National search advocated for Cortez successor

Wednesday, May 5, 2004 | 11:06 a.m.

A tourism expert at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas says the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority should conduct a nationwide search for a replacement for outgoing Chief Executive Manny Cortez.

But Patti Shock, chairwoman of the Tourism and Convention Administration Department at the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at UNLV, also said she doubts anyone would be found as capable as heir-apparent Rossi Ralenkotter, executive vice president of the LVCVA.

"I think Rossi would do an excellent job," Shock said today. "He certainly understands the product, the history and the politics of Las Vegas. There just aren't any bureaus out there that could prepare anyone for Las Vegas."

Shock said one of the unusual characteristics of the LVCVA job is that it oversees not only a convention and visitors bureau, but also convention centers.

"I can't think of another bureau that has the convention center under its aegis," Shock said. "Most, if not all convention centers, other than Las Vegas, are separate entities from bureaus. The LVCVA is a combination of a bureau and a facility. To find someone with experience in both areas is like finding a needle in a haystack."

Ralenkotter has been identified as the most likely successor to Cortez, who will retire on July 2.

Ralenkotter, a 31-year LVCVA employee and a resident of Las Vegas for more than 50 years, says he's interested in the job.

"One of my career goals has been to eventually become president and chief executive officer of the LVCVA," Ralenkotter said Tuesday. "I'm definitely interested in the position and, hopefully, the board will look favorably on my experience here."

Ralenkotter has been in line for succession since being named executive vice president 1 1/2 years ago. At the LVCVA board's request, a succession plan was developed in the event of an emergency. Under it, Ralenkotter would have become the top executive if Cortez were unable to perform the job.

LVCVA board Chairman James Gibson, the mayor of Henderson, said he hasn't yet discussed a succession plan with the 13-member board that includes elected officials from across Southern Nevada and resort executives.

"We'll determine that as a group," Gibson said Tuesday. "I know that we don't have that item on our agenda for our next meeting, but I expect we'll discuss it as a non-action item. We'll have some discussion without deliberating and probably consider a process on the June agenda."

Gibson said the board hasn't determined whether it would conduct a search for a candidate to fill Cortez's slot.

UNLV's Shock thinks a national search is a good idea.

"We have to conduct a national search for any open faculty position in academia," she said. "In many cases it only goes to confirm that the in-house candidate is the best choice."

Cortez, 65, who has headed the LVCVA for 13 years, led the organization during a period of unprecedented growth for Las Vegas and helped develop publicity campaigns that eventually resulted in attracting more than 35.5 million visitors in 2003. Visitation is on track to shatter the tourism record of 35.8 million people set in 2000.

When Cortez took over as president and chief executive in 1991, there were 21.3 million visitors.

Cortez said he has no plans for public service, employment or consulting opportunities, saying "it's time to move on."