Illness forces Wiesner to resign as regent

Cy Ryan and Jennifer Knight

Friday, Feb. 1, 2002 | 11:17 a.m.

Tom Wiesner, a longtime prominent Las Vegas businessman and political figure, has resigned from the Board of Regents.

After battling leukemia for three months and missing three regents meetings, Wiesner this week tendered his resignation from the board to Gov. Kenny Guinn, who selected a native Las Vegan and University of Nevada, Las Vegas, graduate to replace him.

The governor named Laura Lopez Hobbs, who is senior manager of corporate human resources for Southwest Gas Corp., where Guinn was longtime chairman. She will take over at the next Regents meeting scheduled March 6 and 7 in Reno.

Speaking from a hospital in Seattle, where Wiesner is undergoing treatment for acute myeloid leukemia, the former Wisconsin University football star and local Big Dogs Group casino-bar owner said: "I resigned because it's going to be a long time before I can be there."

"This certainly makes you re-evaluate what's important," said Wiesner, who was elected in 1996. His term expires at the end of this year.

Guinn said, "No single person I can think of has been more involved in our university system than Tom Wiesner." He has raised money for scholarships, for buildings and worked to start a football program at UNLV, the governor said.

Regent Chairwoman Thalia Dondero praised Wiesner. "He is a dear friend and the entire board will miss his wit and wisdom." She said she was looking forward to working with Hobbs.

Said higher education Chancellor Jane Nichols, "Tom always asked hard questions and could be counted on to come up with sensible solutions. We will miss him terribly as a board member and we will continue to value him as a friend."

Wiesner previously served on the Clark County Commission, was president of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and was a director on the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. He was also active in Republican politics and served as GOP National Chairman for Nevada.

"Naturally this is a great honor, but I have mixed feelings because of his (Wiesner's) condition," said Hobbs, who has worked at Southwest Gas since 1993. "I know Mr. Wiesner by reputation only and he certainly has been very prominent."

Hobbs, a Rancho High School graduate, earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from UNLV in 1981 and a master's in 1990 from UNLV.

A UNLV basketball season-ticket holder, she has no prior political experience and has not yet decided whether to seek permanent office this fall.

She said Guinn called her Thursday and offered her the job. "I am a product of this community and it will give me an opportunity to give something back to the system."

Hobbs, a Republican, is the wife of Guy Hobbs, chairman of the Nevada Tax Commission. She previously worked at Valley Bank of Nevada. She is involved in the Nevada International Women's Forum and the Latin Chamber of Commerce.

Wiesner said he endorsed the appointment of Hobbs.

Wiesner's reasons for coming on the board were similar to Hobbs'. He said he had gotten involved in higher education because he wanted to give back to Las Vegas.

"I've had a very rewarding experience," Wiesner said. "I'm appreciative of the opportunity to serve but am frustrated with the system. It doesn't run as well as it should. I think that anyone who gets themselves involved on a board with 13 people has their hands full."

Sun Reporter Ed Koch contributed to this story.