President and Founder of the Simmons Group, Ann Simmons Nicholson is recognized as an expert in Strategic Planning, Talent Management, Human Resources, Organizational Development and Training. She has provided consulting services private industry, government and in non-profit sectors. Clients such as Konami Gaming, Whole Foods, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, US Border Patrol, Scientific Games, as well as numerous non-profit organizations have all benefited from Ann’s over 30 years of experience. She has been working in the gaming for 23 of those years. Having opened, expanded or transitioned from one owner to another 43 hotel casinos, manufacturers, cruise ships, water parks and furniture marts during her career she has worked with all the major players in the gaming industry including beyond those mentioned above: MGM, Station Casinos, SHFL Entertainment, Bally Technologies, Aristocrat, Scientific Games, Rio, M Resort, Palms & Palms Place, Mandalay Bay, Caesar’s, and numerous Tribal Gaming Entities. Her work has included all areas of strategic talent planning and management including: management and supervisory training, executive coaching, all areas of human resources, employee training and development, public speaking and communications. Ann has the unique ability to partner with her clients and becomes an invaluable resource to companies seeking her services. A nineteen year resident of Las Vegas, Ann serves her community in a variety of ways. She is a board member for Noah’s Animal House. She is heavily involved in the I Have A Dream Foundation, Global Gaming Women, Communities in Schools Nevada and National, Safe Nest, and the Keep it Alive Foundation among others. Ann is degreed in Organization and Communications Management from Concordia College; she is a certified Human Resource Manager from the University of Minnesota School of Industrial Relations and completed the Executive Program at Stanford University August, 2013.