Las Vegas nonprofit execs make big bucks helping the poor
Nevada nonprofit groups are designed to help the poor and other people in need, but their leaders aren’t working for minimum wage.
Here are 10 of the highest-paid nonprofit executives in the Las Vegas Valley, as disclosed in publicly available filings with the Internal Revenue Service. The compensation totals — which include base pay, bonuses and other benefits — are the most recent figures available through nonprofit-research site GuideStar.
The Review-Journal did not include leaders of foundations, which typically donate their own money to outside groups. Other nonprofits have programming and raise funds from donors and other sources.
Audra Hamernik, president and CEO, Nevada HAND $552,441
Nevada HAND says it is the largest affordable-housing developer in the state, with a portfolio that includes 36 communities serving 8,200-plus residents.
Bob Brown, president and CEO, Opportunity Village $454,256
Opportunity Village helps people with disabilities through employment services, arts and recreation, youth programs and other services.
Brown is a former publisher of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Deacon Tom Roberts, president and CEO, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada $445,490
Catholic Charities offers food services, emergency homeless shelter, immigration services and other programs.
Roberts recently announced he is retiring at the end of the year.
Brian Burton, president and CEO, Three Square Food Bank $420,210
Three Square, which says it distributed more than 37 million meals last year, partners with nonprofits, schools and other groups to provide food to the hungry.
Burton left Three Square in 2022 to become CEO of the Arkansas Foodbank.
Rick Neal, president and CEO, Goodwill of Southern Nevada $337,561
Goodwill operates a chain of thrift stores where it sells clothing, electronics and other donated goods, and it provides free career coaching and other employment services.
Neal, a retired Air Force colonel and former Clark County School District official, was hired to lead the group in 2019, shortly after Goodwill emerged from bankruptcy.
The nonprofit had filed for Chapter 11 protection in 2017 following an aggressive expansion and hefty bond sale and after it fell behind on its rent at most stores, the Review-Journal previously reported.
Mark Brown, CEO, Miracle Flights $313,635, plus $78,409 in compensation from related organizations
A national nonprofit, Miracle Flights provides free commercial air travel to sick children who need distant medical care. It says it has provided more than 150,000 free flights since 1985.
Liz Ortenburger, CEO, Safe Nest $261,656
Safe Nest helps victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse with a 24/7 hotline, emergency shelter, counseling and other assistance.
Barbara Buckley, executive director, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada $248,816
Legal Aid Center provides legal counsel to people who can’t afford an attorney. Its practice areas include foreclosures, bankruptcies, evictions and debt collection.
Buckley, who took the helm of the organization in 1996, is a former speaker of the Nevada Assembly.
Julian High, CEO, United Way of Southern Nevada $248,498
United Way provides funding to dozens of organizations that help students, offer career services, provide food and shelter and operate other programs.
High was hired to lead the group in 2021.
Andy Bischel, president and CEO, Boys &Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada $227,962
The Boys &Girls Clubs offer after-school programs focused on academics, leadership skills, arts, health, and sports and recreation.
Contact Eli Segall at esegall@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0342.
