Editors’ Note

Sig Rogich was born in Iceland and moved at the age of seven to Henderson, Nevada. Rogich has worked on behalf of his adopted homeland and community, becoming one of the leading political and corporate advisors in Nevada and the United States. Rogich served as Assistant to President George H.W. Bush for the creative development of public events from 1988 to 1992, and he was Director of President Ronald Reagan’s Tuesday Team, Official Guide to Mikhail Gorbachev on his nationwide tour of the United States, and U.S. Ambassador to Iceland. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the Clark County Public Education Foundation and as President of the Clark County Library Foundation. Rogich is also involved in the Community College of Southern Nevada Foundation, Opportunity Village, and the Las Vegas Water District Advisory Board. He earned a degree in journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Company Brief

Based in Las Vegas, The Rogich Communications Group is an international crisis management and public/government relations firm that offers counsel in the areas of strategic planning and business development, crisis communication, issues management, corporate and media relations, business and community relations, political advising, and special projects. The Rogich Communications Group maintains a diverse client list ranging from Fortune 500 companies to niche operations in the industries of gaming, entertainment, aerospace, transportation, engineering, health care, and technology.

For our readers who lack broad familiarity with the state of Nevada, what do you feel is important to know about the state?

While mining and tourism, particularly gaming and now retail, are Nevada’s main industries, the rapid growth in population over the past decade has opened the door to a number of companies and industries wishing to take advantage of the tax benefits of the state. This has lead to more economic diversification and job opportunities for the residents of Nevada, and has drawn attention to the fact that we are more than just an entertainment destination.

The Rogich Communications Group [RCG] offers clients advice in many areas. Can you describe a few areas that best summarize the services RCG provides?

RCG has evolved since I founded the company in 1994 from a more conventional public relations and government relations firm to a company that specializes in the areas of business development and crisis communications. We still offer our clients a full range of communication services, but given the current climate in the world today, our clients across the country and around the world have found that they are in greater need of help in strategic planning and guidance through some of their significant business decisions. We spend a great deal of time with our clients working on their messaging and positioning to take advantage of market opportunities.

Governor Jim Gibbons says you were instrumental to his election victory in 2006, conveying to LEADERS that he “wouldn’t have been elected Governor without Sig’s help.” How would you best describe the Governor’s leadership and the impact it is having now, and will have, on the state of Nevada in coming years?

There was a number of people who worked very hard on the Governor’s campaign throughout the state. His campaign was different from those I had worked on in Nevada in the recent past because, as is the case around the country, there seems to be more partisan politics in play.

The Governor has had to face some harsh critics since the start of his administration, but from the outset of his campaign, he committed to the residents of Nevada that he would not raise taxes, and he has stuck to his guns. He is asking the state legislators and local governments of Nevada to start thinking of creative ways to meet the needs of the state without placing an added burden on Nevada residents and businesses, and people are responding to that challenge.

In addition to your numerous achievements in business, and in assisting candidates for high public offices, you support a number of charitable causes. Which among these are especially important to you, and why?

Education has always been a top priority for me and, in some form or another throughout my adult life, I have been involved with organizations that are focused on improving education, particularly public education. I strongly believe that every child in this country deserves the best education, and that education has the greatest singular effect on the future of our country.

I have been the Chairman of the Clark County Public Education Foundation for about 10 years now, and I continue to be involved because of the tremendous benefits that I see as a direct result of our efforts. This organization has a positive impact on the level of education in my hometown, and I am proud to be a part of it.

I am also extremely involved with another charity here in Las Vegas that is close to my heart because of the thousands of people it provides services to, whose lives have been affected and changed for the better. Opportunity Village is one of Nevada’s most successful charitable organizations, and its mission is to help individuals with intellectual disabilities lead more independent and full lives through occupational, behavioral, and other therapies. People from around the world come to see the facility and marvel at how this incredible organization is able to self-fund 80 percent of its operating budget, which equates to a savings of about $15 million a year for Nevada taxpayers. Opportunity Village is truly one of the best investments business people can make in terms of a charitable contribution and a contribution to the community.

How would you best characterize the spirit of the people of Nevada?

The one thing I think that is important to point out is the overwhelming generosity of the people who live here.