The Wheel for February 9, 2017

by Feb 9, 2017Blog, The Wheel0 comments

The Wheel


Roger Thomas- Wynn architect

roger thomasRoger Thomas is executive vice president design for Wynn Design and Development. He created the interiors of Wynn Las Vegas and Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. He led the interior design of Wynn Macau and designed Encore Macau.  Mr. Thomas just completed and opened the opulent Wynn Palace, Cotai, China.

Mr. Thomas was senior vice president and director of interior design for Atlandia Design, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mirage Resorts Incorporated.   For 20 years, he designed the interiors of the company’s many properties, including the Golden Nugget hotels in Las Vegas and Laughlin, and the most important properties on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mirage, Treasure Island and the world-famous Bellagio Resort.

While a recognized leader in interior design for the hospitality industry, Mr. Thomas has also designed corporate offices and aircraft interiors, as well as the private residences of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Wynn.

The Roger Thomas Collection includes signature designs and products for APF Master Framemakers, Boyd Lighting, Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman, Fromental, More and Giles Leather, Rocky Mountain Hardware, Samuel and Sons Passementerie, Townsend Leather, Veneman, Koroseal, S. Harris, Maya Romanoff, SICIS, Speakman Plumbing, The Phillips Collection and Studio A.

Mr. Thomas was elected to the Hospitality Design Platinum Circle in 2005 and received a Lifetime Achievement award from the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality in the same year. In 2008 Mr Thomas was named “Designer of the Year” at The International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show® (IH/M&RS) in New York. In February 2009, Mr Thomas received the 2009 Design Icon distinction from the World Market Center in Las Vegas, and in November 2009, he received the Jay Sarno lifetime achievement award at the G2E expo in recognition of his significant career achievements in the field of casino resort interior design. In 2010 Mr Thomas received the Excellence in Design award from the Interior Designers Institute. In 2012 he was inducted as an icon by the Art Academy University of San Francisco. Mr. Thomas is a member of Architectural Digest’s A.D. 100. In 2015, Mr. Thomas was installed in the Interior Design Hall of Fame.  

An avid supporter of the arts, Mr. Thomas founded the Bank of America Nevada Fine Art Collection. He served on the boards of the Nevada Museum of Fine Arts, Neon Museum   Nevada Institute for Contemporary Art, Nevada Ballet Theater and the Wheelwright Museum Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was a Trustee of the Las Vegas Art Museum and is currently a member of the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation Board.

Additionally, he has taken an active role in the arts and architecture of the city, county and state throughout his professional career. He served on the Nevada Arts Council, a gubernatorial appointment; the McCarran Airport Arts Advisory Committee; the Clark County Government Center Architect Selection Committee; the Clark County Federal Courthouse Architect Selection Committee; and the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Architect Selection Committee.

Mr. Thomas serves on the Board of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

Mr. Thomas is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and The School of the Museum of Fine Art in Boston, MA. He received a BFA in Art History from Tufts University and an honorary masters’ degree from the Interior Design Institute. His work has been published in leading journals, including Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Interiors and Hospitality Design.

Born in Salt Lake City, he has lived most of his life in Las Vegas, where he still makes his home.

Message From The President

David ThorsonDear Rotarians,

The origins of St. Valentine’s Day are associated with the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration celebrated annually on February 15th. Around 496, Pope Gelasius I recast this pagan festival as a Christian feast day and changed the date to February 14th.

There were several Saints “Valentinus” at that time but it is unresolved which one, and for what reason, they were associated with this
festival. It wasn’t until the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished, that this festival became definitively associated with romance. Historians suggest it was the famous poet Geoffrey Chaucer who first linked St. Valentine’s Day with love:

“ For this was on St. Valentine’s Day,
When every fowl cometh there to choose his mate”

Interestingly, in 1969 the Catholic Church demoted Valentine’s Day from being an official church holiday although the Anglican and
Lutheran Churches, among others, still count it as an official feast day.

Certainly, we here at the Las Vegas Rotary Club celebrate it as a feast day, inviting our spouses and dining on prime rib! Enjoy the feast!

David Thorson
President 2016 -2017
Las Vegas Rotary

Scribe – February 2, 2017

  • President David Thorson called the meeting to order.
  • Rodney Tucker gave the invocation. Sidra Kain led the club in singing the “America the Beautiful.” The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the Sergeant-at-Arms was John Ingeme.
  • There were (0) International Rotarians, (1) Visiting Rotarian and (12) Guests of Rotarians were introduced.
  • The drawing began at $3,886.00 plus this week’s donations. The winner gets half the pot and half goes to the Las Vegas Rotary Foundation. Ticket Winner: Dr. Walt Rulffes who won $10! Lawry Bucks Winner: Matthew Nelson.
  • The following Rotarians were at the birthday table: Stephen Kasbeer, Peter Samoulis, Dr. Walt Rulffes, Ty Hilbrecht, Bill Stephan and Ryan Hamilton. Ted McAdam led the club in singing “Happy Birthday.”
  • Deb Granda informed us that Bob Patten had been moved to hospice and a moment of silence and prayer was observed to support Bob and his family at this difficult time.
  • Stu Lipoff shared the promotional slideshow for the LV Rotary “Cars for a Cause” Car Show with the club.
  • Past President Jim Tucker generated the random numbers for the Super Bowl board.
  • Jim Kohl presented a check for $2,000 to Toys 4 Smiles on behalf of Howard & Howard and the Las Vegas Rotary Foundation and Toys 4 Smiles presented our Club, Past President Jim Hunt and Howard & Howard with plaques of appreciation for our support.
  • Past President Mary Ann Avnet announced that there are openings for students to interview for the opportunity to attend RYLA on April 28-30, 2017. If you know any high school juniors that may qualify, please reach out to Mary Ann or Shawn Noorda.
  • Janice Lencke reminded the club to make donations in “Porsche The Piggy’s” belly to go towards the LV Rotary Foundation.
  • Marie Walsh announced that the next breakfast with books is on February 14, 2017 at 7:45am. She also announced that the Valedictorian Luncheon is on April 20, 2017.
  • President David Thorson announced that the next Wetzel Awards is at 3pm on March 23, 2017 at Nellis AFB.
  • Kirk Alexander announced that the Dan Stover Music Contest is on March 9, 2017.
  • Francesca Gilebrt announced that the Four Way Speech Contest will be February 23, 2017.
  • Arleen Sirois announced that the next Wine to Water event will be held at Dr. Kaz Fathie’s home on February 22, 2017 at 6pm. Please bring an appetizer and a bottle of wine to share. Please sign up on the Rotary Event Virtual Clipboard.
  • President David Thorson fined Past President Brock Fraser for retiring from being the UNLV Swimming and Diving announcer after 36 years of service.
  • Past President Brock Fraser introduced the speaker, Past President Tom Thomas. Tom told the club about his recent trip to Antarctica where he climbed the highest peak on that continent, Mt. Vinson. He detailed his journey to the coldest and driest place on Earth as well as discussed how they set up the campsites. He shared pictures of the adventure and stories about how to survive the frozen and desolate wilderness.
  • President David Thorson presented the speaker with a “Sole Power Award” and adjourned the meeting.


Pin It on Pinterest

Share This