Leadership and Morale
As I sat in retirement, complacently musing about nothing in particular, something on the TV caught my attention: a live press conference regarding the federal criminal case against former Nevada Senate Majority Leader Kelvin Atkinson.
Mr. Atkison had just pled guilty to federal wire fraud and admitted misusing nearly $250,000 in campaign funds.
Nothing to see here, folks, just another corrupt Vegas politician. Also typical was the U.S. Attorney for Nevada, along with his FBI and IRS counterparts, filling the press in on the details.
What stood out – to me – was the public recognition which U.S.A. Nicholas Trutanich gave to the lead prosecutor in the case, who was off-camera.
Dan Schiess has been a stalwart, a workhorse, for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, for almost 30 years. We started together, tried cases together, came up through the ranks together. He is a family man, a decent guy, and an incredibly effective and hard-working attorney. Like most of us, he has had his ups and downs over these three decades, some quite profound.
White Collar Chief Dan Schiess, U.S. Attorney Howard Zlotnick, Criminal Chief Kurt Schulke, Narcotics and Violent Crime Chief Tom O’Connell (yours truly)
The decision of the boss to recognize Dan Schiess’ hard work, in light of Dan’s long-time dedication and accomplishments, bodes well for my alma mater. Morale is clearly on the rise.
It’s all about leadership.
