CCSN’s boss top choice for Henderson job

Friday, Dec. 10, 1999 | 11:23 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Richard Moore, president of the Community College of Southern Nevada, appears to be a shoo-in to become president of the proposed four-year state college in Henderson.

A search committee from the regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada was to meet in Las Vegas today to make a recommendation on the presidency.

Committee Chairman Mark Alden of Las Vegas said Thursday he thinks the vote to nominate Moore will be unanimous.

"This is not a rocket science decision," he said. "I'm not going to spend $15,000 and six months (for a search) and leave Henderson sitting at the table."

"It would be a good move," Regent Thalia Dondero added. "It will save a lot of time and money." Moore has the expertise, and Henderson wants him, she said.

Regent Howard Rosenberg of Reno, also on the five-member search committee, said he favored choosing Moore.

"He (Moore) would do a damn good job. He has the energy. He's alive, and he knows Henderson."

A move led by Alden at the regents meeting last week in Reno fell one vote short of selecting Moore. Instead the majority chose to set up a search committee to come back with a recommendation. The committee will interview only one candidate -- Moore -- and then decide whether to conduct a search.

Before talking to Moore, the committee will discuss the criteria for the job, the salary range and the length of the contract. Alden said the president's job in Henderson exists only until June 30, 2001, unless the Legislature agrees to create the school.

The search committee was named by Regents Chairwoman Jill Derby and is weighted toward the selection of Moore. Three of the five wanted to choose Moore at the last board meeting. Regent Dorothy Gallagher of Elko is also a strong Moore supporter and is on the search committee.

Rosenberg and Regent Doug Hill of Reno voted to start a search instead of selecting Moore immediately. Hill, a member of the search committee, won't be present at the meeting. He will be replaced by Derby, who favored Moore.

Rosenberg, in talking about the energy of Moore, said, "He's all over the place. At times, I could kill him. He's made some bad decisions." But he added Moore is the best person for the job.

"We need to get a start," Rosenberg said.

Moore, if he is nominated and confirmed by the full Board of Regents in January, would start the planning for the college, direct the raising of private funds and draft the budget to be presented to the 2001 Legislature.