Bruce Bommarito, an experienced hospitality industry leader from the top management ranks of hotels, resorts, and casinos across the country, is the new executive director of the Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT), Gov. Kenny Guinn announced Wednesday.

Bommarito, 50, of Carson City, will be responsible for promoting Nevada's No. 1 industry, tourism, worldwide; producing the annual Governor's Conference on Travel & Tourism, and directing the commission's 37-member staff that includes the tourism and publications divisions.

``Bruce Bommarito brings to NCOT an unbeatable combination of strong leadership and management abilities gained over 25 years in the hospitality and casino industry that is Nevada's lifeblood.'' Guinn said. ``He is at home in all aspects of the industry, including marketing, finance, and convention and visitors bureaus.

'' Bommarito was vice president of operations at Caesars Tahoe resort hotel and casino at Stateline, Nev., for the past three years, and currently is serving his second term as chairman of the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association, a major hospitality industry organization.

``Bruce has a widespread knowledge and insight into the economics of Nevada's tourism industry from the ground up, and he will guide our commission's operations as we expand, enhance, and diversify our exciting outdoor adventures and wide variety of cultural and historic attractions, festivals and motorsports events,'' Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, NCOT chair, said.

Bommarito came to Nevada after a stint as general manager of the Native American-owned Blue Water Resort and Casino in Parker, Ariz., where he oversaw the design of the new resort-casino, an experience that provided insight into a gaming industry sector emerging as a major competitor for Nevada's gambling visitors.

``To our great benefit, Bruce understands the operation of Native American casinos, which are challenging Nevada's tourism industry and testing our ability to attract visitors as never before in the state's 137-year history,'' Hunt said.

Nancy Dunn, the former NCOT business manager who has served as NCOT's interim executive director since Tom Tait resigned in January to enter the private sector, will be promoted to deputy director, Hunt said. ``The commission deeply appreciates the fine leadership that Nancy Dunn has provided over the past six months,'' Hunt said. ``Her expertise as a state administrator is of the highest caliber, and we are fortunate to have her continued guidance as deputy director.''

Before moving west, Bommarito was general manager of President Casino/Broadwater Beach Resort in Biloxi, Miss., from 1995-1997 after serving a year as managing director of the 850-room resort, which offered two championship golf courses, five restaurants, a 118-slip marina, 10-court tennis club, 50,000 square-foot conference center, and full service, 38,000 square-foot casino with 1,100 slot machines and 45 table games.

He has been licensed by gaming regulatory commissions in Nevada, Arizona, and Mississippi, where he served on the watchdog Gulf Coast Crime Commission, Casino Operators Association Board of Directors, and as president of the Gulf Coast Hotel-Motel Association. He was vice president of operations from 1989-1994 at First Sun General Management, Columbia, S.C., with operational responsibility for eight full- and limited-service all-suite and historic hotels in resort areas.

Earlier, he managed other hotels and convention centers in Columbia, as well as Charlotte, N.C., Lansing and Livonia, Mich., Lexington, Ky., Nashville, Tenn., and Denver. His career began in 1973 in his native Detroit at Detroit Metropolitan Airport where he directed food and beverage operations for 20 restaurants and lounges that served 20 million travelers a year.

Bommarito earned a bachelor's degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management at the Michigan State University College of Business and completed the Executive Development Program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and University of Nevada Reno. He is a certified hotel administrator and taught hotel administration at the University of South Carolina School of Hotel Management.

He also is a member of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, the world's oldest gourmet association.