Media Contact: Bob Sagan (775) 834-3615

Sierra Pacific Power Co. President Jeff Ceccarelli and Tony Lubbers, former chief executive officer for John Ascuaga's Nugget, will be inducted tonight (Thursday) into the Business Leaders Hall of Fame at the 21st annual Junior Achievement of Northern Nevada Business Leaders Hall of Fame Dinner at the Nugget.

The two will join 73 other business and community leaders, all chosen since 1985 by their peers, for having made a lasting impact on the region's business community and society.

Ceccarelli joined Sierra Pacific in 1972 as a student engineer while attending the University of Nevada, Reno. He became a full-time employee in 1976 after graduating with a degree in civil engineering. Ceccarelli had held several positions with the utility when he became vice president of Distribution Services in 1998. In June 2000, he was named president of Sierra Pacific Power.

Tony Lubbers served as chief executive officer of Ascuaga's Nugget from 1985â€" 1997. He joined the company in 1962 as banquet manager and was awarded several promotions, eventually assuming duties as restaurant director for the casino. In 1980, he was promoted to executive vice president-general manager, and accepted the CEO position in 1985.

The Business Leaders Hall of Fame Selection Committee is guided in its choices by several criteria: Candidates must have performed in a career befitting the American free-enterprise system; exhibited a record of unselfish accomplishment and leadership in community involvement; displayed good moral background and lived as an example to young people; and exemplified interest in, and assistance to, the community's youth.

Proceeds from the induction dinner will benefit 10,000 northern Nevada students who participate in Junior Achievement programs each year. Junior Achievement inspires students to succeed in the business of life by encouraging local leaders to volunteer as classroom instructors, who teach their students real-life business tools such as financial responsibility, taxation and manufacturing.

By supporting Junior Achievement, volunteers bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace, making youngsters smarter consumers and better employees.