Face to Face - March 2004

Face to Face

Name: Shannon Cook

Title: Manager / Women’s Business Group

Company: Silver State Bank

Type of Business: Community-based business bank, specializing in commercial conventional and SBA lending.

Location: Henderson and Las Vegas

Years in Nevada: 3

Years with Company: 3

When I came to Nevada three years ago, I had no customers or networking relationships to bring to Silver State Bank. It was a hurdle, learning how to market myself so people would send me their business. Additionally, heading up the Women’s Business Group was difficult at first. Helping my clients learn about all the resources available to them has been challenging, but rewarding.

My favorite aspect of the job is that I learn something new each day from my clients. They are diverse, competitive and educated individuals with a wealth of knowledge in their industries.

I am a single mother of an intelligent, high-energy 6-year-old. When I am not chasing her around, I help her with homework and school projects. We also spend a lot of time with my parents, who live in the area.

Did you have a mentor or role model?

My parents have played the greatest role in influencing me. They always pushed me to try my hardest and provided me with a great upbringing.

What would you like your legacy to be?

The most important legacy I could leave is to help my daughter realize she can do anything she wants despite the challenges and barriers she may face.

Best Business Advice:

"Change is the only constant." A good businessperson knows staying in the game requires fast-paced adaptability.

Name: Michael G. Fauci

Title: President

Company: M.G. Fauci Construction Co., Inc.

Type Of Business: General contractor, commercial building

Location: Las Vegas

Years in Nevada: 43

Years with Company: 31

Biggest Business Challenge:

We just completed building a new Mercedes dealership, over 200,000 square feet. The state-of-the-art building is now the largest dealership in Nevada.

I’m working on developing a "Little Italy" –East New York style – about the size of Chinatown. Las Vegas is ready for a project like this.

I like having full control over day-to-day operations of the company with total responsibility for my own actions, and not having to answer to partners or stockholders.

I enjoy hunting, fishing and golfing. I also like spending weekends on our property outside of Elko and working on heavy equipment, i.e., old tractors.

That M.G. Fauci Construction Company had a good reputation in the construction industry and played a part in helping to build Las Vegas.

Never let a bid leave your office unless you see it first and make the final approval.