Nevada commission expects new executive director by April

With email inboxes of boxing commissioners already filling with candidates looking to replace outgoing executive director Keith Kizer, the Nevada State Athletic Commission today set the process by which they’ll hire a new head for the influential regulatory body.

The commission expects a new executive director by April after a selection process that will by completed by March 17, when the commission will publicly interview between three and five candidates. The application deadline for the job is Feb. 10.

At a special meeting held in the Las Vegas, the commission voted to appoint a permanent director rather than open an interim position that would serve in the transition between Kizer and his successor.

The commission’s state overseer, Nevada’s Department of Business & Industry, was tapped to play a key role in evaluating candidates. A five-person subcommittee, which includes two reps from the commission, Business & Industry Director Bruce Breslow, and two industry veterans, will narrow down submissions after the deadline.

The subcommittee will then forward applications to the rest of the five-member commission, who will review them weekly before a final list is made on March 3.

Kizer’s job was posted Thursday on the Nevada state government’s website, a state rep said, and an additional notice was put up on Careerbuilder.com. NSAC chairman Francisco Aguilar asked commissioner’s to promote the position through social media and with news outlets.

Several commissioners agreed, however, that the word is already out in the boxing and MMA industry. Kizer suddenly resigned this past Friday to return to the Nevada attorney general’s office, where he worked prior to succeeding Marc Ratner as the executive director in 2006. His last day on the job is Jan. 27.

Breslow assured commissioners that the state will thoroughly screen candidates, who will be required to undergo an FBI background check.

The position pays $97,901 a year, plus benefits.

While a new candidate is found, Aguilar said the commission will conduct business as usual, with existing staff members picking up slack over the next few months and Aguilar coordinating with other commissioners when issues arise.

A commission rep said the office’s schedule is fairly light over the next few months, with UFC 171 set for Feb. 22 at Mandalay Bay Events Center and Canelo Alvarez set to box Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo on March 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.