Host
Donna Ruff
President & CEO
Donna Ruff is an accomplished corporate leader with more than 20 years of management experience and a solid background in Supplier Diversity, executive leadership, and business development. Her expertise in program direction, contract negotiations, and sustainability initiatives has enabled her to develop and implement metrics, analyses, improvements, timelines, budgets, and processes that drive cost-saving innovations. Donna's vision for empowering minority-owned businesses will drive positive impacts in Northern California, Nevada, and Hawai'i. Recognized with accolades like the 2020 WRMSDC MBEIC People's Choice, the 2022 Supplier Diversity Leader of the Year, and the 2023 Top 5 Most Influential Women in D&I by CIO Views, Donna is a powerful advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Co-Host
Kenyatta Lewis
Executive Director of Supplier Inclusion, Sustainable Procurement & Training
Kenyatta Lewis is responsible for defining innovative strategies for supplier inclusion and sustainable procurement at MGM Resorts. She has designed, implemented, and expanded the companyâs supplier diversity program which has spent over $4 billion with certified diverse owned businesses since 2000, with the goal of 15% total spend with diverse firms by 2025. In 2016, she developed the Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, which pairs diverse suppliers with MGM Resorts executives and provides critical business coaching to elevate corporate readiness. More than 100 businesses have been positively impacted by this program. Additionally, she is responsible for implementing the companyâs sustainable procurement strategy aimed to address environmental and social impacts through the supply chain. Kenyatta has been recognized nationally as a subject matter expert and named a 2022 Women of Distinction in Hospitality, Retail & Conventions by NAWBO-Southern Nevada. She leads MGM Resortsâ executive Supplier Inclusion Task Force and is a member of the Institute for Supply Managementâs Sustainability Committee. Kenyatta earned her degree in Business Management and served eight years in the United States Army Reserves.
Rose Davis
Director of Corporate Services & MBE Development (Nevada)
Rose Davis serves as Director of Corporate Services & MBE Development (Nevada) for the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council. She has dedicated more than two decades to passionately championing diverse businesses for inclusion within corporate Americaâs purchasing and supply chain strategies. Rose has over 25 years of experience in supplier diversity, business development, accounting, and finance. Her accomplishments include a 29 percent 5-year net growth in Nevada MBEs from 2017-2021. Recently, she was awarded the 2023 Entrepreneurial Spirit of the Year Award-Urban by the Nevada Small Business Administration.
Randy S Beck
Strategic Sourcing Director Facilities (MRO) and Horticulture
Randy S Beck is the Strategic Sourcing Director Facilities (MRO) and Horticulture for MGM Resorts International who brings over four decades of procurement expertise, highlighted by his certification as a Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.). Specializing in the expansive sourcing needs of large organizations, Randy has honed his skills in supply chain management, including purchasing, distribution, and inventory control. His experience encompasses strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, and effective staff management, showcasing his ability to lead teams and implement cost-saving strategies. Prior to his career at MGM Resorts, Randyâs career trajectory includes pivotal roles at UNLV, First National Bank Alaska, and Fairbanks School District, among others. Randyâs proficiency in Microsoft Suite and various Accounting and Inventory software, combined with his deep understanding of commodities, market trends, and supplier dynamics, positions him as a key figure in optimizing procurement processes. His dedication to efficiency and cost reduction has consistently translated into increased profitability for the organizations he has served.
Moderator
Donna Ruff
President & CEO
Donna Ruff is an accomplished corporate leader with more than 20 years of management experience and a solid background in Supplier Diversity, executive leadership, and business development. Her expertise in program direction, contract negotiations, and sustainability initiatives has enabled her to develop and implement metrics, analyses, improvements, timelines, budgets, and processes that drive cost-saving innovations. Donna's vision for empowering minority-owned businesses will drive positive impacts in Northern California, Nevada, and Hawai'i. Recognized with accolades like the 2020 WRMSDC MBEIC People's Choice, the 2022 Supplier Diversity Leader of the Year, and the 2023 Top 5 Most Influential Women in D&I by CIO Views, Donna is a powerful advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Andy Meese
Senior Vice President of Hotel Strategy â MGM Resorts
Andy Meese is Senior Vice President of Hotel Strategy for MGM Resorts, leading strategy, initiatives, and programs for the hotel division across all Las Vegas and Regional properties, with a strong focus on maintaining margin and maximizing efficiencies for a division that does over $2.3B in profit. Prior to his current role, Meese was Vice President of Hospitality for Mandalay Bay, Delano, and Luxor, overseeing all leadership and operations for the Hotel, Food and Beverage and Retail Divisions, helping to drive the strategic direction of the campus focused on strong financial performance, best-in-class guest service and a vibrant and dynamic employee culture.
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Chuck Miller
Sr. Vice President of Hardware Engineering
Chuck Miller is the Sr. Vice President of Hardware Engineering at Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. (ATI), boasting over four years with the company and three decades of experience in the gaming industry. Graduating from college in 1985, Chuck has been a driving force behind technological advancements in gaming, holding multiple patents in the field. Hailing from Southern California, he relocated to Las Vegas in 1996, further immersing himself in the heart of the gaming world. Chuck's leadership at ATI has been instrumental in shaping cutting-edge hardware innovations, solidifying his reputation as a visionary in the industry.
Nic Steele
Executive Director
Nic Steele is the executive director of Access Community Capital Inc., a community loan fund providing affordable capital to small businesses primarily located in Southern Nevada. Access Community Capital is a minority-led, mission-driven organization directed by entrepreneurs who understand the plight of business ownership. As an entrepreneur, Nic Steele knows firsthand how lack of access to affordable capital can adversely affect the trajectory of a business and stifling its growth potential. While also investing in other entrepreneurs, he has focused on changing the landscape of opportunity for underserved populations by operating Access Community Capital as a Community Development Financial Institution, compelled to address the inequities present in the lending landscape. Nic Steele is most excited about his current role as both a lender and business advisor to entrepreneurs developing their own ideas into successful companies.
Rhoda Hassad
Supplier Diversity Manager
Rhoda Hassad is the Supplier Diversity Manager for MGM Resorts International. In her role she is focused on building an inclusive environment to increase the participation of diverse suppliers in contracting & procurement and to develop a competitive supplier base that represents the communities served.
Rhoda brings over 20 years of experience in Hospitality to her position. Most recently, she was a Hotel Operations Manager at New York-New York, an MGM Resorts property in Las Vegas. Her experience also includes various positions in Hotel Operations at Mandalay Bay and Delano Las Vegas, both MGM Resort International properties. Currently, Rhoda serves as Chair of the Professional Womenâs Employee Network Group for MGM Resortâs International. She is a member of the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association and the Women in Lodging in Nevada Association.
Niki Johns Gomoluh
Business Specialist
Niki Gomoluh has over 25 years of both public and private Purchasing and Contracts experience. A Michigan native, but longtime resident of Las Vegas, she earned her bachelorâs degree in Public Administration at UNLV and has been called upon to have worked in various roles and on projects at the City of Las Vegas over the last eighteen years. During this time, she has been an enthusiastic advocate for diverse businesses through outreach and by acting as liaison between City departments and the small business community. Niki feels very fortunate to work with a group that shares her passion for providing opportunity to local diverse businesses.
Rich Whitehead
Senior Manager, Governance and Business Administration
Rich Whitehead is a Construction Professional with 30 years of leadership and management experience in the defense and transportation industries. He has been a Regional Construction Manager for over 16 years for Siemens, successfully delivering major infrastructure projects around the globe as a key member of the delivery team. He has been in the US for over 4 years working firstly in New York on Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Projects and now here on the West Coast on High-Speed Rail projects. His responsibilities are to execute the safe installation, testing, and commissioning of Siemens Systems in the field and he typically looks after around 100 plus engineers on site.
Varut (Pat) Aphaisuwan
Regional Director of Procurement
Varut, who goes by Pat, is the Regional Director of Procurement for PENN Entertainment for Nevada and New Mexico. He was born in Thailand, but grew up in Las Vegas and considers it his hometown. He went to college at the University of Nevada Reno where he earned his bachelorâs degree and went on to study at San Francisco State University earning his MBA in 2006. Pat has an extensive background in procurement and supply chain logistics that spans 17 years, including in the shipping industry in Asia and here in Las Vegas with MGM Resorts and now PENN Entertainment. Pat believes in the value of collaboration and forming lasting partnerships. He is inspired to do this every day by his wife and two kids. In his free time, Pat practices mixed martial arts.
Layne Larsen
Corporate Purchasing Supervisor
Layne Larsen has 15 years of experience in supply chain. He is the Corporate Purchasing Supervisor at Southwest Gas Corporation, where he leads a team supporting the procurement of materials in five major operating divisions across three States (Nevada, Arizona, California). Layne earned his bachelorâs degree in psychology from Southern Utah University and his masterâs degree in management from Dallas Baptist University. He is a Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) and a Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD) through the Institute of Supply Management.
Victor Figueredo
Buyer IV
Victor Figueredo is a Buyer IV in the Clark County School District (CCSD) Purchasing Department where he has worked for two years. Victor oversees acquisition of products, equipment, and services for the Transportation, Warehousing, Food Services and general school transportation & auto shop programs. Prior to working at CCSD, Victor worked at NV Energy for over 26 years in Supply Chain Management, Transportation Services, and Operation Services. Victor grew up in the Las Vegas community and he received his undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He also received his MBA at the University of Detroit. His key skills include purchasing/contract management, fleet management, and warehousing/logistics operations.
Rhoda Hassad
Supplier Diversity Manager
Rhoda Hassad is the Supplier Diversity Manager for MGM Resorts International. In her role she is focused on building an inclusive environment to increase the participation of diverse suppliers in contracting & procurement and to develop a competitive supplier base that represents the communities served.
Rhoda brings over 20 years of experience in Hospitality to her position. Most recently, she was a Hotel Operations Manager at New York-New York, an MGM Resorts property in Las Vegas. Her experience also includes various positions in Hotel Operations at Mandalay Bay and Delano Las Vegas, both MGM Resort International properties. Currently, Rhoda serves as Chair of the Professional Womenâs Employee Network Group for MGM Resortâs International. She is a member of the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association and the Women in Lodging in Nevada Association.
Thomas Warthen
Supplier Inclusion Partner
Thomas Warthen is the Supplier Inclusion Partner at MGM Resorts Internationalâs Global Procurement Division. Thomas is also the chair of Planet Protectorâs Business Recourse Group which collaborates with the companyâs Sustainability team and goals. He joined MGM in 2021 and has been involved in their logistics and philanthropic efforts over the years. Prior to MGM, Thomas has a background in real estate, marketing and fundraising for charitable events and an education in Business Management.
Robert Marquez
Director of Global Procurement Technology
Robert âBobâ Marquez is Executive Director of Global Procurement Technology at Las Vegas Sands Corp (LVSC). He is responsible for technology sourcing, contracting and buying for LVSCâs global portfolio including its properties in Macau, Singapore and US corporate operations. Bob has over 20 years of progressive experience in technology procurement and is also a licensed attorney.
Stacey Hill
Senior Manager, Governance and Business Administration
With close to two decades of dedicated service to Siemens Mobility, I have had the privilege of contributing to our organization's growth and success in various capacities. Currently serving as the Senior Manager of Governance and Business Administration at our North American Rolling Stock headquarters in Sacramento, CA, I am deeply committed to ensuring operational excellence, fostering strategic partnerships, and promoting a culture of collaboration and innovation. I thrive on building bridges between our internal teams and fostering partnerships with external stakeholders. This includes facilitating connections in employment and business opportunities, as well as cultivating relationships with small and diverse businesses that offer valuable products and services to enhance our operations.
Rich Whitehead
Senior Manager, Governance and Business Administration
Rich Whitehead is a Construction Professional with 30 years of leadership and management experience in the defense and transportation industries. He has been a Regional Construction Manager for over 16 years for Siemens, successfully delivering major infrastructure projects around the globe as a key member of the delivery team. He has been in the US for over 4 years working firstly in New York on Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Projects and now here on the West Coast on High-Speed Rail projects. His responsibilities are to execute the safe installation, testing, and commissioning of Siemens Systems in the field and he typically looks after around 100 plus engineers on site.
John Tatum
Regional Director of Procurement
John Tatum has served 20+ years in the hospitality industry. He joined Caesars Entertainment in July of 2022 as Regional Director of Procurement where he oversees Las Vegas and Laughlin properties. Prior to joining Caesars, John worked in regional procurement management roles with Boyd Gaming, Penn Gaming, and MGM Resorts. He resides in Las Vegas with his wife and three children.
Niki Johns Gomoluh
Business Specialist
Niki Gomoluh has over 25 years of both public and private Purchasing and Contracts experience. A Michigan native, but longtime resident of Las Vegas, she earned her bachelorâs degree in Public Administration at UNLV and has been called upon to have worked in various roles and on projects at the City of Las Vegas over the last eighteen years. During this time, she has been an enthusiastic advocate for diverse businesses through outreach and by acting as liaison between City departments and the small business community. Niki feels very fortunate to work with a group that shares her passion for providing opportunity to local diverse businesses.
Tressa Fernandez
Quality Assurance Administrator Finance â Purchasing & Contracts
Tressa Fernandez has worked in Purchasing & Contracts with the City of Las Vegas for 14 years where she is an innovator and passionate supporter of supplier diversity. She holds a bachelorâs degree in Business Management and received a Diversity & Inclusion certification from Cornell University in 2021. Tressa works with an amazing group of people where they challenge the status quo to find innovative solutions to promote supplier diversity in support of the Cityâs goal to âbuild community to make life better.â
Varut (Pat) Aphaisuwan
Regional Director of Procurement
Varut, who goes by Pat, is the Regional Director of Procurement for PENN Entertainment for Nevada and New Mexico. He was born in Thailand, but grew up in Las Vegas and considers it his hometown. He went to college at the University of Nevada Reno where he earned his bachelorâs degree and went on to study at San Francisco State University earning his MBA in 2006. Pat has an extensive background in procurement and supply chain logistics that spans 17 years, including in the shipping industry in Asia and here in Las Vegas with MGM Resorts and now PENN Entertainment. Pat believes in the value of collaboration and forming lasting partnerships. He is inspired to do this every day by his wife and two kids. In his free time, Pat practices mixed martial arts.
Amy Clark
Senior Manager
Amy Clark has over 20 years of experience in supply chain in the electric utility and gaming industries. After retiring from the Tennessee Valley Authority, Amy joined NV Energy as a supply chain and procurement manager. Amy is currently a senior manager at Aristocrat focused on supplier diversity, environmental social governance, and compliance. In addition to her supply chain experience, Amy was an adjunct professor at Georgia Northwestern Technical for five years. At GNTC, she taught business law, economics, HR management, leadership and management principles, labor relations, managerial accounting, and employment law. Amy holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Masters in Business Administration. She is a Certified Professional in Supply Management as designated by the Institute for Supply Management, Inc. Amy continues to further her education and will graduate this year with her Doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on Global Supply Chain Management.
Chuck Miller
Sr. Vice President of Hardware Engineering
Chuck Miller is the Sr. Vice President of Hardware Engineering at Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. (ATI), boasting over four years with the company and three decades of experience in the gaming industry. Graduating from college in 1985, Chuck has been a driving force behind technological advancements in gaming, holding multiple patents in the field. Hailing from Southern California, he relocated to Las Vegas in 1996, further immersing himself in the heart of the gaming world. Chuck's leadership at ATI has been instrumental in shaping cutting-edge hardware innovations, solidifying his reputation as a visionary in the industry.
Grace Olson
Director of Procurement Operations
Grace Olson is the Director of Procurement Operations for Boyd Gamingâs Las Vegas region. Her purchasing responsibilities include food and beverage, operating supplies, IT, and facilities supplies. She manages a skilled team supporting 10 Boyd Gaming properties. With a bachelorâs degree in business administration from John Brown University and over 20 years of procurement experience, Grace has employed her skills from New York to Las Vegas and supported many successful corporations. Grace resides in Henderson, NV and enjoys DIY restoration projects in her free time.
Robin Pierce
Director of Enterprise Project Management Office
Robin Pierce is the Director of Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO) for the Southwest Gas (SWG) Corporation. Pierce oversees company-wide, business-driven technology implementations and their associated portfolio governance processes, standards, and practices. The EPMOâs mission is to facilitate collaboration between company functional and technical project stakeholders, bring transparency to project and portfolio reporting, and enhance portfolio governance processes. Pierceâs responsibilities span across all company territories in Nevada, Arizona, and California to service over 2 million natural gas customers. She began her career at SWG in 2006 while completing her Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). She has served in various positions of increasing responsibility. One of her career highlights is Program Manager for the launch of the Companyâs largest transformational project in history, Project Horizon (the replacement of a 30-year-old legacy customer information system). She is a strong believer in the power of teams.
Layne Larsen
Corporate Purchasing Supervisor
Layne Larsen has 15 years of experience in supply chain. He is the Corporate Purchasing Supervisor at Southwest Gas Corporation, where he leads a team supporting the procurement of materials in five major operating divisions across three States (Nevada, Arizona, California). Layne earned his bachelorâs degree in psychology from Southern Utah University and his masterâs degree in management from Dallas Baptist University. He is a Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) and a Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD) through the Institute of Supply Management.
Keith Bacon
Director of Supply Chain
Keith Bacon is the Director of Supply Chain at Southwest Gas Corporation with over 25 years of experience in the utility and energy industries. He oversees companywide procurement, inventory, and fleet functions across five operating divisions in Nevada, Arizona, and California. Before joining Southwest Gas in 2017, Keith worked at NV Energy, Arizona Public Service Company, and Shell Services International. In addition to various supply chain roles, he worked several years in utility corporate planning and has also led real estate and facilities, emergency management, physical security, records management, and support services. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Purchasing and Logistics Management from Arizona State University.
Kennedie Voyles
Purchasing Manager
Kennedie Voyles has years of experience providing support for large Las Vegas venues. In 2017, she supported T-Mobile Arena as an HR Assistant before transitioning to provide accounts payable support to the purchasing department. In 2019, Kennedie participated in the Keys to the Future program, graduating shortly before the pandemic. After the pandemic, she brought her skills to Allegiant Stadium, managing accounts payable for all their Las Vegas properties, and later accepting a promotion to Purchasing Manager.
Benjamin Sison
Senior Concessions Manager
Benjamin Sison was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, but at a young age moved to Las Vegas, where he was raised. He specialized in hospitality management as early as high school and continued his education at UNLV. While in college, he worked at South Point Hotel, Casino, and Spa as host, bus person, and server before moving on to other roles within the company. He continued his success at Allegiant, where he was quickly promoted and now manages concessions logistics for Allegiant Stadium.
Quanittia Gibson
Supplier Diversity Manager
Quanittia Gibson is a seasoned Supplier Diversity Procurement professional known for her strategic vision and tactical insight. As the Manager of Supplier Diversity at ASM Global, Quanittia is vital in supporting the companyâs Supply Chain Diversity Initiative, driving innovative strategies for supplier inclusion and business development at ASM Global. She developed and led the global Business Incubator Program and the Diversity Legacy Program, which are crucial in promoting supplier development and inclusion across ASM's extensive network of over 400 venues. With her leadership, ASM Global has set an ambitious target of achieving a 30% diverse spend by 2030, showcasing a deep commitment to supporting local and diverse suppliers.
Roger Cheng
Sr. Supplier Diversity Sourcing Manager
Roger Cheng recently joined AT&T as a Sr. Supplier Diversity Sourcing Manager. Prior to AT&T, Roger spent the previous 14+ years with M/WBEs in the technology space leading business development through Supplier Diversity. Roger, also known as âThe Voice,â has served as emcee or VOG for several organizations across the country. In 2017, Roger was recognized as the #Hes4Shes Champion at the WBENC National Conference.
Victor Figueredo
Buyer IV
Victor Figueredo is a Buyer IV in the Clark County School District (CCSD) Purchasing Department where he has worked for two years. Victor oversees acquisition of products, equipment, and services for the Transportation, Warehousing, Food Services and general school transportation & auto shop programs. Prior to working at CCSD, Victor worked at NV Energy for over 26 years in Supply Chain Management, Transportation Services, and Operation Services. Victor grew up in the Las Vegas community and he received his undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He also received his MBA at the University of Detroit. His key skills include purchasing/contract management, fleet management, and warehousing/logistics operations.
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