The Guinn Center, a nonpartisan research and policy center, which joined the University of Nevada, Reno in July 2021, recently announced that it has named Dr. Dana Bennett as its interim executive director. Bennett succeeds Dale Erquiaga, who was named acting chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education by the Nevada Board of Regents.

“Dr. Bennett has the academic and policy background we need to lead the Guinn Center as it grows and expands its reach through the affiliation with the University of Nevada, Reno,” University Provost Jeff Thompson said. “She is very familiar with our institution and has long been a leader in Nevada policy development.”

“The Guinn Center is pleased to have the support of Dr. Bennett during this period of transition,” Guinn Center Board Chair Phil Satre said. “Dana has lived in all parts of Nevada – north, south, urban and rural – and represents our commitment to nonpartisan, evidence-based policy that positively impacts the lives of all Nevadans.”

A lifelong Nevadan, Bennett is the former president of the Nevada Mining Association, former regional director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and a senior researcher with former Governor Brian Sandoval. Bennett also worked as a policy analyst with the Morrison Institute for Public Policy in Phoenix, Arizona, and as a principal research analyst with the Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau. She holds a Ph.D. in history from Arizona State University.

Provost Thompson said the search for a new executive director will begin in July 2022. Bennett will not be an applicant.

The Guinn Center works closely with practitioners statewide to provide relevant analysis, inform policy development and identify actionable solutions. The Guinn Center has published more than 60 policy reports on topics related to taxation, fiscal management, education, health care, social concerns, economic development, workforce development, governance, climate and energy. The Center works statewide with staff in Las Vegas and a principal office on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno.