INSIGHT with LVGEA

Ms. Casey brings extensive and diverse experience in leadership, public administration, marketing, business development and retention, and strategic planning as the leader of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, a nonprofit organization working to create a prosperous and diverse economy for Southern Nevada.

Previously, she served as President & CEO of the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance since October 2020, during which she transitioned the organization with the delivery of a new Strategic Plan, achieved the status of Accredited Economic Development Organization, engaged formally with regional community partners, renamed and restructured its bylaws and nonprofit status to a 501c3 public charity, and received numerous recognition awards – specifically in 2024 the Bronze Award for Economic Development Organization of the Year from the International Economic Development Council.

Prior to her leadership at AREA, Ms. Casey served as the Executive Vice President for the Greater Sacramento Economic Council and oversaw the organization’s business development, marketing and communications, investor engagement, research, and strategic initiatives critical to advancing economic growth in Greater Sacramento. She led the comprehensive launch and execution of a best-in-class national site selection consultant strategy and established first-ever memorandums of understanding with seven local commercial real estate brokerage offices, receiving a Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council in 2020 for a joint publication she spearheaded with CBRE. She established critical internal efficiencies with revisions to all organizational practices from database management to budget development and oversight. Even in the wake of COVID-19, the organization succeeded in meeting all its annual metrics and job creation goals and launching a regional business retention and expansion outreach program.

From 2013 – 2018, Danielle served the well-known City of Scottsdale, Arizona as its Economic Development Director. Under her leadership, the department received six awards of excellence from the International Economic Development Council, status as an Accredited Economic Development Organization, the 2015 ‘Large Community Economic Development Organization of the Year’ award from the Arizona Association for Economic Development, and unanimous Council approval of a Five-Year Economic Development Strategic Plan – the first for the community in more than 15 years. During her tenure, the department was directly involved in projects accounting for more than $24 million in 5-year direct revenue impact to the city, $7 billion in 5-year total economic impact, 4,428 or more new jobs in the first 12 months of business operation alone and $160 million in new capital investment.

Ms. Casey served in various executive roles at the City of Maricopa, Ariz. Starting in 2005, lastly as the Assistant City Manager. Departments under her oversight included economic development, community and development services, capital improvement, public works and City-wide marketing and communications activities. She managed several noteworthy tasks in the establishment of the City’s economic development office, such as the creation of an Industrial Development Authority, the City’s first Redevelopment District and Area Plan, the establishment of a local economic development 501 (c) 3 (the Maricopa Economic Development Alliance), City-wide branding and Economic Development Strategic Plan. Prior to her time in Maricopa, she attained significant experience in the non-profit sector working in fundraising, marketing, and event and membership management at the Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art in Phoenix, Arizona and at Save The Bay in Providence, Rhode Island.

Ms. Casey received her bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and Master of Administration from Northern Arizona University. She is both a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) as well as a certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP). She is a member of the International Economic Development Council and serves on its Board of Directors as Vice Chair. She also serves as an instructor at the Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute and serves on its Board of Directors . Danielle is a proud Past President of the Arizona Association for Economic Development, a statewide professional association with more than 500480 public and private members, and on numerous volunteer leadership boards within past and current communities.

In May 2010, Ms. Casey was the honored recipient of the ‘Economic Developer of the Year – Small Community’ award from the Arizona Association for Economic Development and in January 2017 she was recognized as a national top ‘40 under 40 Rising Star’ in economic development by Development Counsellors International. In addition, she is co-founder of the Arizona Chapter of Women Leading Government.

An Air Force brat, Ms. Casey has had the great privilege of living in Texas, Ohio, Alabama, Louisiana, Utah, Rhode Island, Arizona, California and New Mexico throughout her life. A past frequent visitor, she is thrilled to now call Las Vegas, Nevada her permanent home, along with her trusty English bulldog Sophie, heeler/cattle dog mix Persie, and her amazing and supportive husband Steve.

Dr. Jim Hodge is the Senior Vice President of Power Sources at Lithion Battery.  Previously, Dr. Hodge was a founder of K2 Energy Solutions, where he served as Chief Technical Officer.  Prior to K2, he was Director of Henderson Operations for Valence Technology, where he was instrumental in the scale-up and operation of that company’s lithium iron phosphate production.  He earned his Ph.D in Materials Science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and possesses extensive experience in commercialization of products based on advanced materials and chemical technology.  His most recent work has been focused upon the development and commercialization of energy storage systems based upon lithium ion battery technology.  In addition, he has wide expertise in commercial application of ceramics, metals, and polymers in areas as diverse as electronics packaging, high intensity discharge lamps, advanced fuel cell technology, and electrical switchgear and RF products based on high temperature superconductors. 

Ash Zare is the General Manager for the Southwestern US region of CAE – a global leader in flight simulation and training.

Since getting into entrepreneurship and business management, Ash has been fortunate to run operations in global cities such as Dubai, Toronto, Montreal, Seoul and Las Vegas.

Ash holds an MBA from the University of Toronto and a BSc. in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Waterloo in Canada.

While not working, Ash is an avid ultra-runner and an amateur stand-up comedian.

Amy Respini joins LVGEA as Talent Liaison, as part of a partnership with Workforce Connections/EmployNV, where she has been a member of their Business Services Team since March 2022. Bringing her ability to develop professional relationships that bridge community partners, resources, and businesses, Amy facilitates an integrated public workforce development system that links financial incentives for hiring Nevadans and diverse talent to businesses in all industries and sizes.

Amy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Southern Oregon University and is certified in Mediation and Conflict Negotiation. With a diverse background in banking, corrections, education, and workforce development, she enjoys volunteering her time on committees that span across the Vegas Valley when she can be of help.

Outside of work, Amy enjoys trips to visit her adult children and the outdoors via motorcycle rides, camping, hiking, rafting, wine tasting, and scuba diving with her husband. She is an active Auxiliary Member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and is frequently seen across the Vegas Valley at business networking events in her advocacy of the business resources offered by LVGEA. Amy truly exhibits her personal and professional philosophy that ‘We haven’t come this far, to only come this far.’