Four of Southern Nevada’s standout professionals met up at Amari Italian Kitchen & Wine Shop over their drink of choice to share the passion and principles behind their success. From courtroom resilience to culinary innovation, these leaders emphasize adaptability, community, and purpose. Their stories, forged through triumphs and setbacks, offer actionable insights for those aiming to leave their mark. Here’s how they turn challenges into opportunities and inspire others through action.
Patrick Kang, Managing Partner, Ace Law Group
"What makes a good trial attorney? Resilience."
For Patrick Kang, Managing Partner at Ace Law Group, he has learned this lesson the hard way.
"In my business, you are always taking a beating, something will always go wrong. You can't let it get to you at the moment."
That calm under pressure persona, along with his extensive experience in personal injury and employment law, has earned Patrick many accolades. Having won some major trials including a recent $15 million verdict against The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Patrick said it's actually the big loss that had generated the most rewarding payback.
"I lost a big trial in 2023, and it destroyed me," said Patrick. "It also was the best thing that happened to me. For the next six months, I woke up every day determined to make sure we understood what went wrong and improved our process."
For attorneys following in his footsteps, Patrick said the best advice is to try different types of law and see what fits.
"You have to follow your heart and what calls to you," said Patrick. "If you are good at something then you will naturally become passionate, and success will follow."
Jason Rocheleau, Owner & Operator, Heart & Vine Hospitality
Jason Rocheleau, a hospitality veteran with over two decades of experience, remains driven by collaboration and new ventures. "I love collaborating with people and launching new projects," he said, citing upcoming events at Amari Italian Kitchen & Wine Shop and partnerships with Chef Adam Sobel of Aether Group. "It’s an honor working with different teams to create unique experiences."
Throughout his career, Jason has run successful restaurants for renowned chefs such as Wolfgang Puck and Michael Mina, establishing a strong foundation in the food and beverage industry. Today, among his many ongoing projects, he is proud to lead his team at Amari, a neighborhood-inspired Italian eatery located at UnCommons. "Amari reminds me of the restaurants I grew up with in Connecticut," he shared. "The community loves our food and ambiance, but it’s the people who work here that make this place special."
Looking ahead, Jason is preparing to bring Amari’s warm, community-focused ethos to Charleston Peak Winery and Storyhouse Distillery.
His secret to lasting success? "We’re seeing a lot of theatrical stuff on social media, but those things come and go. It really comes down to understanding your guests and what keeps them coming back.
Jaime Cruz, Executive Director, Workforce Connections
"Acta Non Verba" or "Actions not Words." This is the motto that Jaime Cruz says he has always come back to.
"Say what you mean and mean what you say," said Jaime. "Don't overpromise, work hard, and always give your best."
As the Executive Director of Workforce Connections, Southern Nevada's Local Workforce Development Board, Jaime has lived this advice himself, and he credits it for getting him to where he is today. Jaime spent many years in the hospitality industry before transitioning to Workforce Connections for the last six years, helping to connect employers to a ready workforce.
"I fell in love with this work," said Jaime. "I get to help so many people. You can't meet everyone in person, but you hear their stories and their successes and that just inspires me."
A father of two successful children of his own, Jaime says being a proud immigrant has also given him the inspiration.
"I was born and raised in Lima, Peru, but Nevada is my home now," said Jaime. "I have always been thankful for the opportunity I was given. When we are given that opportunity, we have to deliver, and I believe that I have done just that."
Dr. Joseph Lasky, Medical Director, Cure 4 The Kids Foundation
“There are some sad reasons for why we do what we do. But in the majority of cases, we have a positive outcome, and for that, I am thankful.”
Dr. Joseph Lasky said that every day he continues to be inspired by the people he meets.
"I recently got an email from a former patient who is now 19," said Dr. Lasky. "We treated her for childhood leukemia when she was around 14. She said she had just been accepted into nursing school and wanted to come to our clinic to get her vaccines, and we said of course! It's super rewarding to hear these kinds of stories."
At Cure 4 the Kids, Nevada's only pediatrics cancer and rare disease treatment center, Dr. Lasky and his team are dedicated to providing innovative and compassionate care and curing pediatrics cancer. For Dr. Lasky, the big part of his organization's success is the willingness to embrace change.
"Like they say, you have to build the bike while you are riding it," said Dr. Lasky. "You have to have grit and be adaptable and know how to get things done despite the challenges you face."