Tom Burns named Nevada GOED director

Gov. Joe Lombardo on Thursday appointed Tom Burns Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) Executive Director, effective Jan. 30

“As I said in my State of the State Address, economic development will be a priority in my administration,”  Lombardo said. “With his successful private sector experience and leadership in the business community, I know Tom is the right person to lead GOED.”

The GOED Board made the recommendation of Burns to Governor Lombardo, which is required by state law. Burns was previously with Cragin & Pike, an insurance company in Las Vegas. Burns joined Cragin & Pike in 1991, became a shareholder in 1998 and served as President from 2010 to 2022. He started his career as a Certified Public Accountant with Deloitte and subsequently was the Assistant Corporate Controller at United Gaming, the predecessor of Bally Gaming Technologies. A graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, he has also served as the Chair of the Las Vegas Chamber..

“I have had a good seat in observing the work that GOED has performed over the past decade,” Burns said. “Diversifying our state’s economy and building a skilled workforce that meets the demands of industry moving into the Silver State are just a few of the items I’m passionate about as I embark on the leadership role at GOED.”

Burns succeeds Michael Brown, who resigned in December. Bob Potts has served as GOED acting director in the interim.