor manager. She then recalls the opening of the MGM Mirage, applying for a pit manager position there, and being hired as the only female pit manager in 1989. Later, Nutton describes the role of casino shift manager, handling issues with customers, and begin a casino manager for twelve years. Lastly, Nutton discusses her move to meeting Steve Wynn and becoming a casino manager for the Wynn.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Junior Fonotisatele conducted by Cecilia Winchell and Stefani Evans on November 10, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Junior discusses his Samoan background and the importance of strong family values. He talks about his early years in Utah and California before moving to Las Vegas where he attended and graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Junior shares his employment history as a bodyguard for Floyd Mayweather, an entrepreneur of a clothing brand, and an investor into a range of ventures including security, solar energy, and mental health. He concludes with a discussion of Samoan cultural celebrations, his religion, and the significance of his tattoos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Geri Tomich conducted by Cecilia Winchell, Jerwin Tiu, and Stefani Evans on May 15, 2023 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Born and raised in the Philippines, Geraldine "Geri" Tomich recalls life in the city of Manila, where her father worked as an engineer and her mother as a stay-at-home mother. Tomich attended an American school, where she learned how to speak English from a young age, and her extracurricular activities included speedreading and writing letters to her friends. After her parents divorce, her mother took Tomich and her three siblings to the United States to live with their aunt. After a brief period in California, Tomich resumed her college career in a community college in Southern Nevada, getting an associate's degree in paralegal studies before transferring to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) to earn her bachelor's degree in business management. During this time, Tomich recalls working her way up in a law firm, starting as a receptionist before moving up to a secretary and then later a paralegal. For law school, Tomich moved to Spokane, Washington, to attend Gonzaga University. Citing her family, she moved back to Las Vegas to practice law, first returning to the law firm where she got her start before moving to Marquis Aurbach in 2003. She also discusses the other organizations she is involved in, including the Nevada Community Foundation and the Baller Dream Foundation. Throughout the rest of the interview, Tomich discusses values, what it has been like balancing a family with a full-time job, and what parts of Filipino culture she has retained.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James Cardle conducted by Dr. David Emerson on April 25, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview James Cardle speaks about how he came to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in August of 1985 and began teaching a class on wastewater treatment. He spoke about how he was a member of the curriculum committee, did research on the Yucca Mountain project, and also worked on setting up a master's program.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ann Snavely conducted by Claytee D. White on January 08, 2015 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview, Snavely discusses her upbringing in Pennsylvania and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1960s. She talks about living in Glen Heather Estates and moving to the Scotch 80s neighborhood. Lastly, Snavely describes community events in the Scotch 80s, changes in the West Charleston area, and the construction of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Grant Snow conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on November 16, 1982 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Snow discusses arriving to St. Thomas, Nevada in 1925. Snow also describes teaching in St. Thomas, the significance of mines to the region, and increase of local businesses.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Loretta K. Wait conducted by Brian Nicoll on March 10, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wait discusses her personal history and the life of her father, Oscar G. Logan. Wait begins by describing her father's move to Nevada after serving in the military in the early twentieth century, Logan meeting his wife in Tonopah, Nevada, and how he worked at the ammunition storage depot in Hawthorne, Nevada as a carpenter. She then describes his eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada and his carpentry work on the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Wait continues, listing her father's business partnerships and other construction projects he was involved in. She concludes by talking about life in Las Vegas, her education, working at the Nevada Test Site, and observing an unidentified flying object.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marilyn B. Brockett conducted by Jay Brewer on April 25, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Brockett moved to Nevada in 1932. During this interview Brockett discusses social changes and the growth of Boulder City, Nevada from 1932 to 1975.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Chris Bianchi conducted by David Schwartz on April 14, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Bianchi discusses his career as a pit boss and his overall career in gaming. Bianchi then discusses the procedures that a pit master must follow, and how strictly these procedures were enforced. Lastly, Bianchi discusses how to motivate players, the positive aspects of being a card dealer, including different competitions that he worked.
Archival Collection