As owner of the city’s leading commercial HVAC firm, LMS Building Systems, for over 50 years, the Rancho High School graduate also obtained his MBA at UNLV, taught economics for 18 years at UNLV, is a Registered Professional Engineer in Nevada and past president of Better Business Bureau of Southern Nevada.
Clearly, Lawyer holds Las Vegas close to his heart, and his community involvement spans a wide breadth, from being a board member of YMCA of Southern Nevada, to volunteering for the Junior League of Las Vegas Bear Project, to being an associate member of the UNLV Foundation. However, Tom Lawyer is most recognized for his leadership in driving education and cultural vitality through the arts. Lawyer has been on the board for the Las Vegas Art Museum, with its mission to engage visitors in the international culture of contemporary art.
“The cultural aspects of Las Vegas are particularly interesting from the viewpoint of those that live here, as well as people around the world,” says Lawyer. “The hotels and casinos have recognized the benefit of having a cultural element to their environment and have added art galleries, museum displays in their facilities – with mixed success. In the end it is really up to us that live in Las Vegas to provide cultural opportunities.”
Despite the closing of the Las Vegas Art Museum, Lawyer is still an active member of the Las Vegas Art Museum Board of Directors and President of the Las Vegas Art Museum Foundation and continues to work to promote fine arts in Southern Nevada.
As past president of the Las Vegas Clark County Library District (LVCCLD) Foundation, Lawyer and fellow board members aim to improve literacy programs, provided workforce enhancements, cultural programs, theatrical productions and community events.
Active in the scholarship program with West Las Vegas Library and the LVCCLD Foundation, Lawyer and his wife have been instrumental in identifying and developing college sponsorships for exceptional students that want to continue their education after high school.
He is also a benefactor donor of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, the city’s new cultural complex that will enable Southern Nevada to celebrate artistic excellence, education and culture from around the world. “The Smith Center represents a large move forward in the arts community and is working hard to have a broad appeal in our community,” says Lawyer. “Being an active volunteer and donor for non-profit organizations allows me to continually be involved and fulfill my passion for cultural activities, especially in a city that is still developing its cultural arts community.”
Tom Lawyer is married, and has two daughters. He enjoys traveling, reading the arts and community activities.