Valentine picked as assistant county manager

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, Oct. 10, 2002 | 10:59 a.m.

With the Clark County Commission's blessing, former Las Vegas City Manager Virginia Valentine will become the the county's third assistant county manager, replacing Mike Alastuey.

Clark County Manager Thom Reilly chose Valentine late Wednesday after interviewing three finalists for the job.

"I'm excited about it," Valentine said. "I've talked to Thom about some of the challenges facing the county. I enjoy being challenged and I love local government; you're closer to the people and the community."

Reilly and Valentine have yet to decide on a starting date or settle on a salary. The job pays up to $150,000 a year.

The other finalists were Gail Waiters, assistant city manager of Oakland, Calif., and Marlene Lockard, who was chief of staff under former Gov. Richard Bryan. Valentine, who served as city manager for four years, is senior vice president of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce.

Murray and Associates, a California-based recruitment firm hired by the county after Alastuey resigned in August, collected about 120 applications for the position. The company whittled the field to 12.

A team of senior managers, department heads and community leaders interviewed the 12 candidates and sat in on their presentations before forwarding five names to Reilly's office. The list was down to three by Wednesday.

Valentine resigned from the city in April to spend more time with her 2-year-old daughter. Valentine said her daughter is older and is at the stage where she should spend more time around other children.

In the last several months she has also learned her job, whether at the city or chamber, is only as time-consuming as she allows it to be.

"I've found that how much I work is not a function of my job, but my personality," Valentine said.

Reilly's recommendation must be ratified by commissioners. The board is scheduled to consider the hiring of Valentine during its Nov. 5 meeting.