About Us
Our History
Since our founding in 1991, we have successfully worked across four decades using a cross-generational approach in the programs and consulting we provide. We have partnered with over 200 clients across the United States and with corporate clients with offices throughout the world. Our breadth of experience makes the Institute for Executive Development distinctly qualified to deliver a full spectrum of Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, and Strategic Planning services needed by 21st century leaders. We respect and value what we’ve learned from employees, and we know their insights and perspectives are more critical to leadership success than at any time in the history of organizations. However, it’s how that information is gathered, organized, and presented that makes the difference.
Our offices are in Las Vegas, Nevada, where our Chavez family roots go back nearly a century. As a recognized “founding family of Las Vegas,” we were raised to respect traditions, core values and diversity, and to embrace change which has been a foundation of our community. These values and traditions inform our team and our processes, positioning IED as a leader in our field.
Our Team
Dr. Rick Culley
President, Institute for Executive Development
Rick has extensive experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, working with a diverse group of clients such as the Aria Hotel & Resort, AT&T, Bellagio, BlueShield of California, Booz-Allen Hamilton, Citibank, City of Las Vegas, Clark County Nevada, City of Henderson Police Department, the FBI, Fertitta Entertainment / Station Casinos, Hitachi, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, LAPD, MGM Resorts International, Merrill Lynch, Peat Marwick, Quicklogic, the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Culture Heritage, Smith Center for Performing Arts, University of California, Berkley, UNLV, the U.S. Postal Service, and Wynn Resorts.
Prior to starting IED, Rick was Director of Executive Management Development at the New York Stock Exchange. Previously, he worked at the World Trade Center for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey as the Executive Development Administrator.
As an Adjunct Professor at the Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California (USC), Rick teaches Leadership in the Executive Program (EML), as well as a graduate course in Strategic Planning. He has lectured at Columbia University and the New School for Social Research. Rick was an Adjunct Associate Professor at New York University for eight years teaching courses in Leadership, Policy, and Administration. He was the recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award.
Rick Culley was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada where he currently lives with his wife, Laura, the Associate Dean for Community Engagement at the UNLV School of Medicine. Over the years Rick has been active in the Las Vegas Community volunteering with and supporting a wide range of organizations including the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Leadership Las Vegas Program and the Paul E. Culley Elementary School. Rick and Laura have three sons: Paul, Luke, and Alex.
Rick received a master’s and a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Policy Analysis from the University of Southern California. His undergraduate degree is in Political Science / Business Administration from California State University, Long Beach.
Alex Culley
Executive Director, Institute for Executive Development
At 30, Alex is one of the youngest certified Executive Coaches and Leadership consultants in the country. He is certified in Stakeholder Centered Coaching®, the top ranked coaching methodology pioneered by the # 1 executive coach Marshall Goldsmith. Jim Kouzes, one of the most authoritative voices on leadership, describes Alex as “thoughtful and diligent, combining creative problem-solving, rapid-response agility, and adept use of technology to enhance leadership development experiences.”
From a young age, Alex recognized a natural connection to people and a strong desire to help others. He graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a degree in psychology and received a master’s degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Southern California. Following graduation, Alex worked as a consumer insights researcher, before transitioning to Leadership and Organizational Development consulting. He returned to Las Vegas in the summer of 2017 and began working for the Institute for Executive Development as Director, consulting for clients in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. As the COVID-19 pandemic forced events online, Alex led the major transformation of IED, core programs and services into interactive virtual experiences. Working with multi-generational clients across sectors and industries, Alex developed innovative, human-centered events, empowering people with varying levels of digital skill to engage and benefit from computer-based training.
Alex is active in the Las Vegas and UNLV communities. He served as President of the UNLV College of Liberal Arts Alumni chapter and as a Director on the UNLV Alumni Association Board from 2018-2021. Alex regularly mentors high school students, college students, and recent University graduates in the areas of career counseling, goal setting, and personal development. He lives in Las Vegas with his wife Katie, who was his high school sweetheart, and their Pomeranian named Butters.
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