Las Vegas Business Academy Honors Outstanding Students and Business Leaders at Sixth Anniversary Dinner
The Las Vegas Business Academy (LVBA), a nonprofit dedicated to providing scholarships and mentorship opportunities to select students seeking master’s degrees in Business, Hospitality and/or Law at UNLV, celebrated its sixth anniversary on May 10 at Twist by Pierre Gagnaire inside Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas (Pictured: Josh “Chop” Towbin Honored with Mastership Award – Photo credit: Cashman Photo).
LVBA Student Honorees Michael Matzke, Caitlin Lorelli, Mackenzie Warren and Steven Brody
Photo credit: Cashman Photo.
Four of the city’s bright young minds, each of whom have committed to remaining in Las Vegas for at least five years following graduation, received “Jedi Master” Awards from LVBA Executive Director Amy Lee: Steven Brody, Caitlin Lorelli, Michael Matzke and Mackenzie Warren. Matzke, Warren and Lorelli will all receive their Juris Doctorates later this month, while Brody will graduate with a Master of Business Administration.
LVBA Founder and Chairman of the Board Rino Armeni
Photo credit: Cashman Photo.
“Las Vegas Business Academy has come a long way over the past six years, and it’s a proud day as we celebrate the achievements of our incredible students and board members who make all of this possible,” said Rino Armeni, LVBA founder and chairman of the board.
The “Jedi Awards”
Photo credit: Cashman Photo.
After students accepted their “Jedi Master” Awards, Armeni presented Josh “Chop” Towbin, co-owner of Towbin Automotive, with the Mastership Award, which is given to business leaders who are pillars of the local community and have committed to mentoring the next generation of Las Vegas-based entrepreneurs. Towbin accepted the award alongside his son, Rocco, and spoke about his professional journey and the importance of being brave and unafraid to take risks.
Armeni said: “Mr. Towbin created an empire, and his employees love him. That’s what leadership is all about.”
LVBA alumni and honorees
Photo credit: Cashman Photo.
Notable community leaders in attendance included Rino and Marie Claire Armeni of Armeni Enterprises; Max Tappeiner, vice president of hotel operations at The Venetian | The Palazzo; Steve Arcana, chief operating officer of Golden Entertainment, Inc.; Bob Morse, Caesar Entertainment’s president of hospitality; Donald Bowman, general manager of Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas; Adam Blumberg, president of JEM West; Simon Pettigrew, vice president of hotel operations at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas; David Hoenemeyer, regional president, Bally’s, Paris & Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino; and many more.
For more information about LVBA, visit www.lvbanv.org or follow LVBA on Facebook and Twitter.