Valerie Pelton, '92 MA Political Science, is an attorney and mediator who has represented U.S. and international technology, telecommunications, and aerospace companies in Europe, Asia, and the Persian Gulf. She now represents the U.S. Postal Service in matters before the Postal Regulatory Commission and provides business, technology, and corporate law advice. Previously, she represented the U.S. Department of Labor in mediations and arbitrations and served as a contracting officer’s representative. Prior to entering federal service, she founded the Pelton Law Firm and advised aviation non-profits and international technology companies on business, software licensing, and employment law matters. Before that, she worked for a number of law firms. Prior to practicing law, she served as a U.S. Air Force officer in the areas of signals intelligence and adversary electronic combat operations. She earned an LLM with highest honors in national security & U.S. foreign relations law from George Washington University (GWU) Law School in 2014 and a master's certificate in government contracting from the GWU Business School in 2012. She is studying Chinese at the GWU Confucius Institute and was awarded a summer travel scholarship in 2015 and 2016. She earned a law degree from Whittier College and a dual baccalaureate in modern European studies and French from Vanderbilt University.  She is active in Washington, D.C., area sailing, business, and legal groups and enjoys Argentine tango, salsa, waltz, cruising on the Chesapeake Bay, and sailing Flying Scots on the Potomac River. She lives in Arlington, Virginia.  

Dustin Bermingham, '95 BS Hotel Administration, has spent 20 years working in the cannabis industry, from building facilities and working as lead grower to working as general manager at a collective. His hobbies include building cars, gardening, and motorcycles. He lives in Morgan Hill, California.

Jamie Schwartz, '10 MBA,  launched Schwartz Strategy and Valuation, a business valuation firm, in 2015. A mother of two school-aged girls, she spends time at piano lessons and volleyball games. A volunteer at the Meadows School, she joined the Safe Nest Board of Directors this fall. Hobbies include ballroom dancing, photography, and hiking.  

Victoria Vaillancourt Young, '06 BA Psychology, is partner and managing member of Custom Cabinet Designs, a Las Vegas-based commercial millwork company that has completed projects across the United States and in Mexico. A military wife, she is one of the very few woman in Southern Nevada who own a commercial millwork company. Her hobbies include watching the Yankees, working out, and going on family adventures. She and her husband have been married since 2008 and have two children. The family lives in North Las Vegas.

Amelia "Molly" Goodwin, '07 MFA Theatre Arts, is touring Singapore, the Philippines, China, Japan, and South Korea as the production stage manager on the international tour of the musical play Sister Act. She lives in Davenport, Iowa.

Keith Reardon, '82 BS Education - Physical Education, has taught in public schools in Walla Walla, Washington, for 31 years.

Felice Garcia, '09 BA Music, recently performed for troops overseas in the United Arab Emirates. She spent the summer touring with numerous shows, including Green Day and Chainsmokers, performing in Montana, Alaska, Tennessee, and California. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, and writing comedy sketches. She lives in Venice, California, with her best friends.

Ashley Seda, '15 BS Business Administration - Marketing, is the social media strategist and brand manager for the  Las Vegas 51s baseball team. The 51s are a Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets. She is engaged to Nicholas Paxton, '15 MS Educational Psychology. The couple plans to wed in October 2018.

Jamie Bichelman, '13 BA Psychology, is moving to Carson City to become public information officer for the Nevada department of transportation (NDOT). He will manage the public relations and information program for NDOT on a statewide basis; provide video interviews; write media releases, newsletters, and informational brochures; produce audiovisual presentations; and take photographs for the same agency for which his father worked for 33 years. A native Floridian, he previously spent two years managing communications for UNLV's public safety department.

Celinda Pena, '11 BS Human Services Counseling, '13 Master of Social Work, and Johnny Dominguez, '13 BA Political Science, were married May 5 after 12 years together. They both work directly with students on high school school campuses. Celinda, who is a licensed social worker in Nevada, works as a case manager, trying to assure that students graduate on time despite any barriers they may face. Johnny works as a college counselor preparing students for the next chapter of their education. Previously a UNLV admissions counselor, Johnny also is pursuing a master's degree in higher education at UNLV. Both are active in their respective Greek organizations, Kappa Delta Chi sorority, and Nu Alpha Kappa fraternity. They describe themselves as proud Rebels who enjoy adventure, exploring new things, cultural community events, spending time with family, and looking for ways to give back to their community. The couple lives in North Las Vegas.  

David Kohlasch, '84 BS Hotel Administration, has been appointed general manager of the award-winning Chase Park Plaza, a Royal Sonesta Hotel located in St. Louis. A 10-year Sonesta employee, he most recently served as general manager of Sonesta Gwinnett Place Atlanta in Duluth, Georgia. Prior to that, he was general manager at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore. In his new role, he is responsible for the successful execution of all aspects of the hotel’s sales, marketing, financial, and hotel operations. Built in 1922, the Chase Park Plaza boasts the 2017 TripAdvisor certificate of excellence and features more than 338 guest rooms and suites. The property overlooks Forest Park, named in 2016 by USA Today as the most beautiful city park in the nation. A 35-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Kohlasch is an avid sports fan who is looking forward to following his new 'home town' teams, the St. Louis Cardinals and the St. Louis Blues.  

Nathaniel Taylor, '06 BA Political Science, founded the Taylor Consulting Group, a local government affairs and business consulting firm in 2009. His firm specializes in land use consulting, liquor licensing, gaming licensing, and government relations. He is one of only a handful of “enrolled agents” in the Nevada; this allows him to represent his clients before the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission. Since graduating, he has worked in the public and private sector, experiencing very diverse challenges. His career has included working for the city of Las Vegas as a management analyst, working for former state Sen. Mark James as his district manager, working for Clark County as a business license specialist, and completing a public service internship in Gov. Kenny Guinn’s office. He also has managed the #1 Zagat-rated Italian restaurant in New York City and has served as a trainer for Outback Steakhouse, Inc. His experience in the hospitality industry gives him a unique perspective when representing his firm’s many restaurant clients.