Oral history interview with Tina Quigley conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on August 29, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Quigley discusses her early life in Petaluma, California. She talks about her initial interest in aviation, attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and studying airport planning and aviation business. Quigley recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1990, her employment at McCarran Airport, and airport projects she was involved in. Later, Quigley remembers joining the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), becoming general manager, and the development of transportation technology. Lastly, Quigley discusses future planning for Clark County public transportation.
Oral history interview with Thomas A. Thomas conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on March 02, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Thomas discusses his family background and upbringing in banking. He talks about his father, Edward Parry Thomas, his father's involvement with financing casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada during the 1960s, and the formation of the Thomas & Mack Company in 1992. Thomas remembers the company’s first projects in Las Vegas, construction of the Thomas & Mack Center, and developing the Las Vegas Digital Exchange Campus. Later, Thomas remembers his father’s involvement with the development of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and the company's help financing the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV. Lastly, Thomas discusses his partnership with Rob Roy of Switch data centers, and the future of Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with José Luis Meléndrez conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on November 20, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Meléndrez discusses his family background and early life in Baja California. He talks about his father’s decision to migrate to the United States, and attending Catholic schools in California, Nevada, and Texas as the family moved around the country. Meléndrez recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1990, enrolling at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America affiliated program, Learning for Life. Later, Meléndrez describes attending the University of Michigan, earning a master’s degree in social work, and becoming executive director for the office of Community Partnerships in the UNLV School of Public Health. Lastly, Meléndrez discusses the future of the Las Vegas Latinx community, and becoming a founding member and chair for the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition.
Oral history interview with Berna Rhodes-Ford conducted by Claytee D. White on September 25, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Rhodes-Ford discusses her early life in Terrell, Texas. She talks about the significance of education in her life, attending Southern Methodist University, and going to law school at the University of Texas at Austin. Rhodes-Ford recalls arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2000, working as a judicial clerk for Judge Johnnie Rawlinson, and establishing her own law firm. Rhodes-Ford remembers joining The Links, Incorporated, and Jack and Jill of America. Lastly, Rhodes-Ford discusses her role as President of the Las Vegas Chapter of Jack and Jill of America.
Oral history interview with Pamela Sitton conducted by Claytee D. White on March 15, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Sitton discusses her early life in South Carolina, Ohio, California, Arizona, and finally settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963. She recalls her father’s employment at the Nevada Test Site as a carpenter, graduating from Las Vegas High School, and the demolition of historic Las Vegas buildings. Sitton talks about the Huntridge movie theatre, Charleston Plaza Mall, and recreational activities she participated in during the 1970s. Lastly, Sitton discusses preserving historic buildings in Las Vegas, the importance of having a sense of history, and the October 1, 2017 shooting.
Oral history interview with Jane Ann Morrison conducted by Claytee D. White on May 10, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Morrison discusses her early life in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She talks about her early interest in journalism, her employment at The Christian Science Monitor, and reporting for the Southwest Times Record. Morrison recalls transferring to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1976 and reporting for the Nevadan, which was a Sunday magazine published by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. She describes writing reports on organized crime, local politics, and covering Operation Yobo and Operation G-Sting. Lastly, Morrison discusses her more meaningful coverages.
Oral history interview with John Entsminger conducted by Stefani Evans on May 31, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Entsminger discusses his early life in Colorado. He talks about going to law school at the University of Colorado, arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1999, and his employment for the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s (SNWA) legal team. Entsminger describes the infrastructure projects that the SNWA has been involved in, negotiating multi-jurisdictional regional and international contract agreements, and protecting the future water supply. Entsminger explains water banking, water rights, and aquifers in Lake Mead. Lastly, Entsminger talks about water conservation, the SNWA’s water conservation plan, and drought that Nevada is experiencing.
Oral history interview with Joy Rineer conducted by Stefani Evans on December 01, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Rineer talks about growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. She recalls her educational experience in Las Vegas, attending the University of Utah, and studying architecture. Rineer explains how architectural education, internships, testing, and licensing processes have evolved over time, and how these processes formerly limited opportunities for women in architecture. Rineer also reflects on projects she has worked on personally, her employment with architecture firm Simpson Coulter Studio, and the firm's emphasis on community-anchored architecture. Lastly, Rineer discusses planning for schools, and changing classroom layouts to accommodate different learning styles.
Oral history interview with Steven Kalb conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on January 05, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Kalb discusses his early life in North Hollywood, California. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953, growing up in the Twin Lakes area, and recreational activities he participated in. Kalb talks about attending Arizona State University (ASU), studying construction engineering, and the formation of his father's company, George F. Kalb Construction. Kalb describes the first construction projects the company completed, forming Kalb Construction Company, and working on standalone projects. Lastly, Kalb discusses the future of the construction industry.
Oral history interview with Danit Farwell conducted by Barbara Tabach on March 27, 2018 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Farwell discusses her early life in Morocco, antisemitism she experienced there, and being sent to Israel as a young girl. She recalls the hardships she faced while traveling to Israel, living in a kibbutz, and completing a teaching seminar to become a grade school teacher. Farwell talks about arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1974, her first impression of the city, and her decision to stay. Farwell describes becoming a member of Temple Beth Sholom, being a teacher there, and going to card dealing school. Lastly, Farwell talks about being a part-time card dealer at different casinos on the Strip.