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Meet Your Neighbor: Jackie Evon
By Callie Thomas
If you’ve lived in the Las Vegas area over the last couple of decades, you’ll probably remember a local hot spot called Z’Tejas, where everyone met for after work drinks and south of the border fare with a Texas twist. It was not only the place to mix and mingle but also a place for great hospitality. If you ever paid them a visit, you may have run into Jackie Evon, who began her work in the food and beverage industry as a manager at one of their locations. That experience gave her the opportunity to get a leg up on her career, and she eventually moved on to show off her people skills at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar in Summerlin. That was ten years ago, and Evon is still running the restaurant as Operating Partner and remains happy to say that she loves coming to work each day and interacting with her guests.
It’s most likely that passion for customer service and meeting new people that has inspired Jackie to become involved in community organizations that make a difference. She finds herself drawn to groups that involve kids and programs that give them every opportunity to learn and grow, and she has been able to combine her interests by lending support to a charitable program where industry professionals help mentor young boys and girls seeking to learn more about the food and beverage business. Jackie shows that same enthusiasm for Project Mentor, a program of Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas that fosters career enhancing skills, and her dedicated involvement in other organizations has given her an opportunity to lend a hand by coordinating activities for our youth in need.
Your time at Z’Tejas gave you a great start meeting people in the community.
“I worked there for over five years and really got to know the Las Vegas community and all the great locals that frequented the restaurant.”
Was that the catalyst for getting involved in the Mentor Program with Boys and Girls Club?
“I was first introduced to this fabulous program when we hosted last year’s graduation ceremony for the Project Mentor kids at Fleming’s. I was really affected by their enthusiasm and wanted to think of a way to continue working with the Boys & Girls Clubs in this capacity.”
You give the kids an opportunity to learn from the pros?
“We host several on-site educational tours and lessons. They are introduced to real professions in a career that interests them and invaluable hands on job training in a real restaurant environment. We hope the experience has a positive impact on their individual futures.”
Have you been involved in other children based charities in the community?
“I’ve worked with Par for the Cure and Make a Wish Foundation as I really enjoy getting to work one on one with the children. I’m very passionate about getting involved in different fundraisers and community events. Living in Las Vegas for almost 20 years, I can honestly say I am proud to be a part of such a wonderful community.”
By the way, congratulations on being awarded the Woman of the Year Award by the Boys and Girls Club at the Steak and Burger Event.
“Thanks! It was really a special moment for me this past year, and I have been so grateful to build a relationship with not only the board of governors who dedicate their time to the Boys and Girls Club, but most of all with the children of the community.”
Speaking of children, you’ve just become a new mom?
“Yes, my daughter Blake Sydney is two months old now. My husband and I call her our ‘miracle’ baby! The passion I have for my job and my family gives me the excitement and energy to give it my best and give it my all every day.”
