Lorraine and her family are pioneers of the Las Vegas business community. Her family moved to Henderson, Nevada in 1943 from Niagara Falls, NY. She graduated Las Vegas High School and attended Westlake College of Music in Los Angelos, California. She began her musical studies at the age of nine and embarked on a professional music career at age 18, performing as a vocalist on the Las Vegas Strip, and in Reno, and Lake Tahoe. She appeared on national television shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Red Skeleton Show, and CSI. In the late 60's, Lorraine's voice was heard on many famous radio and television commercials as the voice of the Tropicana Hotel's Les Folies Bergere, The Desert Inn, and the Landmark Hotel (which she opened in 1969 with her group The Lauri Perry IV). Ironically, in 1995, as Chair of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor's Authority, Lorraine imploded that same historic Howard Hughes property as part of the filming of the satirical motion picture Mars Attacks.
Lorraine and her family are pioneers of the Las Vegas business community. Her family moved to Henderson, Nevada in 1943 from Niagara Falls, NY. She graduated Las Vegas High School and attended Westlake College of Music in Los Angelos, California. She began her musical studies at the age of nine and embarked on a professional music career at age 18, performing as a vocalist on the Las Vegas Strip, and in Reno, and Lake Tahoe. She appeared on national television shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Red Skeleton Show, and CSI. In the late 60's, Lorraine's voice was heard on many famous radio and television commercials as the voice of the Tropicana Hotel's Les Folies Bergere, The Desert Inn, and the Landmark Hotel (which she opened in 1969 with her group The Lauri Perry IV). Ironically, in 1995, as Chair of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor's Authority, Lorraine imploded that same historic Howard Hughes property as part of the filming of the satirical motion picture Mars Attacks.
Lorraine and her family are pioneers of the Las Vegas business community. Her family moved to Henderson, Nevada in 1943 from Niagara Falls, NY. She graduated Las Vegas High School and attended Westlake College of Music in Los Angelos, California. She began her musical studies at the age of nine and embarked on a professional music career at age 18, performing as a vocalist on the Las Vegas Strip, and in Reno, and Lake Tahoe. She appeared on national television shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Red Skeleton Show, and CSI. In the late 60's, Lorraine's voice was heard on many famous radio and television commercials as the voice of the Tropicana Hotel's Les Folies Bergere, The Desert Inn, and the Landmark Hotel (which she opened in 1969 with her group The Lauri Perry IV). Ironically, in 1995, as Chair of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor's Authority, Lorraine imploded that same historic Howard Hughes property as part of the filming of the satirical motion picture Mars Attacks.
Lorraine and her family are pioneers of the Las Vegas business community. Her family moved to Henderson, Nevada in 1943 from Niagara Falls, NY. She graduated Las Vegas High School and attended Westlake College of Music in Los Angelos, California. She began her musical studies at the age of nine and embarked on a professional music career at age 18, performing as a vocalist on the Las Vegas Strip, and in Reno, and Lake Tahoe. She appeared on national television shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Red Skeleton Show, and CSI. In the late 60's, Lorraine's voice was heard on many famous radio and television commercials as the voice of the Tropicana Hotel's Les Folies Bergere, The Desert Inn, and the Landmark Hotel (which she opened in 1969 with her group The Lauri Perry IV). Ironically, in 1995, as Chair of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor's Authority, Lorraine imploded that same historic Howard Hughes property as part of the filming of the satirical motion picture Mars Attacks.
BUSINESS
BUSINESS
POLITICAL
POLITICAL
AN AMERICAN BUSINESSWOMAN, FORMER POLITICIAN AND ENTERTAINER. LORRAINE SERVED AS THE 32ND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF THE U.S. STATE OF NEVADA, FROM 1999 TO 2007.
Lorraine Hunt-Bono is CEO and President of Perri, Inc., a real estate, restaurant, and entertainment company established in 1972. She has been a Nevada business leader for more than 47 years. Lorraine served as a Clark County Commissioner and the first woman Chairperson of the Las Vegas Convention & Visitor's Authority as well as eight years as Nevada's 32nd Lieutenant Governor. During her tenure she led the State's Tourism and Economic Development Commissions. Among her many accomplishments Lorraine secured an exclusive license in 2004 to market Nevada in the People's Republic of China accelerating Las Vegas and Nevada opportunities in a global marketplace of 1.3 billion people. She has also brought Nevada's science, engineering, and technology leaders together to establish a strategic plan and blueprint for Nevada's economic development activities.
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BACKGROUND
• Born in Niagara Falls, NY
• Family moved to Nevada in 1943
• Graduate of Las Vegas High School
• Attended Westlake College of Music, Los Angeles
• Embarked on professional music career at age 18
• Made first real estate investment at age 19
• In 1972, became President and CEO of Perri, Inc., a real estate development and restaurant management company
• In 1994, was first elected to public office, Commissioner, Clark County Commission
• In 1995, elected first woman Chairperson of the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority Board (LVCVA)
• In 1998, elected Lieutenant Governor of Nevada
• In 2002 re-elected Lieutenant Governor
• In 2006 candidate for Governor of Nevada
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PAST PUBLIC SERVICE
• Lieutenant Governor, Nevada 1999-2007
• Member, Governor’s Cabinet
• President, Nevada State Senate
• Chair, Nevada Commission on Tourism
• Chair, Nevada Commission on Economic Development (which included oversight of the Nevada Film Office)
• Vice-Chair, Nevada Department of Transportation Board of Directors
• Member, Executive Branch Audit Committee
• Vice-Chair, National Lieutenant Governor's Association
• Clark County Commissioner 1994, Vice-Chair 1996 and 1997
• Vice-Chair, Nevada Motion Picture Commission
• First Woman Chair, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority Board of Trustees
• Trustee, McCarran International Airport Board of Trustees
• Vice-Chair, University Medical Center Board of Trustees
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PRIVATE SECTOR SERVICE
• Founder’s Group of Continental National Bank
• Past Director, First Security Bank of Nevada
• Past Director, Las Vegas Events
• Past Advisory Board member, Wells Fargo Bank
• Past Executive Committee member, Nevada Development Authority
• Past Chairman-elect, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce
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CURRENT PUBLIC SERVICE
• Board Member, Education Foundation, Nevada Restaurant Association
• Ex-Officio Board Member, Nevada Ballet Theater
• Honorary Member, Las Vegas Rotary Club
• Honorary Board Member, Las Vegas Jazz Society
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ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS
Excellence in Entertainment, 2010
Sidney Award, Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame, UNLV 2009
Silver Nitrate Award, Las Vegas Film Critics Society, 2005
Citizen of Note, Opus Society, 2004
Casino Legends Hall of Fame, Entertainment and Politics, 2001
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BUSINESS AWARDS
Named one of the 10 Most Powerful Women in Nevada, 2018
Silver State Lifetime Achievement Award, 2015
United Way of Southern Nevada, Women’s Leadership Council Financial Stability Award, 2010
Auturi Award — Food and Beverage Directors Association of Nevada, 2007
Nevada Luminary Award, 2006
Pioneering Spirit Award, 2004
Educator of the Year, Nevada Restaurant Association, 2000
Free Enterprise Award, 1993
First Lifetime Achievement Award, Governors Conference on Tourism, 1993
Nevada Restaurateur of the Year, 1992
Nevada Italian American of the Year, 1991
United States Small Business Advocate of the Year, 1989
First Governor’s Award for Excellence in business, State of Nevada, 1987
White House Conference on Small Business, Elected Delegate, 1986
National Restaurant Association: Recognition for Dedicated Service to the Food Industry, 1984 and 1985
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POLITICAL AWARDS
Nevada Commission on Tourism Legacy Award 2015
Women's Hall of Fame, Pioneer Award, Women's Chamber of Nevada, 2009
Champion of Diversity, Department of Veterans Affairs USA, 2008
The Nevada Committee on Foreign Relations Governor Mike O’Callahan Award for Outstanding Achievement
Outstanding Support of the Hispanic Community, Las Vegas International Press Association, 2004
Several Sources Foundation Appreciation, 2003
Promoting Cooperation, Friendship, and Understanding Between the People of Nevada and Japan, 2000
Institute of the Ironworking Industry, Loyal Supporter
Hope Award, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1999
Woman of the Year, Nevada Ballet Theatre, 1999
Republican Woman of the Year, 1996
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LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES
• To create an environment that positions Nevada as the number one place in the world for​ entrepreneurial opportunity and
success while maintaining Nevada's pioneer free-enterprise economic environment.
• To promote the statewide effort to increase Nevada's national and global tourism opportunities.
• Promote efforts to explore renewable energy opportunities for economic diversification, environmentally responsible
stewardship, and to offset conventional energy source costs.
• To create a world-class K-PhD education system utilizing public-private partnerships.
• To promote Nevada as a world-class research and development center for the treatment of diseases of brain aging.
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OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Initiated the Nevada Technology Partnership
• Team leader of the prestigious business policy group, The Nevada Entrepreneurship Team
• Led the state's first Trade and Tourism delegation to the People's Republic of China, 2003
• The first Nevada state official to formally visit the People's Republic of China
• Opened the first approved state tourism office in the People's Republic of China in 2004 (one of only 14 licenses in the world granted by the People's Republic of China's government)
• Initiated the development of the Truckee River Whitewater Park in Reno, Nevada
• Led aggressive efforts to relocate motion picture and television production facilities to Nevada while promoting filming on locations throughout the state.
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Hunt-Bono also participates extensively in community service, including having served on the St. Rose Dominican Hospital Community Board and as past president and trustee of St. Jude's Ranch for Children.
Lorraine and her family are pioneers of the Las Vegas business community and Nevada's restaurant industry. Her family moved to Nevada in 1943 from Niagara Falls, NY. She graduated Las Vegas High School and attended Westlake College of Music. Lorraine embarked on a professional music career at age 18 and and made her first real estate investment at the age of 19 with the money she earned as a vocalist.
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Lorraine's son, Ron Mancuso, established his own prominence in the music industry as a worldwide contemporary musician, producer and composer. He also serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the family's Nevada business enterprises.
Lorraine is married to recording artist and musical-variety show host Dennis Bono. Lorraine and Dennis, between them, have two children and four grandchildren.
Lorraine and Dennis' Wedding, March 5, 2006 "Two Italian Families Joined Together To Become One"
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