Tom Wiesner

Tom Wiesner
Clark County Commission
In office
1970–1978
Preceded byDarwin Lamb
Succeeded byJack Petitti
Nevada Republican National Committeeman
In office
1986–2002
Nevada State Higher Education System Board of Regents
In office
1996–2002
Succeeded byLaura Lopez Hobbs
Personal details
Born(1939-02-28)February 28, 1939
Wausau, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedJune 25, 2002(2002-06-25) (aged 63)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Cause of deathLeukemia
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Lynn Geary
(m. 1965⁠–⁠2002)
Children2
Parent
  • Frank Wiesner (father)
Residence(s)Las Vegas, Nevada
OccupationBusinessman

Thomas N. Wiesner[1] (February 28, 1939 – June 25, 2002), also known by his nickname "Big Dog",[2][3][4] was an American politician and businessman. Wiesner initially played football for the Wisconsin Badgers from 1958 to 1960, before moving to Las Vegas in 1963. Seven years later, at the age of 31, he became the youngest person to be elected to the Clark County Commission. Wiesner served two terms before losing re-election in 1978. Wiesner was also an owner of the Marina Hotel, which later became the MGM Grand resort.

In 1986, Wiesner was elected as Nevada's Republican National Committeeman, a position he held until his death. In 1996, Wiesner was also elected to the Nevada State Higher Education System Board of Regents. Wiesner also founded Big Dog's Hospitality Group, a local chain of restaurant-bar-casino properties. Wiesner was inducted into the Southern Nevada Hall of Sports Fame in 2000, and later died of leukemia in 2002. He was posthumously inducted into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Marriage was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Sendoff was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference nationwide was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference proud was invoked but never defined (see the help page).