Business news & notes

A unanimous federal court decision awarded the Mustang Ranch name and trademark to Lance Gilman, ending a five-year court battle.

In December 2006, the district court in Reno ruled that Gilman was entitled to use the name Mustang Ranch, but that ruling was appealed by David Burgess to a federal appeal court in San Francisco.

Burgess is the nephew of Joe Conforte who opened the Mustang Ranch in 1971 as Nevada's first legal brothel.

Gilman, who operates the Wild Horse brothel, purchased the Mustang Ranch buildings, name and trademark from the federal government for $145,000 on eBay. The property was seized from Conforte in 1999 for tax evasion.

Gilman then moved the Mustang Ranch buildings out to the site of his Wild Horse brothel, eight miles east of Sparks off of I-80.

The Nevada Commission on Economic Development named Lindsay Anderson as an incentive and research analyst. Anderson will be responsible for leading the state's business development research and policy analysis. Anderson will also conduct economic impact analysis for individual state projects and for use in determining values of projects.

City National Bank has launched City National Preferred Banking, a service targeting those with a minimum combined balance of $250,000. For more information, visit the bank's Web site at www.cnb.com.

Interest has been strong at Jet Ranch, a five-building, three-acre aircraft hangar development at the Carson City Airport, says Ralph Smith, executive vice president and chief operating officer for builder Valley Construction Co. of Reno.

Buildings one and two have already been completed. They total just over 45,000 square feet and contain 10 high-end hangars. Built with the intention to lease, space in both buildings is up for sale to private individuals with several deals pending, Smith says.

Building three, which should be completed in March or April of 2009, is intended for developer Tom Gonzales.

Co-owner Steve Lewis is brokering sales of space in the other two buildings for KCXP Investments LLC of Dayton. Smith says two challenging aspects of the project were receiving the necessary approvals from the Carson City Airport Authority and the Carson City Board of Supervisors, and construction of the radius steel roofs of the structures.

A second phase of 12 hangars totaling 30,000 square feet between two buildings is planned adjacent to the west side of the site.

Steve Leetzow is celebrating one full year of helping Carson City-area residents protect their property and prepare for the future as owner of an exclusive Allstate insurance agency located at 3915 S. Carson St. "This milestone with Allstate is very important to me," Leetzow said. "I have enjoyed working with so many families in Carson City and thank each and every one for supporting my business." The office telephone number is 883-4274.

The Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) has named Tina Iftiger as director of business development.

In her position, Iftiger will lead the organization's efforts to recruit, expand and start up high yield business and industry that create high paying jobs and opportunities throughout the Greater Reno-Tahoe region. Prior to joining EDAWN, Iftiger was a consultant to local land developers and businesses in acquiring new projects and financing. She also served as vice president and general manager of Landmark Communities' master planned communities division in Reno for four years.

Iftiger has a masters degree in urban planning with an emphasis on local economic development, and a bachelors in planning and development from the University of Southern California. Iftiger is a member of the Urban Land Institute, the American Planning Association and the International Economic Development Council.

Dayton resident, Paige Beckwith has joined Jockey Person to Person as a Comfort Specialist consultant. "It is very exciting to be a part of a company that provides promising opportunities and has the strength of the Jockey brand," said Beckwith. "It is a perfect business to start at any point in life." Jockey Person to Person is the direct sales division of Jockey International, Inc., featuring a unique line of women's intimate apparel, sleepwear, activewear and a new collection of "Comfort Extras" in a home party setting sold only by independent Comfort Specialist consultants. For information on Jockey Person to Person, contact Paige Beckwith at claybygrace@sbcglobal.net.

The mother and daughter team of Jan and Andrea Lindsey have opened their new massage studio Ð Bodies in Balance across from the Stratton Center on Highway 395 in Gardnerville. They offer personalized massage based on client needs. The Lindseys are dedicated to healthy physical activity in both leisure and competitive sports. As nationally certified massage therapists and certified personal trainers, they offer deep tissue, Swedish, hot stones, pre/post prenatal, and Ashiatsu massage. Their combined training in many massage modalities, in addition to their fitness training, is beneficial in treating anyone who develops tight muscles resulting from sports, stress, or health issues. For a massage or personal consultation, call Jan or Andrea at 775 450-1635 or 450-1636.

Kenneth Parr has been selected as the Area Manager for Reclamation's Lahontan Basin Area Office. Mr. Parr oversees Reclamation facilities throughout northern Nevada and eastern California. His responsibilities include management of the Newlands, Truckee River Storage, Washoe, and Humboldt Projects focusing on a variety of water resources issues. Since the retirement of Ms. Betsy Rieke in June 2008, Mr. Parr has been the Acting Area Manager of the Lahontan Basin Area Office in Carson City, Nevada. Mr. Parr earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Science from Utah State University at Logan in 1980.

Events this week:

Wednesday

Carson City Chamber of Commerce Mixer, 5 p.m., Red's Old 395 Grill, 1055 S. Carson St.

Thursday

Nevada Business Connections breakfast meeting. 8 a.m. at Gold Dust West. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Cost is $20. RSVP to 882-8306. Mayoral candidates Bob Crowell and Ken Haskins will be the guest speakers.