CEO
ann@simmons-group.com
Office: 702-492-5310
Cell: 702-493-5500

Ann has more than forty years of talent management, organizational development, strategic planning, human resources, operations and training experience. Her work includes a broad range of technical functions such as human resources, employee training and development, management and supervisory training, executive coaching, strategic planning, public speaking and communications. Her company has worked with national and international companies. Nicholson is recognized as a professional who has the unique ability to develop partnerships with clients to obtain maximum results for individuals and the organization.

Ann was employed in human resource and training executive positions by leaders in the gaming industry, including Grand Casinos, Stratosphere, Station Casinos, and the Rio/Harrah’s. She moved to Salt Lake City, Utah as Director of Volunteer Operations with the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Olympic Winter and Paralympic Games. She returned to Las Vegas as the Vice President of Human Resources with The Regent Las Vegas (JW Marriott). Ann's human resources and training experience also includes working with a grocery/convenience store company and a national fast food chain.

In July of 2000, she formed Las Vegas-based Simmons Group consulting company. She has provided consulting services to a diverse clientele base, including MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, Golden Entertainment, Whole Foods, Scientific Games, Valley View Casino, MTV’s The Real World Las Vegas, Niagara Water, Penta Building Company, and Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Ann has opened, expanded or merged 44 operations including hotels, casinos, manufacturing companies, cruise ships, furniture markets, and indoor water parks. From the strategic set-up, evaluation and selection of systems, space and people to the setting up of processes, policies and procedures as well as training and development, Simmons Group is a full-service talent management consulting firm. In mergers and acquisitions, Simmons Group has also been instrumental in the conceptualizing and implementing the integration of multiple cultures into one culture.

Simmons Group also has worked with numerous non-profit organizations including Three Square, City of Henderson, Saugus Union School District, City of North Las Vegas, Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, I Have a Dream Foundation, Odyssey Charter School, Keep it Alive Foundation and the Del Monte Forest Foundation. Simmons Group also has worked with numerous hotel and casino openings including:

• Rivers Casino Des Plaines

• Best Sunshine (Imperial Pacific)

• Rivers Casino Pittsburg

• Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe

• Victories Casino

• First Light Hotel & Casino

• The M Resort

• Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino

All of her consulting is designed around specific practical outcomes determined by her client.

Ann is a graduate of Concordia College, where she earned a BA in Organization & Communications Management. She is also a Certified Human Resources Manager through the University of Minnesota Industrial Relations Center. She completed Stanford’s Executive Education Program in August 2013.