Vince Lombardi

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Vince Lombardi

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

June 9, 2020

Personal

Birthplace

Salt Lake City, Utah

Profession

Scientist

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Vince Lombardi ran for election to the Nevada Board of Regents to represent District 10. He lost in the primary on June 9, 2020.

Lombardi completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Vince Lombardi was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He earned an undergraduate degree from Sierra Nevada University in 1995. He attended Temple University and the University of Nevada, Reno for graduate study and earned a degree in 2006. Lombardi's career experience includes working as a biochemist, self-employed investment banker, securities trader, and as a broker. He has been certified to work with pathogens in a Biosafety Level 3 Facility. Lombardi has been affiliated with the Current Alzheimer Research journal editorial board, with the Journal of Translational Medicine as an associate editor, and he has served as a member with the International Cytokine & Interferon Society and the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies.

Elections

2020

See also: Nevada State Board of Regents election, 2020

General election

General election for Nevada Board of Regents District 10

Joseph Arrascada defeated Kevin Melcher in the general election for Nevada Board of Regents District 10 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joseph Arrascada (Nonpartisan)	53.5	52,236
	Submit photo	Kevin Melcher (Nonpartisan)	46.5	45,363

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 97,599
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Nevada Board of Regents District 10

Kevin Melcher and Joseph Arrascada defeated Vince Lombardi, Andrew Diss, and John McKendricks in the primary for Nevada Board of Regents District 10 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Kevin Melcher (Nonpartisan)	28.4	13,410
✔		Joseph Arrascada (Nonpartisan)	21.9	10,345
		Vince Lombardi (Nonpartisan)	20.9	9,877
	Submit photo	Andrew Diss (Nonpartisan)	17.3	8,201
	Submit photo	John McKendricks (Nonpartisan)	11.5	5,449

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 47,282
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Vince Lombardi completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lombardi's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm Vince Lombardi, an Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. I have lived in Northern Nevada for 30 years and I'm running for the Nevada Board of Regents.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• The Nevada System of Higher Education is financial investment in our future, not a financial burdon.
• The job of a Regent is to be a servant leader, not by dictating obstacles but by removing them.
• It is critical for the NSHE's management to have an ongoing effective dialogue with its facility, staff and community.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The Nevada System of Higher Education is akin to a large corporation that produces Nevada's most important commodity. That commodity is a well-rounded and highly skilled individual, such as our doctors; our business executives; our engineers; our entrepreneurs; our teachers, and our scientist. These individuals represent Nevada's future, and, for this reason, we need to view the NSHE as a financial investment in our future and not as a financial burden. As with all business investments, the judicious use of its capital and resources can produce a significant return on our investment. If done properly, this can be achieved. The recent COVID-19 pandemic emphasizes the importance of diversifying our economy and this can be done by leveraging our intellectual resources. As Regent, I will promote this agenda.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The Nevada Board of Regents is the oversight arm of the Nevada System of Higher Education. It allows the NSHE system to enjoy a level of independence and not overly influenced by the broader state political system. This is particularly given that different political parties see the educational system differently.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My high school biology teacher, Dr. Heber Hall, is the person I have looked up to the most in my life and the reason why I was the first person in my family to attend college. As for a role model, I most admire Theodore Roosevelt, not because he was the President but because of his, morality, his character and his tenacity to overcome adversity.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Yes, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

In my opinion, integrity, honesty, intelligence, leadership, patience, and respect are the most important characteristics in an elected official. It is also important to always keep an open mind and listen to the views of others.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

As a person. I think my most important quality is that I care about others and I'm always willing to go out of my way to help people. As a scientist and a businessman, I think my best quality is that I'm a creative and divergent thinker.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To provide oversight, leadership, and direction to the NSHE system, in a manner that is consistent with their vision and in line with the core values of our community.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like my legacy to be that of perseverance. I want to set the example that no matter how hard life is you can always succeed, and you can do so in a way that you make the world a better place.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event that happened in my lifetime was the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. Although I was only four and a half years old at the time I remember it vividly.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was when I was 16 years old working in a printing business. I worked there until I graduated High School and then left to enter the Financial sector.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! (Adventures of a Curious Character) by Richard Feynman. This book is a personal account of one of our greatest scientists, from a very human perspective. I would highly recommend it to anybody.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard, from the TV series "Star Trek: The Next Generation"

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Just Breathe by Pearl Jam

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have had many struggles in my life. Perhaps the most difficult was to watch my mother dies of Alzheimer's disease. This is one of the reasons I'm passionate about medical research.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

The most important responsibility of the Board of Regents is to ensure that the University's mission and vision are realized in a manner that aligns with our communities' core values.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Although most people may think of the Board of Regents and a body that provides fiscal oversight to the NSHE and makes operational policies, perhaps the Board's most important role is in the development, review, and recommendation of academic programs. It is for this reason that, as an Associate Professor in the School of Medicine, I am uniquely situated to fill this role.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Not necessarily. Although the Board of Regents is an elected political position, those who serve should not do so for political reasons or aspirations. The Board is similar to an Executive Board of a corporation and their responsibility is to ensure the success of the NSHE members.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Key skillsets that are important to be a successful Regent are financial experience, business experience, academic experience, and strong critical-thinking and people skills. These are all skills I possess and why I believe I'm well-suited for the role of Regent.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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