Bob Cashell offers to play role in RSCVA

Thursday, April 27, 2000 | 12:35 p.m.

Now, Bob Cashell thinks he can help the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority through its executive transition, maybe even be the new president and chief executive officer.

"They need to have somebody to get them through this period that understands our community," Cashell told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "I'm kind of goofy," he added of his willingness to volunteer for the challenge - for $1 a year.

Cashell, 62, is chief executive officer Ormsby House Hotel & Casino in Carson City, where his term will phase out after new owners are licensed, and is chairman of the board for the Alamo Auto-Truck Plaza in Sparks.

His resume includes a 20-year stint as owner of Boomtown Hotel-Casino, former owner of what was the Horseshoe Casino, lieutenant governor from 1982-86 and a term as chairman of RSCVA's board of directors in the early and mid-1990s during construction of the National Bowling Stadium.

RSCVA board members Pete Sferrazza, Jeff Griffin and Gary Bullis call Cashell's offer generous.

Sferrazza, a Washoe County commissioner, said he isn't committing to anybody, "But certainly Bob Cashell has a great deal of experience in the business. That's an offer which I would certainly seriously consider."

RSCVA's chief operating officer, Lynn Thompson, has served as interim CEO for the last month. RSCVA's board will consider formally appointing him to the interim role and weigh plans for a permanent replacement.

Cashell would accept any role including interim CEO if Thompson is not appointed, after which Cashell would consider the job permanently if RSCVA liked his performance.

He also would help introduce the permanent CEO to community leaders if he were not chosen or would help Thompson connect in the community.