Governor names two business regulators

Tuesday, Aug. 10, 1999 | 11:05 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn today named a Las Vegas woman to the state Transportation Authority and a Henderson man as state labor commissioner.

Sandra Avants, who has been deputy commissioner to the Transportation Authority, is being elevated to commissioner, a job that pays $80,718. She succeeds John Mendoza, the retired commission chairman.

The governor said, however, that former Clark County Commissioner Paul Christensen, a member of the commission, would be chairman of the agency. It regulates limousines, household movers and other surface transportation businesses.

Guinn also appointed Terry Johnson of Henderson to the $54,273 a year job as labor commissioner, to succeed David Dahn who resigned earlier this year. He is currently assistant business advocate with the state Department of Business and Industry, where he acts as a liaison between private businesses and state agencies.

The labor commissioner is responsible for enforcing claims for wages and setting prevailing wage schedules for the various parts of Nevada. Traditionally, the post has always been filled by somebody from organized labor, said Danny Thompson, director-treasurer of the Nevada AFL-CIO. He said he did not know Johnson.

Both appointments are effective immediately.

Avants formerly worked for the state Real Estate Division and was executive director of the Taxicab Authority in Clark County. In 1995 she opened her own government affairs, public relations and advertising firm and later joined the Transportation Authority.

"The people we've chosen will provide the leadership and vision that will enable the agencies to serve the people of Nevada well," Guinn said.