w w w. j e r a m i e l u . c o m (775) 336-8843
n April 2012, the Plum crew began a journey to re-brand the Reno/Tahoe region. Paired with our drive to invest in people versus paper we choose to leverage the power of digital publications as a tool to quickly spread the word about the courage and character of the Truckee Meadows.
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We have been humbled by supporters throughout the US and Canada whose support has helped, Plum Influence Magazine, reach over 14,500 unique on-line views since our inaugural issue was released on June 6th. So, thank you to everyone who has helped us spread the word! Let's face it… it’s going to be hard work and it’s going to take strong community determination to turn the negative conversation about Reno around. From my experience in branding and franchising I have learned the best way to start re-branding and changing ingrained perceptions is by recognizing and giving a powerful voice to the people who are already making a difference. The Plum 100 does just that by showcasing our local heroes, scientists, non-profits, artists, teachers, foodies and leaders who seize opportunities that drive our economic engine. Individually, we should all thrive to be a positive thriving asset to the region yet it is our collection of challenges, hopes and stories that make the culture of our community limitless. We must cooperate in order to move forward and truly showcase what we are made of. It’s an eve of a new era Reno, let’s get moving!
Founder and CEO of Plum11 Inc
*Important for Plum100 honorees - We would love to feature every individuals professional photo and detailed biography. If you are missing any of these we understand schedules were tight for this release but we will be uploading updates to the magazine two more times this month.
Please schedule your photo shoot and send in your up to 400 word biography to Ashley Graham at ashley@plum11.com; Thank you and welcome to the Plum100!
About Us
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We celebrate the courage and character of the Reno/Tahoe community. The spirit of our entrepreneurs who innovate, grow and go after the thrill of ‘because I can.’ We focus on our local stories, heroes, scientists, non-profits, artists, teachers and leaders who seize opportunities that drive our economic engine.
Get your name noticed, grow your business and stand for the difference you want to make. Contact us today to bring your vision to life. Advertise in Plum Influence Magazine.
The Plum Influence Magazine is here to show the world what we are made of and the simple pleasures all around us. Our recreational treasures, world renowned events and secret hot spots we all escape to.
We’re always interested in highlighting projects, culture, or individuals with unique virtues in Reno/ Sparks/Tahoe. If you have a success story worth telling, we are all ears! Please contact us today to serve up your delectable scoop in our next issue.
We are fueled by turning Reno’s bad reputation portrayed on film and TV into a truer reflection of our community. Our mission is to spread the word about the positives of our community allowing people to feel confident in investing in us, traveling here and being a part of what the area has to offer. Plum Influence readers and advertisers live beyond a mediocre mindset in business and in life; they believe in this town and we support them.
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Story Time
Legal Stuff The views and opinions expressed within Plum Influence Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the interviewed or mentioned parties. Plum Influence Magazine is not affiliated, managed or reviewed by any local or outside government and/or tourism agency. The staff at Plum Influence Magazine does our best to reference any content or images used. Facts and statistics mentioned have been double checked with the company representatives in order to sustain our policy to provide a credible resource.
Published by:
Plum Influence Magazine / Reno, NV 89501 www.pluminfluence.com influence@plum11.com (775) 622-0439
Editor & Chief:
Ashley Graham |
Designer:
Jason Simmons | jason@plum11.com
ashley@plum11.com
PIM Official Photographer: Jeramie Lu of Jeramie Lu Studios | www.jeramielu.com Plum100 Hair and Makeup Artist, Guest Copy Editor: Rebecca Schembri of Salon 7 www.rebeccaschembri.com Plum100 Makeup Artist: Tina Mokuau, Independent Artist - www.tinamakeupartist.com Guest Copy Editor: Melodie Swan-Fisher, Aleta Simmons
to the top 100 congratulations
100 things to do and that’s only on Monday. Reno is jam-packed full of things to do every day of the week. Reno.com is your top resource for all things going on; whether you’re looking to indulge in some sushi or hit the bike trail, reno.com can get you there.
Go to reno.com/calendar for complete and up-to-date lists of things to do in Reno Sign up for our weekly events newsletter at reno.com/newsletter
where to go, what to do
Camie Craigg
Lively, Purposeful Networking Breaks Through Stale “Here’s my card” Normalities
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o attend a training or networking event led by Jeffrey Benjamin is to experience exhilaration and inspiration. Engaging groups through a dynamic and interactive approach that encourages full participation, motivational and international speaker.
Jeffrey Benjamin works the room once a month to create a must-attend networking event for business leaders. Breakthrough Network™, Benjamin’s networking group, attracts professionals from an array of industries—company reps and business leaders ready to make things happen while enjoying a sponsored drink and treat in hand. Benjamin founded Breakthrough Network™ in 1993 and has delivered over 2,500 presentations, coauthored eight personal development books and been featured on more than 400 television and radio shows. This extraordinary local influences cities, states and countries way beyond the Truckee Meadows’ borders. Jeffrey Benjamin’s renowned Breakthrough Mixers are held one Tuesday a month, and he also appears on a radio show that airs on 99.1 FM Fox News Radio Sundays at 9:30 am.
Toni Quiruz
Camilla Downs
Krisstin Thorburn
RENO Shapes it Up With Government Support
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ndy Bass believes in getting Reno into shape and celebrating the importance of health. As Recreation Manager for The City of Reno Parks, Recreation and Community Services, he is the creator and promoter of the, Shape Up Reno Program. The program offers fitness classes to the public, free of charge with key partners 24 Hour Fitness and The Studio. Bass has earned the support of the Northern Nevada community by founding this unique public-private partnership. “I’ve been working out all year yet once I started the boot camp in June it really kick started everything. It provides valuable classes to the community for free that normally you would have to spend high dollar monthly fees for. I really appreciate, Channell with 24 hour fitness for donating her time to the Shape Up Reno cause.” Aleta Simmons, regular Boot Camp attendee has lost 27 pounds since January of 2012. Classes, which boast 421 participants since the program began in June of this year, are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at City Plaza and Saturdays at Wingfield Park, (yoga).
Dedicated to Community Enrichment
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eginning his Reno Police Department career in 2004, Carlos Valles, has given back big to our community and the local police force.
Valles is a member of the, RPD Enrichment Committee and assists in the, RPD Christmas Bike Giveaway and annual toy drive. He doesn’t stop there by giving his time as a Patrol Training Officer (PTO) Coordinator. Busy helping others Valles is a S.A.F.E. Advisor, RPD Academy Instructor and he works with the RPD Junior Explorers Program, College Internship Program and RPD Cadet Program. Valles, has proven himself a true hero within our community by dedicating his time to such imperative programs.
Final Voice and
Closure
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aised in a military household the young KC Myers traveled the world with his US Army father, his brother and mother.
Myers was plucked by a Reno Police Department recruiter while attending UNLV and by 2002 he graduated from TMCC’s Law Enforcement Academy. He has worked as a patrol officer, a K9 handler and a detective. Presently, Myers is a robbery homicide detective providing a final voice and closure for those who sadly can no longer speak for themselves. Myers is a loving father with two young children and doting husband to Nevada native Diane EdmondsMyers.
Ribbon-Lined Jacket of Honor
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ohn Brownell loves Nevada and currently serves in the Nevada National Guard as the international affairs officer providing valuable insight on international relations to the state adjutant general. He works directly with the National Guard Bureau developing policy for the Battle Born Guard’s international engagement, and is responsible for implementing international programs and sustaining National Guard readiness through global engagement. In 2011, Brownell received the Reno Gazette Journal’s Twenty under 40 Award, a prestigious award that recognizes the year’s twenty most successful people under age 40 in northern Nevada. He is also the recipient of numerous military honors including the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Commander’s Excellence Award. Involved in a diverse range of community organizations and associations, Brownell dedicated his time to: the Nevada Area Council Boy Scouts of America, the Nevada Area Council Learning for Life/Exploring, and the National Guard Association of the United States. Additionally, he supports the Nevada Military Support Alliance, Sierra Air National Guard Association, Reno-Tahoe Young Professional Network, Military Officers Association of America, and disabled veterans programs. Brownell has also been recognized for his work with kids who desire to work in law enforcement. He developed the High-Intensity Explorer Academy Training program, a threeday training academy for Explorers 14-20 years of age. He is also recognized for his fundraising work through the Nevada Military Support Alliance Golf Classics and the Nevada National Guard Association.
Mathew Biggins
Reno Renegade,
Entrepreneur of theYear and 27,000 Square Foot Innovator
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ichael Bosma pairs small businesses and entrepreneurs with world class tax experts. He is the brain behind the 27,000 square foot collaborative office space called, The Bosma Business Center, which recently held its grand opening on July 26, 2012. He shared his vision of a professional grade collaborative business center filled with resources including conference rooms, a classroom and two limos. Bosma is the founding member of the reconstituted Reno Tahoe Open Renegades. The Renegades have raised over $250,000 to showcase Reno-Tahoe as a great place to live, work, and grow a business during the airing of the RTO on the Golf channel. Out of the forty-seven PGA event the Reno-Tahoe Open is the only one sponsored by its community versus a big name brand sponsor. In 1993, he was a proud graduate of the University of Nevada Las Vegas where he graduated with a Master of Science in Accountancy with an emphasis in taxation. Oddly after being welcomed by the Wolf Pack community while decked out in Rebels Red, Lori Bosma was taken by the spirit of Reno. The Bosma couple moved out to Reno to build their blessed life that same year. Bosma currently serves on the Reno Philharmonic Board, Reno Tahoe Foundation, WIN boards, and occasionally is a Pundit for Nevada Newsmakers. Bosma has been instrumental in Northern Nevada’s emergence as a leader in attracting venturebacked companies as evidenced by his leadership position in TechAlliance, (now Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology) and pioneering the BLAST! Business Plan Competition, and in 2002 was recognized as Nevada’s top technology person by the Technology Business Alliance of Nevada. Mike was honored to be recognized as the RGJ’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010. He is a season ticket holder for the Aces where he recently celebrated his 27 year anniversary with Lisa Bosma.
Lauren Yurick
Leading and Inspiring Sales Teams to
“Wild Success”
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lice Heiman firmly believes that all businesses can have the sales they need to be wildly successful.
Informative, compelling, experienced and smart, the sales coach and trainer motivates sales forces and makes a profound difference in the way they approach networking and sales generation. A nationally recognized expert, Heiman has a proven record of leading and inspiring sales team, both giant corporations and start-ups alike. Showing sales professionals how to sell comfortably and successfully, Heiman has consulted with and trained sales organizations at companies like Schneider Logistics, Coca Cola, Hewlett Packard, Price Water House Coopers and Mercedes Benz, as well as myriad small companies. Through her training, clients have seen a 40- to 75-percent increase in sales. After developing her expertise while at Miller Heiman, Inc., Heiman struck out on her own, establishing Alice Heiman, LLC in 1997. She spends most of her time mentoring small businesses and providing online sales training to business owners through her Sales Success Groups. A consummate networker, Heiman is the author of the eBook Connecting Your Way to New Business and the developer of The BizTalk Blender®, a business networking event that structures results for B2B interactions. She’s appeared on radio and television as well as print publications, including Entrepreneur’s Startups and Selling Power magazines. Her work has earned her numerous awards, including Saleswoman of the Year, Marketer of the Year and the US Chamber of Commerce Small Business Blue Ribbon Award. For the past 20 years, she has spoken at numerous conferences and professional organizations and run sales training for sales professionals throughout the country. For the effect her techniques and expertise have on business and our economy, Reno is fortunate to call Alice Heiman one of its own.
Joesph Dutra
‘O’
Proves
You
Can
Breakthrough Any Barrier in Life
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f there is one thing that Jennifer Oxier, (known publicly as Jenny O), believes; it is that success is what you make of it. She grew up playing with makeup and hair, sometimes on her dad as he napped. Oxier began her career as simply as most of us do-wanting to make a living doing what she loved. It wasn't until she was ostracized for being gay and refused to accept defeat and discrimination that she began a heartfelt journey that made Reno salon culture history. Oxier decided conquering her world was her only option. Possessing fierce business and marketing skills, she formed an unbreakable network throughout the city. Determined to makes friends with everyone because she believes 'in good kharma', her community support is astounding and transcends all professions. Oxier's dream child, A Salon 7, is voted Best Salon in Reno for almost a decade and is the niche in Reno for Hollywood and cutting-edge looks and for celebrity hair and makeup. Working from the heart, Oxier's salon is branded as upscale but not uptight. It is a mecca for the best talent in Reno and houses almost 40 beauty professionals who are required to train with educators stemming from the New York beauty industry and high-fashion and global influences. Jenny O's courage and tenacity is an inspiration to her entire salon family and to the Reno community. Aside from working behind the chair, Oxier provides education in business and marketing and is an inspirational speaker. Earlier this year, Jenny O was called for hair and makeup for United States Vice President Joe Biden when he came to Reno. An 'epitome' to her career and another dream come true, she applied bronzer, hair spray and chap-stick. Then, with a proverbial football smack and in her usual maternal spirit, she continued to educate and inspire even our most powerful of leaders. Oxier looked at Biden lovingly and told him to be sure to say Nevada in his speech, not Nevahda!
Nancy Horn
Mark Estee
Amanda Burden
Haley Wood
Pete Parker
Mike Kazmierski
Heart DrivenBrand Meets Office Supply Innovation
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n 2011, Jenifer Rose, launched a new way of ordering day to day office supplies when she founded, It’s My Community Store. Her one-of-a-kind business model donates ten percent of each sale to the local charity of the purchaser’s choice. Supplies include school, office, printer and technology needs all shipped in a jiffy to your door. With over 30 non-profit partners in three states, she expects the business to be her biggest venture yet. In 2003, Rose’s “Future Computer Technologies,” made the Inc. 500 list (a listing of the fastest growing privately held US companies). After successfully selling her business, Rose purchased, It’s Just Lunch and went from trading in computer supplies to dealing in love lives. Rose is the talented host of, The Plush Life TV Show; a fun, informative show featuring local businesses, events and charities by focusing on ways to live a happy, healthy life while supporting the community. With It’s My Community Store, off to a wonderful start and a highly rated TV show on the air for four years, Rose still finds time to get involved in numerous charity events, networking groups and projects that support local businesses and improve the local economy. Jenifer Rose is cherished by the community because of her endless dedication to helping others succeed, buy local efforts and being a local advocate for dozens of charities.
Dave Archer
House of Music
Leads to Nationally Known Talent
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n 2005 at the young age of 16 Whitney Myer’s first album titled, Last Days, kicked off her career to PopSoulFunk music fame. Dream Killer, her 2010 album was a hit winning multiple Reno News and Review Best of awards for Best Album of the Year, Best Band and Best Musician. NBC’s hit The Voice scouts were captivated by Myer’s talent in early 2012. “The band didn’t have a show that weekend so I decided to drive to San Francisco and audition” Myer recalls. Out of 500,000 contestants she was chosen to join other dreamers ready to make it happen; live. It only took Adam Levine 17 seconds to turn his chair and shortly after him the other three judges turned to witness her magnetic voice, “You remind me of Mary J.,” Levine stated while begging Myer to join his team. “Genuine, creative and original,” Christina Aguilera. Levine won Myer’s heart and she was off to the battle round with powerhouse, Kim Yarbrough.
Our community lined the walls of Great Basin Brewery in Sparks Nv., tuned in to NBC and sent hundreds of supportive messages over social networks. At the end one viewer wrote, “It was like Whitney Houston vs Rihanna” and although Myer came home she inspired us all to take action and go after our dreams. Raised in a house filled with music Whitney Myer’s mother and father were both working and accomplished musicians. Myer’s fondly remembers learning to sing harmonies and write songs from her multi-talented mother. Her dad, the guitar player for, “The Mudsharks” brought Myer’s along for shows, dancing in mosh pits and with wideeyed enthusiasm Myer’s knew her dad was the biggest rock star on the planet…not much has changed in this regard. Currently finishing up her third album with the Whitney Myer’s Band, scheduled for a 2012 fall release, she has begun recording solo material. Myer performs throughout our region and along the west coast. House of Music Leads to Nationally Known Talent “I'm so proud to help shine a positive light on Reno. I'm thankful for all that it has made me, and all that we can help bring back to our desert haven.” –Whitney Myer
High-Profile Reporting Meets Hometown Heart
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hether infusing the local news with a positive twist, “joining” the circus, inspiring community involvement, emceeing an event or even interviewing the President, Kristen Remington is a force we recognize.
If you’ve tuned in to Channel 2 for the evening news, you probably feel like you know the dark-eyed beauty. Creating weekly segments like Someone 2 Know, which highlights people making a difference in our community, and Money Watch Q & A, Remington’s work shows that she cares about her hometown. A five-time Emmy-nominated anchor/reporter, Kristen Remington was named a Woman of Achievement by the Nevada Women's Fund, and she received the "20 Under 40" award through the Young Professionals Network. In June of this year, Remington was one of eight reporters nationwide chosen to attend “Live at the White House” day. Reno’s hometown girl had the honor of interviewing President Obama and asked him questions of interest to Northern Nevadans. In 2008, the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society named Remington Celebrity of the Year. Unfortunately, her husband was diagnosed with Leukemia last year. Driven to raise awareness about the disease and highlight the importance of donating blood, she shared their story onair and on Facebook. Another one of Remington’s most memorable feature was a story on a little boy with anemia. Because of “Garrett,” she learned she has a special blood type compatible with ill children and cancer patients. The experience led her to become a baby blood donor and the face of Channel 2’s annual Give 2 Live blood drive. Remington also supports a host of non-profits, including United Blood Services, Alert ID and Think Kindness. She has served on the Truckee Meadows Law Enforcement Chaplaincy board, as well as Washoe County Local Emergency Planning Committee. For caring that goes beyond just reporting the news, for community involvement and for personal transparency, it’s easy to see why Kristen Remington is an iconic asset to our region.
Tony Savage
Transforming Lackluster Spaces into Whimsical Destinations
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tep into Renown’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Emergency Department or Children’s Healing Garden and you’ll feel like you’re in Disneyland vs a stagnant medical facility. With curves, instead of corners, and pops of color, instead of stark hues and sterile steel, Marie Wikoff has transformed not only the space but the experience for the children and families who use the medical center. The award-winning interior designer specializes in healthcare, commercial office space and religious facilities. Depending on the need, Wikoff’s designs make over the barren, bland or even bygone to the functional, whimsical or serene. Slated for demolition, local landmark St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral was spared the wrecking ball, its interior put into Marie’s hands for complete “resurrection.” With new finishes and technologies, the talented designer created an “enlightened” space. Wikoff’s work has been recognized far outside the local area, giving rise to projects like her latest: Hospital de Cancer de Barretos, a hospital redesign in São Paulo, Brazil. Marie Wikoff has devoted her career to bringing out the best in her clients by providing them with a space they can call home. Her projects develop their own identity based on locale, end-user needs, technology, economic resource requirements and sustainability. “Marie is an extremely conscientious designer...accommodating and creative in her approach to design, [striving] to introduce sustainable and environmentally friendly products into her work,” opines a testimonial about her projects. Wikoff and her team incorporate the client’s vision into a goal: to create a true working and healing environment. Besides her commercial projects, Marie’s community contributions include the sponsorship of student interior designers through the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), and donating time and resources to Ronald McDonald House Charities. Wikoff lives by Walt Disney’s assertion that “You can design and create and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality."
Home-Away From-Home
Executive Fosters
Open-Arms for Visiting Families
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n 2008 Marty Ozer went from Ronald McDonald House Charity, (R.M.H.C.), and board member to the Executive Director for Northern Nevada. After ten years on the board he was offered the chance to step in and steer the success of the charity. The local R.M.H.C. offers families a home away from home to families with children in the hospital. As Executive Director, Ozer oversees a staff of 10 and manages an annual operating budget of $850,000 for R.M.H.C.'s five core programs: The Reno Ronald McDonald House, The Ronald McDonald Family Room, The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, the R.M.H.C. U.S. Scholarship Program and the Travel-for-Treatment Program. The R.M.H.C. U.S. Scholarship program has given $750,000 dollars, making it the second largest higher education scholarship in Northern Nevada. “Marty is so passionate about the Ronald McDonald House. To come from the television industry where most
people when they’re done count their money and head to Florida or California, most of those people definitely wouldn’t stay in their community and give back to that community like Marty has.” - Maury Povich & Connie Chung during an interview with Jenifer Rose, on the Plush Life, filmed August 2012. In the last 4 years, Ozer has and built strong collaborative partnerships and secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in foundation gifts, individual gifts and corporate sponsorships. Marty was the Vice President and General Manager of KRXI FOX and KAME My Network TV in Reno, NV for 10 years. Prior to that, he was the President of KATZ Media Corporation in New York City. Marty and his wife, Ruby, enjoy traveling, the outdoors and spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Amber Lynn Dobson
Mike Wurm
Brad Brighton
Johnny Larkins
Colin Loretz
Dean Parker
Chris Riche
Dave Asher
Ryan Dolan
Hillary Schieve
Jim Ghiglieri
Our September Plum Influence Magazine is a special issue that has one main focus: to spotlight the 100 top influencers in our area who inspire us, challenge us, open our eyes to the power of charity, get us to think broader and bigger and those who change the game. The process of finding these 100 individuals was a multi-tiered format that goes beyond the “like us� tactic on Facebook and vote for your favorite. It was a community nomination and collective effort to find the perfect fit for each of the ten categories. The ten categories go beyond the business savvy or politician focused; it is dedicated to the following people:
Foodies Beautiful Minds Scientists & Thinkers Artists & Icons Super Heroes Community Leaders Charity Drivers EXTRAordinary Risk-takers & Visionaries Economic Leaders & Industry Experts
Eve of a New Era
9-28-2012
Save the Date Celebrate the courage and character of the
Reno/Tahoe region with our community’s 100 Most Influential People. Sponsored by:
For tickets go to www.plum100.eventbrite.com