News Releases
Nevada Suffers a Great Loss: Former Nevada Power Company President Dies
Dec 26, 2001
9:00pm
Contact: Sonya Headen
Phone: (702) 367-5222
For Immediate Release
Former Nevada Power Company President Steve Rigazio passed away early this morning at his home. He was 47.
Rigazio announced his retirement last June citing health reasons for leaving the daily operations of the company. He was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease in 1999.
"During his many years with the Company, Steve's honesty, integrity, dedication and warmth made a lasting impact on all the employees who were fortunate enough to know him. He was a very well-respected and beloved member of both the Nevada Power family and the southern Nevada community," said Walt Higgins, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sierra Pacific Resources.
Rigazio joined Nevada Power Company in 1984 as a rates administrator. He was named Vice President of Planning in 1991, and in 1992 was named Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer.
When Nevada Power Company merged with Sierra Pacific Resources in 1999, Rigazio was named Senior Vice President of Energy Delivery, and in 2000 was named President of Nevada Power Company.
Previously, he was employed for three years with the Public Service commission of Nevada, the precursor to PublicUtilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN). He spent three years in the stock brokerage business before joining the PUCN.
Rigazio was involved in the Las Vegas community, serving on the boards of Nevada Development Authority, Nevadans for the Prevention of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), New Horizons Academy, Bishop Gorman High School Board of Regents, Salvation Army, Sunrise Children's Hospital Foundation, Friends of PBS Channel 10, Nevada Taxpayers Association and Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors.
"Steve combined a keen business sense with a long history in Nevada to create a presence that will be sorely missed by all of us. We would like to express our condolences to his family" added Higgins.
Rigazio is survived by his wife, Annette, two children, Bethanie and David, and his parents.
