LVGEA Welcomes Three New Board Members

Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) has appointed three new members to serve the organization on the LVGEA50 Board of Directors: Michael Brown, Director of Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED); Hector Fernandez, Aristocrat’s President of the Americas; and Jaime Cruz, Executive Director of Workforce Connections.

Michael Brown serves as Director of the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) on October 28, 2019. Brown will be moving from his role as Director of the Nevada Department of Business and Industry (B&I). As Governor Sisolak’s inaugural Director of B&I, Brown oversaw 12 diverse state agencies, including Financial Institutions, Mortgage Lending, Employee Management Relations Board, Labor Commission, Industrial Relations, Real Estate, Attorney for Injured Workers, Insurance, Housing, and the Transportation Authority and Taxicab Authority.

Hector Fernandez is Aristocrat’s President of the Americas, overseeing the company’s multiple teams in North and South America. Most recently, he was the Chief Financial Officer at Aristocrat. His fluency in English and Spanish serves him well as he leads Aristocrat from the top of Canada to the tip of Chile. A certified public accountant, he holds an MBA in Finance & Accounting from USC and a BA in Economics/Accounting and Government at Claremont McKenna College.

Jaime Cruz serves as Executive Director for Workforce Connections, Southern Nevada’s Local Workforce Development Board. Before his appointment as Executive Director in October 2017, Jaime served as Chief Strategy Officer for eight years and was instrumental in partnering with local libraries to expand the public workforce development system. Jaime understands firsthand the barriers many face when trying to improve their careers.