The Jim Gibson Story – A Man of Nevada
As a fifth-generation Nevadan, the roots of Jim Gibson and his family and friends run far and wide throughout the Silver State.

Jim's father - the late James I. Gibson - spent more than 30 years as one of the state's top Democrats serving in the Nevada State Legislature and was the first person inducted into the Nevada State Senate Hall of Fame. His grandfather on his mother's side of the family - J. Harold Brinley - served as Superintendent of the Clark County School District in the mid 1900s.

Growing up, Jim learned the value of public service. "You give back to your community and you build for the future," his dad would tell him.

For more than two decades since finishing law school, Jim has served his community. He became a respected and trusted businessmen and community leader, demonstrating high professional standards, a strong work ethic and a commitment to fundamental fairness.

Because of his dedication to the community, Jim was chosen to serve as the chairman of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce's Legislative Committee for an unprecedented 11 consecutive legislative sessions - spanning more than two decades.

In 1997, community leaders urged Jim to run for mayor of his hometown of Henderson. He won in the primary with 51.8 percent of the vote in a crowded field. Under his leadership, Henderson has evolved into one of the premier cities in which to live and work in the Southwest.

As mayor he created a public-private partnership in the public school system to promote after-school reading. He led the way for the development of the state's first state college, broadened health care services and became a powerful advocate for parks, recreational areas and open spaces.

Now, Jim Gibson is focusing his passion, his commitment, and his vision on building a brighter future for the state he loves - running to become Nevada's next governor. Whether he's in the practicing law in Southern Nevada, lobbying the legislature in Carson City or hunting and fishing in Elko County, Jim Gibson is at home in Nevada.

The late 1990s were a critical time in the Henderson community’s development because of its explosive growth. During that time, Henderson became Nevada's second-largest city, has maintained a balanced budget and offers its residents a high-quality of life. Henderson boasts the most parks per resident, the highest bond rating and the lowest crime rate of any Nevada city while maintaining one of the lowest taxbases in the state. This demonstrates his ability to do more with less.

He was unopposed for re-election in 2001 and won re-election in 2005 with 80.43 percent of the vote. Today, Jim - who still lives in the same house he and his wife, Lora, moved into 30 years ago and raised their six children in - still balances his personal time with his wife, children and grandchildren with his business career, his commitment to his church, and his position as a public servant.

A respected attorney and CEO. A committed volunteer to his church and such organizations as the Boy Scouts of America. A proven public servant. Those are the hallmarks of Jim Gibson's career. Serving on boards of organizations such as the Nevada Development Authority, the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Commission's Air Quality Committee and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Jim learned firsthand about Nevada's needs today and in the future, Now he’s seeking to apply that experience as Nevada’s next governor.

In 1988, after an explosion at a local rocket fuel manufacturing plant, PEPCON - which was owned by members of the Gibson family - Jim's father, who was the president of the company, became gravely ill and ultimately died six months later of cancer.

With his dad's health failing and the plant needing someone to step in, Jim Gibson left his law firm to become legal counsel to the organization that operated the facility -a company his grandfather founded and that his father and uncle had worked to build for most of their working lives.

Then, in 2004, Jim was again called upon to help stabilize another ailing organization. Bob Broadbent-the founder of the Las Vegas Monorail and one of Jim's life-long friends passed away during the crucial final stages of the project's development. The monorail's opening was already past due and the system had yet to be fully debugged.

Too far along to stop, already facing many challenges with the project and in need of strong management, community leaders once again turned to Jim Gibson.

Gibson accepted the position as chief executive officer of Transit Systems Management - the management company for the Las Vegas Monorail - in an effort to guarantee the residents of Southern Nevada that this project would get off the ground.

Despite many engineering and mechanical setbacks out of his control, Jim helped hold the project together through its toughest times and ultimately opened the system. Today-despite its initial setbacksthe monorail is well on its way to becoming a part of Southern Nevada's transportation future.

Jim Gibson does the right thing—he takes responsibility during the most difficult times, stepping forward to support friends and family—even when doing so entails risk…Jim Gibson is a man of courage.

Additional Background Information
Jim was educated in the Clark County School District and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Brigham Young University in 1972… He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints in Lima, Peru and is fluent in Spanish… He earned his law degree from the California Western School of Law in 1975… He formerly served as General Counsel for the operating subsidiaries of American Pacific Corporation… Jim currently is a practicing attorney in his own firm and has been a practicing attorney/litigator for 29 years. He has provided hundreds of hours of pro bono work helping families with adoptions and supporting the Clark County Bar Association… He is a member of Board of Directors of the Las Vegas Events as well as a member of the City of Henderson Redevelopment Agency and has served as a member of the Regional Transportation Commission… Jim represents the City of Henderson on the Federal Lands Sub-Committee and has been active on various committee assignments for the Clark County Bar Association… The Boy Scouts of America Boulder Dam Area Council awarded Mayor Gibson the Silver Beaver Award in 2004 and the Good Scout Award in 2002… He also received the 2002 Humanitarian Award from the National Jewish Medical and Research Center… He was named the 1994 Henderson Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Member… Jim and his wife, Lora, have raised their six children (four boys and two daughters) in Henderson and now enjoy six grandchildren... Jim was a four-sport star at Henderson’s Basic High School (the same high school U.S. Senator Harry Reid attended) and held a long-standing school passing record in football… For over two decades, he coached his children in various youth sports… We thank you for your interest in learning more about Jim Gibson and his family.