Hall of Fame

2008 Hall of Fame Inductee

Howard L. Skolnik

"A leader is someone people follow without being asked. He/She has a vision which others willingly share regarding where the organization is going."
- Howard Skolnik, Leadership Las Vegas Yearbook, 1995
On February 2, 2007, Governor Jim Gibbons named Howard Skolnik of Las Vegas, Director of the Nevada Department of Corrections. Skolnik was the Deputy Director for Industrial Programs at the Nevada Department of Corrections since 1987.

Skolnik worked at the Illinois Department of Corrections from 1966 to 1975 in various positions including Pre-release Coordinator, Planning Director, and Zero-Based Budgeting Coordinator. During 1975 through 1979, Skolnik worked in various consulting positions including Northwestern University, Kellogg School; International Association of Chiefs of Police, The Greater Egypt Regional Planning Association, and the Illinois Law Enforcement Commission. Skolnik was Planning Manager for the Illinois Dangerous Drugs Commission from 1978 to 1979 and the Superintendent of Correctional Industries for of the Illinois Department of Corrections from 1979 to 1987.

Skolnik has been a member of Board of Directors of the National Correctional Industries Association since 1986; member of the Legislative Affairs Committee, American Correctional Association; Vice Chair of the Correctional Industries Committee, American Correctional Association. Skolnik is a Past-President and current member, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Business Council; past Curriculum Chair, Leadership Council; member. Leadership Youth Council, Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas; Prospectors Board, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce; Business liaison for the Smart Grad program of Silverado High School; and member, Kiwanis Club of Las Vegas. Skolnik has been past President of both the National Correctional Industries Association and the Western Correctional Industries Association, the latter on two occasions.

Skolnik has a BA from Ohio State University in 1966 and received an M.S.W. from the University of Illinois in 1970.


2007 Hall of Fame Inductee

Gina Polovina

"Leadership is the ability to perceive common things in an uncommon way coupled with the capacity to inspire others to strive toward a desired goal."
- Gina Polovina, Leadership Las Vegas Yearbook, 1998

2006 Hall of Fame Inductee

Valerie Wiener

"It starts with one person, one idea, and the unswerving determination to put a plan into action. That's leadership. When that person combines his or her talents and insight with other inventive, resourceful, committed individuals...that's Leadership Las Vegas."
- Valerie Wiener, Leadership Las Vegas Yearbook, 1990

2005 Hall of Fame Inductee

John Wilcox

"A leader establishes a vision and motivates others to achieve it. They do so by demonstrating their personal commitment in every aspect of their life. A Leadership Las Vegas graduate is a teacher, a counselor, a motivator, a listener and a role model."
- John Wilcox, Leadership Las Vegas Yearbook, 1992

2004 Hall of Fame Inductee

Henry Hoogland