Best Leaders to Know in Northern Nevada
Best in Business winners — 2020–2021
Readers of Northern Nevada Business Weekly have voted annually on Best Leaders to Know in Northern Nevada, NV. This page shows contest winners from 2020 to 2021.
Business information was accurate at the time of voting and may have changed. Businesses move, close, or update their contact details over time.
2021 Winners
First Place
Karen Purcell, P.E., President, PK Electrical, Inc.
Karen Purcell, P.E., is the founder, owner and president of PK Electrical, Inc., an electrical engineering, design, and consulting firm with offices in Reno, NV, and Denver, CO. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Widener University in Pennsylvania. In 2015, Ms. Purcell was appointed by Governor Sandoval to the Nevada State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and continues to serve as a board member.
Karen authored a book titled, “Unlocking Your Brilliance: Smart Strategies for Women to Thrive in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.” She draws on her successful experiences and overcoming challenges of working in a male-dominated field to inspire young women to enter and remain in science,
technology, engineering and math-related careers with unshakable confidence. Ms. Purcell has shared her message with audiences across the United States and China.
Karen received the 2012 Reno Gazette Journal’s Entrepreneur of the Year award for a medium-sized company. The annual award celebrates individuals and companies that have significantly enhanced the growth and prestige of the community in Northern Nevada. In 2021, PK Electrical was recognized as a Best Place to Work under Karen’s leadership.
Ms. Purcell currently serves as Treasurer of the Nevada Women’s Fund and was the Event Chair for the 2016 Salute to Women of Achievement. Karen is also a board member for the JUSTin Hope Foundation, working on building a community of support and engagement for families and individuals with disabilities.
Second Place
Marilyn D. York, Exclusive Family Law Attorney & Owner, Attorney Marilyn D. York, Inc.
Marilyn D. York, Esq., a Certified Family Law Specialist, started her firm in 2001 which today is the largest exclusive family law firm in Northern Nevada, and the only Men’s Rights firm in the state.
Marilyn chose her career because of her passion for family unity, children, and relationships. She focuses on representing men because they are crucial to the upbringing of children and yet they are disadvantaged, disfavored, and under-represented in family court. In addition to supporting clients during divorce, the family law firm also offers legal services to clients needing help with child custody and visitation, child and spousal support matters, asset and debt division, guardianships of children and more.
Marilyn inspires many through her work as a business leader, successful attorney, mentor to at-risk and homeless women and more. She has been recognized in a variety of ways for her professional accomplishments, named “Best Attorney” in Reno numerous times, a Northern Nevada “Woman of Influence” in 2021, and has also been recognized for her deep commitment to serving her local community. Her 2020 TedX talk about the value of a father in a child’s life has earned millions of views on YouTube. She is regularly in the media discussing family law and men’s rights issues is well-known for her honest, yet humorous TV commercials.
Third Place
Rod Jorgensen, Senior Business Development Advisor, Nevada Small Business Development Center
Rod Jorgensen’s 31-year career at the Nevada Small Business Development Center has been marked by triumph, connection, and commitment. Developing personal relationships with thousands of small businesses over that time, Rod’s name has become synonymous with business success in Northern Nevada. Rod attributes his success to
After a brief career in banking, Rod Jorgensen found his calling in assisting small business owners achieve their dreams. Over his 31-year career at the Nevada Small Business Development Center, Rod has helped thousands of small businesses open their doors in Northern Nevada - developing unique, personal relationships with each while maintaining his commitment to all newcomers. His greatest joy, however, comes from the impact he has made on the education of UNR graduates. Rod has shaped Nevada’s business landscape for over 30 years, and his enduring legacy will continue to influence generations to come.
2020 Winners
First Place
Clara Andriola
As the executive director of the Reno Rodeo Foundation, Clara does meaningful work to help kids with extraordinary needs. She is active in the community and uses her time and expertise to empower other women to achieve their ambitions. She is someone who inspires, supports and lifts up others with integrity and purpose, making a true impact in our community.
Second Place
Diaz Dixon
Before joining the nonoprofit Eddy House as CEO in fall 2019, Diaz Dixon served as CEO for STEP2 in Reno for 14 years and was instrumental in building the multi-million-dollar campus. Before STEP2, he was on the National Advisory Committee for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as the Treasurer of Nevada Academic Appointment Diversity and Publicity Taskforce (AADAPT) and consulted for the Cultural Competency and Diversity Network in Washington, D.C., under President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative. Apart from his community service work, Dixon also previously worked as Assistant Athletic Director for the University of Nevada, Reno.
Third Place
Rick Thomas, Nevada State Bank
As executive vice president and northern Nevada executive, Rick Thomas leads Nevada State Bank’s banking efforts in northern Nevada. He is the bank’s top executive in the region and is a member of the Executive Management Committee. A seasoned banking professional with 30 years of experience, Thomas oversees the northern Nevada corporate and small business relationship managers.
Over his career, Thomas has worked with clients in many different corporate sectors, with special emphasis on gaming loans. His experience includes commercial finance, corporate banking and treasury management for businesses, and wealth management for individuals.
Active in the business community, Thomas is a board member of WIN (Western Industrial Nevada). He earned a bachelor’s degree in managerial sciences and finance from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Thomas has been a resident of northern Nevada for more than 32 years, and whenever possible he takes advantage of its world-famous outdoor lifestyle, including camping, hiking, fishing and motorcycle riding. He also enjoys traveling to other parts of the world.