The Nevada Board of Regents today re-elected James Dean Leavitt as chairman and Jason Geddes as vice chairman of the 13-member higher education governing body.
Regents Leavitt and Geddes will begin their second one-year terms July 1.
James Dean Leavitt
James Dean Leavitt was elected in 2004, representing District 13 which encompasses a large area of Clark County stretching from Mount Charleston to Laughlin, with portions of southwest and southeast Las Vegas.
In addition to owning and operating the Law Office of James Dean Leavitt, he was an instructor at UNLV in the Greenspun School of Communications from 1993 to 1998. Additionally, he founded Express Yourself Seminars, a one-day public speaking workshop.
Leavitt’s law practice is limited almost exclusively to criminal defense. He has a special interest in juvenile cases where counseling and representation are intertwined.
He earned a B.A. in speech communication rhetoric from Brigham Young University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho.
Leavitt and his wife Debbie together raise their three children.
Jason Geddes
Jason Geddes was appointed by Gov. Kenny Guinn to serve on the Board of Regents in 2006 as the representative for Washoe County, District 11 and was elected to the office in November 2008.
Geddes was born in Winnemucca, Nevada but spent his formative years in Gabbs. He attended Traner Middle School and Sparks High School. Through scholarships and a full-time job, he attended the University of Nevada, Reno where he became involved with student government and public service. While pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, he worked full time and served as the ASUN agriculture senator, student body vice president, student body president and University of Nevada System Student Legislative Spokesman.
He was elected to serve in the Nevada State Assembly in 2002 and while serving was an active
member of the Education, Judiciary, and Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining committees.
Geddes earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nevada, Reno in biochemistry with minors in biology and chemistry. He also earned a Ph.D. from UNR in environmental sciences and health (environmental chemistry option).
Geddes and Cindie (his wife of 23 years), are enjoying the adventures brought by the ever-changing experiences of their nine-year-old son, Joe.
