Davidson named as Knecht’s replacement

Robert Davidson of Incline Village was appointed Tuesday to the Nevada Board of Regents, Gov. Brian Sandoval announced.

Davidson will fill the seat vacated by Nevada Controller Ron Knecht. Part of the district covers all of Churchill County, which is home to the Fallon campus of Western Nevada College.

“Bob Davidson has supported Nevada’s education system for many years through his philanthropic efforts and as a founder of The Davidson Academy of Nevada. He has focused on helping Nevada’s gifted and talented students reach their full potential by providing a unique approach to our public school system,” said Sandoval. “Bob will bring a fresh perspective by pairing his extensive business expertise and deep understanding of Nevada’s students to the Board of Regents. He will be a tremendous asset and I thank him for accepting this responsibility.”

Davidson said he looks forward to serving.

“I am honored to receive this appointment from Gov. Sandoval.” Davidson said. “I would like to thank him for this incredible opportunity and look forward to working with the other regents.”

Davidson is a philanthropist, successful businessman, and lawyer. In 2005, Davidson and his wife, Jan, worked to pass Nevada state legislation to open a new kind of public school for profoundly gifted middle and high school students on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, named The Davidson Academy of Nevada. Since 2005, Davidson Academy has prepared countless Nevada students for success beyond the classroom, and has set a new standard for educational excellence in Nevada.

“Mr. Davidson has made great contributions to education in general, and I very much look forward to the contributions he’ll make ass a regent,” Knecht said.”I hope and expect he will appreciate the extent to which NSHE and the budget processes have shorted our community colleges and that he’ll work as I did to rectify that problem.”