Margi Grein is passionate about preventing the elderly from being taken advantage of. She became executive officer of the Nevada State Contractors Board in 1998, implementing professional training programs and overseeing the creation of a fraud unit. This year, the board organized a series of events highlighting services available to those who need them, as well as disaster preparedness and scam awareness.
Do you have any recent news you’d like to share?
I am excited about our fraud unit. This is important to me because it advances the mission of the contractors board to the next level in consumer protection. It’s one thing to revoke and discipline a licensee who puts the lives of Nevadans in danger, but it’s another to work with state and federal officials to see the most egregious and devious offenders tried at a higher judicial level with far greater consequences than the board can impose.
What is the best business advice you’ve received?
Former board chairman Kim Gregory once told me, “When you have big projects, pick up the $100 bills first, then pick up the $50s, the $20s, the $10s and the $1s.” Seems like a simple reminder about setting priorities, but when you deal with a variety of issues every day, this advice is useful.
If you could change one thing about Southern Nevada, what would it be?
I would like to see the construction industry dedicate more attention to consumer education and outreach. Contractors have personal interactions with homeowners on a daily basis, so the impact they play in raising awareness of the protections of the board and licensed contractors is instrumental to the health and safety of the public.
What’s the biggest issue facing Southern Nevada?
Identifying improvements to our educational system is an ongoing and current issue impacting residents of Southern Nevada. Ensuring we are preparing future generations adequately and providing them the resources necessary to fulfill their intellectual needs is vital to the future successes of our state.
What has been your most exciting professional project?
Establishing the Residential Recovery Fund may not have been the most exciting project, but it has been by far the most rewarding. We are only one of two states in the nation that provide homeowners of single-family residences financial recourse up to $35,000 if they are damaged by a licensed contractor. Since its inception in 1999, the board has awarded nearly $9 million to homeowners who otherwise would have had to seek recourse through civil litigation to recoup their losses. That is something to be proud of, and I certainly am.
What kind of outreach is being conducted this year?
We are excited to celebrate the board’s 75th anniversary with a statewide, yearlong campaign highlighting different topics and promoting messages of public protection, available resources to Nevadans, and efforts the construction industry has made to make Nevada great.
Our campaign kicked off in March with a series of presentations on elder-abuse prevention. We joined forces with elected officials, local law enforcement, district attorneys’ offices and various state agencies to offer insights on how to identify signs of financial, physical and emotional abuse, and provide information on free resources available to those in need.
Being the catalyst to bring this information to the people, to protect them in their most vulnerable moments, and to offer opportunity where none is thought to exist, is what we are all about.
Why has consumer protection been a priority focus for you?
It starts with my upbringing and expectations for humanity. It’s one thing to be taught these principles as a child, but as I began to see firsthand the unlimited ways people were taking advantage of the most vulnerable in our society, it changes you. You believe more can be done to secure the public’s protection, and it has always been my priority to be progressive in my approaches to accomplish this. Once I became the executive officer, I knew it was my opportunity to make a mark.
What are you reading?
“First Women,” a book about the grace and power of America’s modern first ladies. But when I’m really looking for a good read, I pick up the “Pioneer Woman Cooks” cookbook, because let’s be honest, staring at delicious meals always puts a smile on your face.
Blackberry, iPhone or Android?
Siri laughed when I asked her this question.
Describe your management style.
My style of management is all about empowering my leadership team to ensure everyone on their staff has the skills, vision and direction to be successful. I’m not a micromanager, but I make it a point to stay involved and offer guidance when necessary. I value continuing training opportunities, maintaining strong communication throughout the agency, encouraging collaborative and innovative ideas, and working together toward solutions.
What is your dream job, outside of your current field?
My dream job would undoubtedly be a position that allows me to mentor young women to become successful professionals by helping them maximize their leadership potential. As a woman who worked my way up from the bottom to the top, nothing brings me greater pleasure than seeing the next generation of women fulfill their dreams, become leaders in our communities, and make advancements in all facets of life.
Whom do you admire?
I admire my father because when my mother passed away when I was 8, he didn’t waver in his commitment to take on the challenge of raising four kids single-handedly. He remained strong for our family, kept us involved in the church, and overall supported our dreams, well-being and happiness. Back then, that wasn’t an easy feat, yet he did so without hesitation or expression of the toll it may have taken on him. He demonstrated strength and unconditional love in a way I still cherish to this day.
What is something that people might not know about you?
I was born and raised in Fallon, and have lived in this state my entire life. I also graduated the FBI Citizens Academy a couple of years ago, which was an exciting program to be nominated for and participate in.