McKinney-James on city manager list

Diana Sahagun

Friday, April 12, 2002 | 9:39 a.m.

The search for a new Las Vegas city manager has unofficially begun, with a well-known former public official and lobbyist topping the list of interested candidates.

It's been less than two weeks since Virginia Valentine announced she was resigning, effective May 31.

The City Council will ultimately decide who will fill Valentine's shoes, and whether the search will be national or strictly local, but Mayor Oscar Goodman already has talked to at least four potential candidates.

His most recent meeting was Thursday with Rose McKinney-James, a former member of the state Public Services Commission, who expressed interest in the position. The meeting was set up at the request of Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald, who also attended, Goodman said.

McKinney-James, an unsuccessful candidate for lieutenant governor, was president and chief executive officer for Solar Technology and Renewable Resources before forming her own company, Energy Works Consulting.

She also served as chief of staff in Las Vegas for then-City Manager Ashley Hall.

McKinney-James said the meeting gave her a chance to get acquainted with the mayor and talk about her background.

"I've had a substantial amount of experience in public poilicy, at the Legislature, and I believe that this will be a very challenging year for local governments at the Legislature," she said. "I'm sure they will be looking for someone that can help them with that."

Goodman said he also has met with political consultant Terry Murphy and Deputy City Managers Betsy Fretwell and Doug Selby.

Goodman said he also has a favorite "in the bull-pen," but would not divulge the name.

"I'm looking for the very best," he said. "Everybody I've spoken with ... they're all wonderful people."

Boggs McDonald said she met McKinney-James, former president of government affairs for Faiss Foley Merica, while serving as assistant city manager for the city, dealing with issues in the '95 and '97 Legislature. McKinney-James was a lobbyist.

In addition to extensive lobbying skills, Boggs McDonald said McKinney-James' other strength is having both public sector and private sector experience.

Valentine, meanwhile, announced Thursday that she has a new job, as senior vice president of government affairs for the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce.

Valentine said the job offers her a combination of challenge and flexibility, giving her more time to spend with her young daughter. She will start July 1.

Kara Kelley, the chamber's president and chief executive officer, said the position has been vacant for months, and she saw an opportunity once Valentine announced her resignation. Kelley said while the chamber is large, it operates like a small company, with 60 employees.