Keystone Corporation is sad to announce the passing of member and former president of the Nevada Taypayers Association, Carole Vilardo. Ms. Vilardo passed away Sunday morning, December 5. She was 80 years old. In a letter sent to Keystone Corporation by the current president of the NTA, Cindy Creighton wrote the following:
December 5, 2021 – With great sorrow and a heavy heart, the Nevada Taxpayers Association shares the news of the passing of our cherished retired President Carole Vilardo this morning in Las Vegas at the age of 80. Anyone who knew Carole found her larger than life, her remarkable passion and talent had an enormous impact on taxation, spending, and regulatory issues impacting business.
Carole has been affiliated with the Nevada Taxpayers Association since 1986. “We are extremely grateful for the many contributions Carole Vilardo made to the NTA over her 30-plus year career,” expressed NTA Board Chairman Thom Sheets. “She genuinely cared for Nevada and the NTA experienced that first-hand beginning in 1986 when she was hired to oversee the new Southern Nevada office and lobby the Legislature. In 1988 she was named Acting Executive Director. In 1989 she was promoted to President, a position she held until her retirement in 2016.” Sheets noted, “Her commitment to the NTA extended into retirement with Emeritus status on the Board of Directors.”
Always impeccably dressed and perfectly coifed, Carole was prominent in the legislative building and local government chambers with her signature hats. She was a former two-term chairwoman of the National Taxpayers Conference. She served on numerous state and local government committees addressing issues diverse as water funding, education, debt management, transportation funding, K-12 priorities and funding, and health care delivery. Carole served as a public member on two legislative interim studies of Nevada’s tax system; and as a Nevada Governor appointee on both the SAGE Commission and the SAGE Blue-Ribbon Implementation Panel.
A taxpayer advocate icon, Ms. Vilardo received many awards for her life’s work including the Free Enterprise Award presented by the Employers Association of Southern Nevada/Vegas Chamber/Kiwanis Club of Uptown Las Vegas, a Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Nevada Newsmakers Outreach Foundation, the SIR Award presented by Associated General Contractors Nevada Chapter, the Clark County School District Crystal Apple Award for exemplary civic leadership, and the Tax Foundation’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in State Tax Reform.
“She was a careful, creative, and critical thinker who read broadly and thought deeply. With Carole’s passing, she leaves behind a legacy that will long-serve as a benchmark for all Nevadans,” said NTA President Cindy Creighton. “It was an absolute privilege to be her friend, be inspired by her vision and guidance, and to listen to her incredible stories and history lessons.” Creighton continued: “While Nevada grieves her loss, the NTA will honor her memory by instilling her lifetime of work to future generations. To the NTA, Carole Vilardo is our legend. May she rest in peace.”
Cindy Creighton, President
Nevada Taxpayers Association
Serving the Citizens of Nevada Since 1922
2303 East Sahara Avenue, Suite 102
Las Vegas, NV 89104-4138