Donald Snyder has deep ties to Southern Nevada. An executive with senior leadership experience in both the commercial banking and gaming industries, Snyder also served as Dean of UNLV’s Harrah College of Hospitality and President of UNLV. He continues to serve as a volunteer to UNLV.
Snyder was born in South Dakota and grew up in humble surroundings, first in South Dakota and then Wyoming. Following his graduation from the University of Wyoming in 1969, Snyder began a successful banking career, continuing involvement with the industry today. During 22 years with First Interstate Bank (now Wells Fargo), he rose from a management trainee in California to serve as Chairman of the Board & CEO of First Interstate Bank of Nevada from 1987 to 1991. He held leadership positions in retail and corporate banking, international banking, real estate banking, and served on the Board of Directors of several First Interstate subsidiaries during his later years with First Interstate.
Subsequent to leaving First Interstate Bank, Snyder co-founded Bank of Nevada (originally called BankWest of Nevada). From its initial $8 million in assets, the Bank has grown into a multi-state banking organization, with the parent holding company, Western Alliance Bancorporation, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with assets now of more than $60 billion. While never serving in a management capacity, he has been an active member of the Board of Directors for both Bank of Nevada (where he served as Chairman for many years) and Western Alliance Bancorporation.
Snyder’s move to the gaming industry started in 1992 when asked by downtown Las Vegas casino owners to lead the efforts to develop what became the Fremont Street Experience. He served as Chairman, President & CEO until July 1996, and continued as non-executive Chairman of the Board until 2006.
Following the successful opening and initial operation of the Fremont Street Experience, Snyder joined Boyd Gaming Corporation in 1996. He became a member of Boyd Gaming’s Board of Directors in April 1996, Executive Vice President three months later, and President in January 1997 – a position he held until his retirement in 2005.
His retirement from Boyd Gaming was planned to coincide with efforts to move forward with the funding and development of what became The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Having been involved in the earliest efforts (starting in 1994) to develop a world class performing arts center, Snyder became Chairman of the Board in 1999, a position he continues to hold. While always serving in a non-paid capacity, he effectively teamed with Myron Martin (who become President & CEO during construction) to provide the leadership that made The S m i t h C enter a reality.
Years before becoming an administrator at UNLV, Snyder had a long history of active volunteer engagement with the university. He became a member of the Board of Trustees for the UNLV Foundation in 1988, served five years as Chairman of its Board, and served as Chairman of the f i rst and only comprehensive capital campaign which concluded in 2009.
For his work supporting UNLV, Snyder was awarded the President’s Medal in 2000, an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree in 2001, and was named (by the NSHE Board of Regents) a Distinguished Nevadan in 2003. The UNLV Lee Business School also inducted him into the Nevada Business Hall of Fame in 2011 for his leadership. In recognition of their significant philanthropic gifts to UNLV, Snyder and his wife Dee were inducted into UNLV’s Palladium Society in 2009. The Clark County School District also recognized the couple’s ongoing contributions to advance education when it opened the Don and Dee Snyder Elementary School in January 2018.
Snyder has been actively involved in numerous other businesses, charitable and civic activities in Nevada over his more than 35 years in Nevada. He currently serves on boards for two New York Stock Exchange Companies: Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE: WAL) and Switch, Inc. (NYSE: SWCH). In total, he has served on the Boards of seven publicly traded companies and numerous private companies.
Additionally, Snyder has served on numerous non-profit boards over his time in Nevada. He presently serves on the boards of the Guinn Center for Policy Priorities (past Chairman), The Smith Center (Chairman), the UNLV Foundation (past Chairman), the UNLV Research Foundation, United Way of Southern Nevada (current and past Chairman) and The Public Education Foundation. His past board service includes the Nathan Adelson Hospice (past Chairman), the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, Nevada Resort Association, American Gaming Association, Nevada Development Authority (past Chairman), Council for a Better Nevada (past Chairman), the Regional Transportation Commission Advisory Committee (Chairman), and Tournament Players Club at Summerlin. He has also served on several legislative commissions, including Chairing the Governor’s Commission on Medical Education, Research and Training in 2006. For his service to the community and philanthropy, Snyder was named 2013 Philanthropist of the Year by Governor Brian Sandoval.
Snyder is a cum laude graduate of the University of Wyoming (1969), with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Snyder and his wife, Dee, have been married for 51 years, and have three children and four grandchildren. Don has also recently completed an autobiography, “Taking the Lead”, with co-author Jack Sheehan.