The Center • 401 S. Maryland Pkwy. • Las Vegas, NV 89101 • 702-733-9800        Open Mon-Fri 10am-10pm • Sat 10am-3pm

Meet the Staff

 

Candice Nichols

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Candice Nichols proudly served as the Executive Director for The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada (The Center) from December of 2004 to April 2013. Under her leadership, The Center expanded programs to serve the youth, senior citizens and the mainstream LGBTQ community. Candice has forged partnerships with local organizations and agencies that have transformed The Center into a central hub for those seeking services and acceptance. As she continues her service as Senior Director of Programming and Community Partnerships, Candice looks forward to increasing the visibility and awareness of The Center and also addressing new challenges Southern Nevada faces as a community involved in the social justice movement. Prior to joining The Center, Candice worked for several Southern Nevada nonprofits. In the early 1990's she held the position of Director of Public Affairs at Planned Parenthood of Southern Nevada, and then during the height of the AIDS epidemic became Director of Prevention Education for 11.5 years at Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN), the largest AIDS Service Organization in Southern Nevada. Candice is a native of Las Vegas, Nevada. She is a mother of two adult children and proud grandmother of two adorable grandchildren. Her family has expanded with the addition of her life partner, Suzanne Miele's two adult daughters.

Mel Goodwin

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Mel Goodwin, a Las Vegas native, holds a Bachelor’s degree in social work and a certificate in non-profit management. Mel has worked in the non-profit sector for eight years. They were recently promoted to Program Director of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada after spending more than three years as Youth Services Director. Prior to joining The Center, they worked at Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, raising approximately $1.5 million in grant funds over a three and a half year period.

Mel’s work and activism have spanned many areas, including advocating for trans-inclusive human rights laws (three of which were passed in 2011), co-founding Gender Justice Nevada, a trans-led and -focused organization, initiating and spearheading The Center’s first programs that affirm all trans identities, and sharing about gender diversity with all who will listen. Mel created and maintains the Southern Nevada transgender resource guide and was instrumental in the opening of The Center’s gender-neutral restroom — the first of its kind in the Valley. They were recently recognized by the Office of the Vice President as an LGBT Emerging Leader and by We Happy Trans as one of the top Trans 100 activists in the United States.

Christine Nottage

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Christine joined The Center in December 2012. Her experience in nonprofit management and fundraising dates back to 1998. She is also the Director of Operations for Teachers on Tour, a mobile professional development organization for teachers. Prior to joining The Center, she was a Senior Consultant with The Giving Collaborative serving the needs of local and national nonprofits. Christine was also a Program Manager / Account Executive at IDC Fundraising, a division of Harris Connect, managing numerous fundraising campaigns. Prior to moving to Las Vegas in 2005, Christine was living in Cleveland, Ohio and was with Recovery Resources, a behavioral health services organization in their development department and Case Western Reserve University managing executive education programs. Christine has a Masters in Nonprofit Organization Management from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Kent State University. Along with her husband, Christine’s other interests include participating in Downtown Project activities, scuba diving, cooking, photography or enjoying a quiet night at home with their two cats, Stella and Finn.

Joshua Montgomery

HIV PREVENTION DIRECTOR /
VEGAS MPOWERMENT COORDINATOR

Joshua Montgomery is a native San Diegan. Since getting clean and sober on July 14, 1997, Joshua has been active in various recovery programs and service work to help those who struggle with addiction. He began his academic studies in 1998 at San Diego Community College with his focus on becoming a counselor. Joshua moved to Las Vegas in June 2003 and a couple of months later he began working for The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada. Joshua ran the youth group, coordinated the Vegas Mpowerment Project and counseled those who needed support during the day. He continued his education attending various conferences around the country dealing with HIV/AIDS. In his spare time, Joshua pursued one of his passions in life and became Mr. Las Vegas 2006. He later competed for International Mr. Leather in Chicago. Joshua left the Center in 2007 and continued his education at UNLV working on his degree in Social Work. Joshua returned to The Center December 1, 2009 as the HIV Prevention Coordinator and was promoted to HIV Prevention Director in 2012. Joshua continues his social work course studies (part-time) at UNLV.

Cameron Catton

YOUTH SERVICES MANAGER

Cameron joined The Center's team in March of 2012, after working as a teacher for six years in the public education system. Prior to becoming a member of the staff, Cameron volunteered as co-facilitator of The Center's QVolution youth programs, and for Vegas Mpowerment Project's community events. Cameron has held leadership positions in youth activities for nearly thirteen years. Continuing a passion for the well-being and support of LGBTQ youth, Cameron is a member of the Board of Directors for GLSEN Southern Nevada. Cameron holds both a Bachelor of Music and Education from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and Oakland University in Michigan, respectively, and is a life-long learner. Cameron has lived in Nevada with domestic partner Phil for six years, and has enjoyed seeing the revitalization of downtown Las Vegas. Outside of work, Cameron is a major sci-fi fan and enjoys playing with the couple's two Brussels Griffons, Edgar and Chloe.

Arlene Cooper

OFFICE MANAGER /
VOLUNTEER SERVICES COORDINATOR

Arlene, a native of Tennessee, moved to Las Vegas in 1992 with her son, Ryan. She first became involved in the LGBTQ community in 1984 in Los Angeles. After spending 21 years in hotel management, Arlene became involved in the HIV/AIDS community with ReachOut, a daycare center for children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, Golden Rainbow, and Saint Therese Center. Arlene joined the Board of Directors at The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada in 2005, and the staff in 2008. Arlene became a licensed foster parent to a 10 year old HIV-positive boy in Las Vegas. She volunteers for many organizations including Special Olympics, Democratic Headquarters, Imperial Royal Sovereign Court of the Desert Empire, Inc., National Gay Rodeo Association, Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, PRIDE, and others.

Kevin Hall

FINANCE MANAGER

Kevin joined The Center staff in January 2011 after volunteering as Bookkeeper for thirteen years. He is a founding member of the Nevada Gay Rodeo Association and served on their board for four years. Kevin was Controller for a local audio equipment rental and sales company for over thirty years. Kevin has been a long standing supporter and volunteer of The Center since its founding. He is a long time resident of Las Vegas and lives with his partner, Chuck, and their dogs, Jake and Monte.

Cory Burgess

BUILDING FACILITIES MANAGER

Cory, a native of Tennessee, spent time living in Seattle and on Maui before moving to Las Vegas in 2004. He joined the staff of Las Vegas Bugle as graphic designer just prior to its transition into QVegas magazine early that year and moved up the ranks to become Editor/Creative Director. In 2007, Cory began a longstanding relationship with The Center as freelance webmaster and designer of print materials such as the annual Honorarium program. At the end of 2010, he left Nevada and moved back to the South to care for an ailing parent but was offered an opportunity to return in 2013 to the full-time position of Building Facilities Manager at The Center's new home. Cory and his partner, Carlo, live in the nearby Huntridge neighborhood and are thrilled to be back in Las Vegas.