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Meet Your Neighbor: Terry Murphy
By Callie Thomas
There’s an old Irish saying that, “You never plow a field by turning it over in your mind.” Resident Terry Murphy is definitely an action girl. With a Masters Degree in Sociology, the study of how people function in groups (which can be as small as a family unit or as large as society as a whole), she began working in Government Affairs for the Southern Nevada Homebuilders Association back in 1989. That was at the height of the desert tortoise predicament. The species was listed as endangered and efforts to protect it threatened to bring development and other economic activities to a standstill. Murphy was instrumental in forging a compromise among parties and helped to establish conservation mechanisms that allowed development to continue. Years later, she lent her expertise to the Clark County government before starting her own business, which focuses on helping private companies communicate with local governments. In addition to her consulting business, she’s currently the Honorary Consul to Ireland for the State of Nevada.
Murphy also shares her gifts to the community in other ways. As President of the Downtown Las Vegas Alliance she’s helped to establish growth in the downtown area. As a Community Advisory Board member of The Smith Center, she’s been a part of launching and executing the project to fruition and, in effect, making the arts accessible to everyone. Murphy is also a big champion of Casa De Luz, an organization that serves children and families living in a challenged neighborhood downtown and The Center, which provides counseling services to the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Questioning) community. Terry Murphy discusses the growth of Downtown Las Vegas, her support of community organizations and what it’s like to be Honorary Consul to Ireland.
How did you get involved in the Downtown Las Vegas Alliance?
“I’ve worked in downtown on and off since 1991. I’ve always been an advocate of redeveloping downtown and have participated in lots of projects over the years that have come to fruition. I love watching the growing sense of community downtown and seeing people’s surprise at what’s going on here after not visiting the area for a while.”
How has the Downtown Las Vegas Alliance helped the city?
“It’s growing exponentially and is at the tipping point toward becoming an influential public policy voice for business downtown, as well as a resource for some of the other organizations like the 18B Las Vegas Arts District.”
Tell us about your involvement with the other community groups.
“I enjoy being on the Advisory Board of the Smith Center. The arts were a large part of my growing up in New York and it was a missing ingredient here for a long time. It’s like a “coming of age” for Las Vegas. Casa De Luz is a community based in love, and the organization is literally changing lives. The Center is dear to my heart primarily because I’m a firm believer in and advocate for human rights. The Center provides a place for youth who may have nowhere else to turn.”
What’s it like being Honorary Consul to Ireland?
“I assist Irish citizens when they have issues here in Nevada, whether it’s a lost passport, severe illness or sadly, the death of a loved one. I also help promote the Republic of Ireland as a tourist destination. It’s probably the greatest honor in my entire life.”
What does giving back mean to you?
“I believe we are all given certain gifts or talents and our lives aren’t complete without sharing them. At least mine wouldn’t be.”
What are you most proud to have achieved?
“First and foremost would be my daughter who is a happy, healthy adult. Beyond that, everything else is icing on the cake.”
What do you think makes you successful?
“I don’t think about being successful. I think about getting things done. And I very much enjoy the journey.”
