nv_gov_GUINN
KENNY GUINN
Age: 62 Born: August 24, 1936; Garland, Arkansas Education: Utah State University, Doctorate (1970); Fresno State University, M.S (1963); B.S. (1959) Military: None Family: Married - Dema; Two children, four grandchildren Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada Religion: Protestant Career: Chairman, Southwest Gas Corp. (1993-97); Interim President, Univ. of Nevada-Las Vegas (1994-95); President, Southwest Gas Corp. (1988-93); PriMerit Bank, Chair (1987), VP (1978-87); Clark County School Superintendent (1969-78); Planning specialist, Clark County School District (1964-69) |
• Born in Garland, Arkansas, Guinn grew up in Exeter, California. He earned his undergraduate and masters degrees in physical education from Fresno State University and later received a doctorate in education from Utah State. In 1964, Guinn moved to Las Vegas in 1964 to work for the Clark County School system, and he became Superintendent of Schools in Clark County in 1969. He has a junior high school named after him.
• Guinn moved to the private sector in 1978, when he took an executive position at Nevada Savings and Loan (which later became PriMerit Bank). He was named Chairman of the Board at PriMerit in 1987. Soon afterward, he was recruited to head up Southwest Gas Corporation, and in 1993, he became Chairman.
• In 1994, Guinn was named Interim President at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. One of his major tasks was to rehabilitate the school's basketball program which had been seriously discredited by a series of allegations including point-fixing and questionable recruiting practices. He kept $1 of his compensation and donated the rest to UNLV.
• This is Guinn's first bid for elected office. He actively began campaigning in 1996, and he became the early favorite for the nomination after he was backed by powerful casino interests. However, he hato beat back a surge of support for his primary opponent, Hollywood producer Aaron Russo, the onetime manager and companion of Bette Midler. Russo produced such hit movies as Trading Places and The Rose and had actor Jack Nicholson star in campaign ads. Guinn regained ground after running an ad with 1996 footage of a long-haired Russo ranting about government and the tag line 'Dangerous for Nevada.' Guinn won the primary by a 2-to-1 margin.