Experience

Neilsen & Company

• Real Estate
• 1 - 100 Employee

• President

  • 2011 - Present

  Neilsen & Company is a real estate development company responsible for the construction of many of Twin Falls’ major commercial, residential, educational and municipal buildings. Originally founded and operated by my grandfather in the 1960’s, and grown by my dad for the next three decades, I continue the Neilsen family legacy of creating exceptional real estate projects. Neilsen and Company develops projects ranging from food halls, hotels, and restaurants to mixed-use projects in various roles from investor-partner to co-owner.



Craig H. Neilsen Foundation

• United States
• Philanthropic Fundraising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chairman Of The Board

  • 2006 - Present

  The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, with assets of $475M, is dedicated to supporting research and innovative rehabilitation programs to improve the quality of life for those with a spinal cord injury. First serving as an advisory board member, I was named Co-Trustee and Chairman of the Board shortly after my father and the Foundation’s founder, Craig H. Neilsen, passed away in 2006. In these roles, I am actively involved in overseeing the investment of the Foundations's assets, determining the strategic direction, budget and allocation of the Foundation's grant-making activities, establishing procedures for the objective review and assessment of grant applications, adopting staffing plans and overseeing the Foundation staff in the implementation of the Foundation's programs.



Ameristar Casino

• United States
• Gambling Facilities and Casinos
• 700 & Above Employee

• Chairman Of The Board

  • 2008 - 2011

  Ameristar Casinos is a publicly traded, innovative casino company with eight properties in five states. With 7,100 employees, the company prides itself on award-winning customer guest service. Quality and attention to detail in its hotels, casinos, restaurants and amenities made Ameristar among the most popular in each of its markets. As Chairman, I worked alongside the senior management team on company-wide strategic operations, construction and design direction. During my Chairmanship, I oversaw the opening of two new properties and the renovation of a third property.

• Co-Chair of the Board & Sr. V.P. of Ops & Special Projects

  • 2006 - 2008

  Partnering with senior management, we led the company culture and shaped Ameristar's evolving legacy following the passing of the founder while providing additional oversight of the operational aspects of the company with a national focus to further enhance the Ameristar brand.

• Vice President & General Manager

  • 2000 - 2006

  During my tenure, with an employee base of more than 1000, I dramatically improved Ameristar Vicksburg’s market share lead by taking the property from a 29 percent market share to more than 50 percent. I was also instrumental in the procurement and implementation of a $110M expansion project which included working with city government to rezone the property’s footprint.

• Vice President & General Manager

  • 1997 - 2000

  Along with the property management team, I successfully implemented significant property improvements that resulted in Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs becoming the first riverboat in the nation to earn the prestigious AAA Four Diamond rating.

• Various Front Line & Management Positions

  • 1991 - 1997

  My career began by bussing tables through a management training program at the Company’s Cactus Pete’s property. Over the next few years, I moved to work and train as the company expanded outside Nevada into Mississippi and Iowa. During this period of rapid growth for Ameristar, I received a number of promotions including Beverage Manager, Corporate Vice President of Branding, Director of Special Projects, and Assistant General Manager.