Oral history interview with Mindy Unger-Wadkins conducted by Barbara Tabach on October 28, 2015 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Unger-Wadkins discusses her childhood in Las Vegas, Nevada, working in Yucca Mountain, Nevada Power, land development with her brothers, and her leadership in the Jewish community.
In this interview, Unger-Wadkins discusses growing up in Las Vegas? close-knit Jewish community in the 1960s and 1970s, and involvement with various Jewish youth organizations and activities. She also describes her career in public relations, reflecting upon the unique challenges faced when interacting with the public, and with politics, in her positions. Unger-Wadkins ends by describing her current work in land development, particularly the history of the Three Kids Mine and the technical and political process of ensuring the land is suitable as a residential area.
Mindy Unger-Wadkins was born August 10, 1965 in Los Angeles, California, and her family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada two years later when her father, Joseph Unger, was relocated by his employer. At the age of twelve, after both her parents had passed away, she moved in with her brother Bob Unger and his wife, Aydie. While studying at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Unger-Wadkins took a clerk job based at Yucca Mountain, and was eventually hired as a full-time public relations officer.