Danielle A. Kolkoski, Esq.,
BOARD PRESIDENT
Danielle Kolkoski has practiced law in Nevada since 2003, and has served as the Board President of Project REAL since 2015. "I joined Project REAL because my son is growing up in Las Vegas. I can teach him all the laws and consequences I can imagine, but I feel better knowing Project REAL is out there teaching the exact same thing to the students that could be the kids he hangs out with in the future. A parent only has so much influence, so the more I can do to ensure my child has a large selection of wonderful peers to choose from, the safer I know he will be, along with myself and all other residents of Nevada."
Thomas Kovach, Jr.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ACTING SECRETARY & TREASURER
Thomas (Tom) Kovach Jr. is Project REAL's Executive Director and has been helping nonprofits throughout Southern Nevada succeed in their service and fundraising needs for well over a decade. Tom has served on the boards of a number of esteemed organizations including United Way of Southern Nevada, Human Rights Commission, Nevada School of the Arts, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Foundation. When asked about his decision to join Project REAL, Tom explained, "I knew Sam Lionel and Irwin Molasky did amazing things for this town, so when the opportunity came along to help support a project they created together, I was instantly intrigued. As I learned about Project REAL, it was clear this was an organization doing vital work for Nevada, and I wanted to be a part of it. Today, I feel great pride in knowing our work has shaped the lives of nearly 200,000 students in Nevada.”
Samuel S. Lionel Esq.
FOUNDER, BOARD DIRECTOR
Samuel (Sam) S Lionel is an attorney and co-founder of Las Vegas-based Lionel Sawyer & Collins - a law firm focused on gaming. Sam founded the firm in 1967 with former Nevada Governor Grant Sawyer and Jon Collins. It became one of the largest firms in the state, representing major Strip developers and gaming clients before being dissolved in 2015, when Sam then joined the Fennemore Craig law firm. Sam is also a retired Lieutenant Colonel, Judge Advocate General and a member and chairman of the Board of Bar Examiners of Nevada. He also served on the board of trustees of Nathan Adelson Hospice. Mr. Lionel received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2013. In addition to his many great law-related accomplishments, Sam is well known for his philanthropic efforts throughout the state of Nevada.