Business briefs

The Builders Association of Western Nevada (BAWN) will feature the "ghost of Mark Twain", McAvoy Layne, as the guest speaker and performer at their annual Associates' Appreciation dinner meeting Tuesday at the Gold Dust West on Hwy. 50 East.

Networking and cocktails begin at 5 p.m. with dinner served a little before 6 p.m. and the program to follow. Cost is $40 for members and $50 for non-members.

For information, contact 882-4353.

Sierra Pacific CEO elected to utility association

Michael W. Yackira, president and CEO of Las Vegas-based Sierra Pacific Resources, has been elected a member of the board of directors of the Edison Electric Institute, the Washington-based association of investor-owned electric utilities.

Yackira joined the board last week during the association's fall CEO meeting in Colorado Springs. As one of 60 members of the board of directors, Yackira will help guide and develop public policy positions for the electric utility industry as well as help oversee the operations of the association. Yackira replaces Walter M. Higgins after many years of service on the Board.

Edison Electric Institute has member utilities that operate in 48 states, and its members serve 97 percent of the customers of the investor-owned segment of the industry, and more than 70 percent of all customers in the nation. Organized in 1933, Edison Electric Institute works closely with its members, representing their interests and advocating public policies in legislative and public policy arenas.

New owner of Allstate agency in Carson City

Steve Leetzow is the new owner of an exclusive Allstate Insurance agency at 3915 South Carson Street. The office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment on Saturday. The telephone number is (775) 883-4274.

Leetzow opened his business, S&G Financial Services Inc., on Aug. 1 after completing an extensive Allstate training curriculum, enabling him to provide specialized products for Carson City families and businesses including in auto, home and commercial insurance.

Dena Hug, with six years of experience with Allstate, is available to discuss these products with customers so that they can make the best choice on what coverage meets their family insurance needs. Leetzow also invites residents to meet with personal financial representative John Rice to discuss life insurance needs and retirement planning goals.

Leetzow has been a business owner in Nevada for 23 years, and lives in Carson City with his wife and four children.

Joe Locurto to head NCED rural development

The Nevada Commission on Economic Development promoted Joe Locurto to head the state's rural economic development efforts. As director, the former program coordinator accepted increased responsibilities and will manage efforts to help rural communities compete in a worldwide economy.

Some of his responsibilities include administering many of the rural grant programs . Locurto will oversee the $995,000 Local Development Grant Program, which assists Nevada's 11 rural economic development authorities with operations and special project costs.

Locurto joined the commission in May 2006, moving from Evanston, Wyo. where he was the business and community relations representative for Uinta County State Bank. Prior to his position with the bank, Locurto was the director for the Uinta County Economic Development Commission.

GNCU selects new operations support manager

Greater Nevada Credit Union has selected Rose Smith to fill its operations support manager position.

Smith previously held the position of operations manager at Cumorah Credit Union in Las Vegas. In her new position, she will support multiple branches throughout Northern Nevada. In this leadership role, Smith will help the branch staff manage their operation functions along with daily audits, compliance issues, collateral documentation, record retention and numerous other operational duties.

Smith has been very active in other credit union activities playing key roles within the "Connect for the Cause" program that is a vital organization within the California Credit Union Leagues and the Nevada Credit Union League. This group helps its members better understand state and federal issues that have an impact on the Credit Union industry.

GNCU accepting applications for board positions

Greater Nevada Credit Union is now accepting applications for two positions for its board of directors.

To qualify as a director, the individual must be a primary member on a Greater Nevada Credit Union Share Savings account, possess knowledge, experience and interest pertinent to the credit union's future, and be able to devote their voluntary time to monthly meetings and selected benefit events for a three year term.

Applications will be accepted until Nov. 7 and can be dropped off any local Branch or mailed to GNCU, P.O. Box 2128, Carson City, NV 89702.

The nominating committee evaluates all submitted applications then will present them in a general election to the membership on March 11.

For information about the position, visit gncu.org or call 886-1303.