Smith Center Welcomes Debinique Watts-Blackburn as Director of Human Resources

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts welcomes Debinique Watts-Blackburn as Director of Human Resources and Bonnie Houldsworth as Controller.

"As we move closer to our Spring 2012 opening, it is essential we lay the right foundation for the future of The Smith Center and that starts with our employees," says MyRon Martin, president and chief executive officer of The Smith Center.

Originally from the San Francisco Bay area, Watts-Blackburn attended Notre Dame de Namur University and holds a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in Human Resources Management. Upon completing graduate school in 2000 she began working in the human resources field for a privately held real estate development firm. In 2002, she relocated to Las Vegas where she has since held HR positions with Quest Diagnostics, MGM resorts International and Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

Bonnie Houldsworth brings more than 30 years of accounting experience, which includes founding Houldsworth, Russo & Co. and extensive work with nonprofit organizations as well as the construction and gaming industries. During her career, she has won dozens of awards including Entrepreneur's "100 Most Influential Practitioners" and her firm was recognized as one of the best places to work by In Business Las Vegas. Adding to her accolades, Houldsworth has held positions on prominent committees including president and treasurer of the Board of Accountancy for former Nevada governor Kenny Guinn. A graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, Houldsworth is currently serving on the university's executive advisory board.

About The Smith Center

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is a public/private partnership that will become the centerpiece of cultural life in Las Vegas offering a blend of performances by resident companies as well as first-run touring attractions. The 5-acre cultural campus will feature three performance spaces including the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall with refined acoustics and the Boman Pavilion housing a cabaret jazz space and a studio theater, all complemented by the DISCOVERY Children's Museum. The Smith Center will be a living room for Las Vegas; a place that will educate, entertain and excite the citizens of our great community. Located in downtown's 61-acre urban development, Symphony Park, The Smith Center broke ground in May of 2009 with a ceremonial carillon bell casting and ringing. In February 2010, it celebrated its "Topping Out" with the raising of 50 tons of steel and is projected to open in March 2012. For more information about The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, please visit www.thesmithcenter.com. Keep up with news and events on Facebook.

 

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