State forms task force on economy

Thirteen business and government leaders from northern Nevada have been named to a state task force assigned to identify steps to diversify the state's economy.

The New Nevada Task Force was created by Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, who serves as chairman of the state's Commission on Economic Development.

The task force is expected to make its recommendations before the start of the legislative session in 2011, Krolicki said.

Northern Nevada residents named to the task force include:

Michael Dermody of Dermody Properties; State Sen. Randolph Townsend, Ian Rogoff of the Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization, Dan Schochet of Ram Power Corp., Jeff Schnitzer of GE Energy in Minden; Mary Simmons of NV Energy, Krys Bart of Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Tim Crowley of the Nevada Mining Association, Norm Dianda of Q&D Construction; Steve Wells of Desert Research Institute, State Assemblywoman Heidi Gansert; Dorothy Gallagher of the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education and former Gov. Kenny Guinn.