FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2024
Contact: Evan Haddad
Public Information Officer
ehaddad@goed.nv.gov 775.684.9973
CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) is proud to announce several leadership-level promotions that mark an exciting new chapter in the agency’s future.
Dr. Dorian Stonebarger, GOED’s former director of strategy and public policy, has been appointed deputy director of the agency. Prior to GOED, Dr. Stonebarger served as the chief policy advisor to Las Vegas Mayor Pro Tempore Brian Knudsen, as well as program director at Three Square Food Bank. Dr. Stonebarger was born and raised in Southern Nevada and holds a doctorate in public policy, a master’s in urban leadership, and a Bachelor of Science in nutrition, all from UNLV. Dr. Stonebarger and her husband own two small businesses in the Las Vegas Arts District, ReBAR and Davy’s, and are opening a third downtown business called Arty’s Steakhouse in the Historic Commercial Center.
Alex Bacchus, former director of business development, has been promoted to northern regional director and will lead and manage economic and community development from GOED’s Carson City office. The northern regional director is responsible for promoting business and economic development across Nevada, managing operations, and coordinating economic leaders and private industry. Bacchus will oversee efforts to promote economic growth and job creation, help recruit new industries, and support existing businesses, providing strategic guidance and direction to business, government and non-profit interests.
Stephen Wood, who served as government affairs manager under Dr. Stonebarger, has assumed Dr. Stonebarger’s former position as director of strategy and public policy for GOED. In this role, he will oversee GOED’s policy initiatives as well as the office’s efforts during the legislative sessions. Before joining GOED, Wood served as the government affairs liaison and public information officer for Carson City and represented both Carson City and the Nevada League of Cities and Municipalities during the 82nd session of the Nevada Legislature. Wood is a fifth generation Nevadan and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in history and a master’s degree in public policy/public administration from Liberty University.
“Dorian, Alex and Stephen have consistently exceeded expectations in every aspect of their work and have demonstrated a combination of expertise, leadership and unwavering dedication to serving Nevada,” said Executive Director Tom Burns. “Their promotions are not just well-deserved but a testament to the value they bring to our team. I am very confident they will excel in their new positions as we continue to do great things for our state.”
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About the Governor’s Office of Economic Development
Created during the 2011 session of the Nevada Legislature, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development is the result of a collaborative effort between the Nevada Legislature and the Governor’s Office to restructure economic development in the state. GOED’s role is to promote a robust, diversified and prosperous economy in Nevada, to stimulate business expansion and retention, encourage entrepreneurial enterprise, attract new businesses and facilitate community development.