The JDRF Southern Nevada Chapter is thrilled to announce Chuck and Claire Bowling as the 2018 Hope Gala Honorees.

Chuck and Claire Bowling are proud to have called Las Vegas home for the last 20 years. The road getting to Las Vegas was quite a wild ride for the pair. They both grew up and met in Atlanta, were high school sweethearts and have been on the move together ever since, following the gypsy hotel life.

Claire is a graduate of the University of Georgia and was an accomplished wholesale fashion representative with major brands such as Tomboy, Mexx, California Ivy and IYA. Once they started the hotel moves around the country, she became a loving mom and the COO of their home life, in charge of all the logistics it takes to move and set up a family in different cities. She always made certain she took the time to engage and give back to any city they called home. That has certainly been the case here in Las Vegas as she has been active with the Nevada Cancer Institute, Assistance League of Las Vegas , Young Life and Young Lives, Canyon Ridge Christian Church and of course, JDRF.

Chuck is a graduate of Georgia State University. During his college years, he started his hotel career as a front desk and reservation clerk and bellman at the Omni International hotel. He opened the Stouffer Waverly Hotel In Atlanta as market research coordinator and eventually Director of Sales. He spent the next 10 years in senior sales and marketing positions with Westin Hotels in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Palm Desert and San Francisco. He joined MGM Grand as their Vice President of Sales in 1998 and has served in several senior sales and operations positions with MGM Resorts International. Today Chuck is the President and COO of Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. He has served on several industry boards including US Travel Association, Meeting Professionals International, Nevada Commission on Tourism and is currently the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Giving back is equally important to Chuck and he also has been active with the Nevada Cancer Institute, Three Square Food Bank, Canyon Ridge Christian Church, JDRF, and serves as the executive sponsor for the Working Parents Network group at MGM Resorts.

Claire and Chuck are blessed by having two great sets of parental influences — Skip & Linda Bowling and Joanna & Arthur Griffith. They have been tremendous role models, setting the example for how to be great life partners as well as instilling the importance of a strong work ethic and giving back to the community. Along their journey Claire and Chuck were fortunate to have two great children whose character, demeanor and work ethic gives them great confidence in our future. Michael is a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago and Jessica is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

Since moving to Las Vegas, Claire and Chuck have always been impressed with what a big town we have become but what a small town we remain. They both see Las Vegas as a town where everyone comes together for a common cause. Whether it is bringing in new business, feeding our hungry or overcoming heart-breaking tragedies, we have always come together to accomplish what most people say can’t be done.

For years, the Southern Nevada Chapter of JDRF has been the shining example of what coming together to fight a debilitating and deadly disease looks like. Claire and Chuck are incredibly proud to be a part of the JDRF community.

It is with your help on May 11th that we can really make a difference. Thank you for your support and generosity.

Please join the JDRF Southern Nevada Chapter in honoring Chuck and Claire Bowling and join us at the 2018 Hope Gala on Friday, May 11, 2018.

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