In his professional role as Executive Director of the Council, Ted Hartwell serves as the public spokesperson and engages with key stakeholders at the local, state, and national level on all issues related to problem gambling. As a person in long term recovery from a gambling problem, Ted is committed to spreading awareness of problem gambling to the people of Nevada.

Ted oversees community engagement and project development activities to support successful implementation of problem gambling awareness and prevention programs throughout Nevada.

As a member of the Leadership Team for the Council’s Gambling Awareness Prevention Partnership (GAPP), Ted works with Council staff and community stakeholders to identify priorities for collaborative projects to promote community awareness and prevention of problem gambling in Nevada, including the Annual Problem Gambling Awareness Month in March, and Speakers Bureau activities throughout the year.

In 2013, Ted was appointed by Governor Brian Sandoval to serve on the Nevada State Advisory Committee on Problem Gambling, where he currently continues to serve. In 2014 he received the prestigious Shannon L. Bybee Award for Advocacy, presented by the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling for his many volunteer efforts with the Council, the Problem Gambling Center and Lanie’s Hope.

Nann Meador is a 32-year resident of Southern Nevada with over 27 years’ professional experience in executive management and administration.  Since joining the Council in 2016, Nann has increased organizational efficiencies and contributed new ideas and energy to the team as a person in long term recovery.  Her compassion for individuals and families impacted by addiction, particularly those struggling with addiction-related legal issues, adds important perspective to her work in support of the Council’s mission and vision.

Nann is responsible for all program accounting, inventory and database management, contracting, grant documentation and reporting, and support staff training and supervision.  She is the contact person and outreach coordinator for NCPG’s free book distribution program which has placed over 200 problem gambling books and publications in 32 libraries in 12 Nevada counties, including 5 state and federal prisons, since 2015.  Nann is also a valued member of the Council’s GAPP leadership team, providing management oversight for Problem Gambling Awareness Month activities and other collaborative events.

Having raised her 5 children to adulthood, Nann now enjoys hosting family holiday meals, her grandchildren’s weekend sleepovers, and watching their Little League ballgames.  Nann is active in her church and recovery community where she shares her personal experience to benefit others in their recovery journey.

Ty Weinert has been a resident of Southern Nevada for over 23 years, She brings over 30 years of professional experience in communications, public relations, and management for nonprofit and for-profit organizations. This includes program development, special event coordination,  fundraising, trainings, and facilitation of workshops. Ty has a Master’s degree in Organizational Management, and she is currently a Nevada Peer Recovery Support Specialist, and PRSS- Supervisor. Having grown up in a household with family members who struggled with problem gambling and substance use disorders, Ty is very passionate about spreading the message of hope while advocating for and bringing awareness to the community about problem gambling.

As Programs Manager, Ty is responsible for daily administrative assistance as well as organizing and engaging the public in community events and presentations. She also represents the Council in several community groups that are relevant to the Council’s vision and goals. Ty also manages the council’s social media presence, offering a distinct viewpoint based on her diverse professional experiences.

In her free time, Ty loves to read, write, and operate her consulting business that focuses on psychological health and workplace safety, offering a variety of science-based resilience and workplace mental health services such as assessments, trainings, and seminars.

Laura Higuera is a psychologist from Costa Rica who moved to the United States nine years ago. She spent six years working as a casino dealer and floor supervisor, which ignited a passion in her to raise awareness about the issues surrounding gambling. Recently, Laura began working as a Community Outreach Specialist with the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, focusing on reaching the Hispanic community. She firmly believes that spreading information and awareness about gambling problems can create a positive impact within her community. She also loves to travel, learning about different cultures and enjoying the beauty of nature.

Jayne Hamm has worked at the federal, state, and local private non-profit level on such issues as domestic violence, child welfare, divorce and custody.  She worked as a mediator for Clark County doing eviction, consumer, IEP, and divorce mediation. Jayne worked as an outpatient mental health counselor doing clinic, school, and home-based therapy with individuals, children and families in Massachusetts.  She was also an executive and program director for a Court Appointed Special Advocate Program and a Big Brother Big Sister Program.  Jayne became interested in working with problem gambling and completed course work to be a Problem Gambling intern through CASAT at the University of Nevada Reno.  She then became a volunteer for the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling doing community education.  She has recently joined the staff of the Nevada Council as the program coordinator to enhance the programs outreach to the elder community.  Jayne has a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from what is now Southern New Hampshire University and a master’s degree in Human Services from Springfield College in Massachusetts.

Lori Resco-Garcia is a Southern Nevada resident for over 31 years. Originally from the Southwest suburbs of Chicago, she brings more than 25 years of customer service expertise spanning hospitality, real estate, and management. Lori’s strong organizational skills and dedication to support will contribute significantly to the success of the Nevada Council.

With years of involvement in recovery from problem gambling, Lori is deeply passionate about raising awareness and offering support to families and individuals affected by this issue. She believes that awareness is a vital tool in helping those impacted by problem gambling to find resources, healing, and hope.

Lori has been happily married for over 26 years and is the proud mother of a daughter and grandmother to a beloved granddaughter. Her family is her greatest joy and provides her with the motivation to help others. Through her own experiences, Lori understands the profound effects problem gambling can have on families, and she hopes to share that understanding with others in Southern Nevada facing similar challenges.