Women of Distinction awards ceremony planned

Michelle Swafford

Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005 | 10:52 a.m.

The Southern Nevada chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners on Monday announced nominees and winners for a series of awards that will be presented next month.

The women's group, which has more than 200 members, will hold its seventh annual Women of Distinction Awards gala March 12 at the Rio Pavilion Convention Center. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a silent auction and is open to the public. Tickets are $150 per person and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Women's Development Center.

"The significance of these awards is that women have made incredible contributions to not only the business community, but the greater community at-large," NAWBO president Betty Mahalik said. "It's really a great honor for NAWBO to celebrate the great contributions of these women. Because they already stand out, we want to do this awards event in a way that stands out."

Distinction award winners were chosen by their peers in various industries. Those who will receive awards in March include: Diane Conant, a partner for Conant, Nelson & Conant, for accounting; Kathy Maynor, chief operating officer of Nevada Commerce Bank for banking; Marla Letizia, president and chief executive of Mobile Billboards of Las Vegas for marketing and communications; Valerie Moon, director of convention advertising FFE Display for convention services; Louise Helton, executive director of Cities in Schools, for education; Jeanne Richard Jones, president of ALPHA Services, for entrepreneurship; Carol Carter, president of EGADS, for gaming; Clark County District Court Judge Sally Loehrer for legal; Dr. Florence Jameson, an obstetrician and gynecologist; Cynthia Cicero, diversity liaison for McCarran International Airport, for minority business advo cate; Myrna Kingham, broker and owner of Tower Realty Group, for real estate; Toni Chaltiel, a homemaker and local philanth! ropist, for philanthropy; Susan Philipp, national director of property management for Coastal Partners LLC, for construction and development; and Paula Francis, news anchor for KLAS Channel 8, for community service.

A special award will be given to one woman who has achieved success in her business, breaking the glass ceiling in the process. Finalists for the Glass Ceiling Award include Kara Kelley, president and chief executive of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce; Robbie Graham, president of Nevada Title; and Lynn Copriviza, director of marketing and events for M.J. Christensen Diamond Centers.

An award will be given to a rising businesswoman who is on the path to success. Finalists for the Rising Star Award are LaSonia Maxey, community relations officer of Citibank (West); Francine Mazza, Nevada recruiting/college relations manager for Enterprise Rent-a-Car; and Lori Mardian Williams, owner of the Blackjack Lodge.