Tom Roberts has been a dedicated public servant to his country and the state of Nevada for the past 38 years: first as an Airman in the U.S. Air Force and then as a member of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, where he retired from his position as Assistant Sheriff, and most recently as a member of the Nevada Assembly.

As a member of the Nevada Assembly, Tom’s ability to negotiate and act as a bridge-maker between parties and organizations was why he was selected to be a part of leadership within his Caucus. As the Deputy Minority Caucus Leader, Tom managed the caucus staff and was lead on fundraising for Caucus and leadership PACs. He developed and executed election strategies for Assembly incumbents and targeted pickup seats. In addition, Tom facilitated the development of legislative priorities and negotiated outcomes with majority party and governor’s office. Successful in passing over 250 bills for the caucus. Tom served on Judiciary, Ways and Means, Growth and Infrastructure, Taxation, and Legislative Operations and Elections Committees during the regular sessions. He also served on Interim Finance Committee, Legislative Commission, Sentencing Commission, and Southern Nevada Economic Forum. Known as bipartisan leader, Tom has developed great relationships on both sides of the aisle.

During his tenure at LVMPD, Tom rose through the ranks from Police Officer to Assistant Sheriff and worked in a number of capacities, including: DEA Interdiction Task Force Sgt, Hostage Negotiator, Director of Intergovernmental Services, Police Captain (Southeast Area Command, South Central Area Command, and Office of Internal Oversight), and Police Deputy Chief of Patrol and Investigations.

Tom was appointed as Director of Intergovernmental Services by Sheriff Doug Gillespie, where he served four years representing LVMPD and lobbying at Clark County, City of Las Vegas, Nevada Legislature/Governor and Nevada’s Federal delegation. In addition, he worked collaboratively in lobbying with Major Police Chiefs, Major County Sheriffs and Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Associations. During his time in this position, he was successful legislation and procuring funding at every government level.

Tom was appointed to Assistant Sheriff in 2015 by Sheriff (now Governor) Joe Lombardo, where he was a central member of the Executive Leadership Team and directly managed and led five divisions and one bureau consisting of over 1,700 commissioned and civilian members.

During his time with LVMPD Tom worked closely with community leaders and government officials at every level to assist in resolving a variety of issues in Nevada. Tom retired from LVMPD in 2018 to run for the Nevada Assembly.

During his time with the Air Force as a Law Enforcement Specialist, Tom was in charge of providing security at foreign military bases, protecting our Airforce members and their families, and protecting against criminal activity. He was stationed in Keesler AFB, MS, Izmir AS, Turkey and Nellis AFB, NV and was honorably discharged in 1993.

As Managing Partner of Meridian Nevada, Tom provides a top quality political and strategic consulting service that clients will appreciate and come to expect.

His extensive political and law enforcement network reaches all corners of Nevada and the country. He is involved in the Police Executive Police Forum, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and many other political, policy, and law enforcement organizations. During his years of public service, Tom has developed a network of elected and police officials whom he considers friends in other states, the Nevada’ Federal delegation, Nevada Constitutional Officers, Legislators, City Councils, Mayors and public officials.

Tom has been married for over 35 years and has two sons.

EDUCATION

• Master of Human Relations, University of Oklahoma, 2016

• B.S. Education, University of Nevada Las Vegas 1999

• A.S. Criminal Justice, Community College of the Air Force 1993

Training:

• Council of State Governments Western Legislative Academy

• GoPAC Emerging Leaders Program

• Harvard Kennedy School Executive Leaders in State & Local Government

• Executive Level Nevada POST Certification

• Major City Chiefs’ Police Executive Leadership Institute III

• ADL's Western States Israel Counterterrorism Seminar

• University of New Haven Leadership Course in Policing Innovation

• LVMPD Leadership Development Program

• University of Louisville Chief Executive Leadership Course

• Clark County Leadership Forum

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 2018 North Las Vegas Police Department Assessment. Conducted a six-month collaborative assessment project with the City of North Las Vegas to work with city leaders and police command staff to improve succession planning, leadership development, integration with other city departments, department operations and administration.

• 2017 October 1st Shooting Investigation: Part of response command personnel at scene and was the LVMPD lead commander for post investigation and recovery.

• 2016 Presidential Debate. Lead planner and the Incident Commander for LVMPD during the event.

• Fusion Watch Operations Center: Worked collaboratively to establish the LVMPD Crime Center that monitors crime camera assets, Shot Spotter, and assists in managing police resources in the field.

• Shield of Hope Faith Based Initiative: As the Southcentral Area Commander established a faith-based community policing initiative in a high crime area of Las Vegas.

• Budget Reduction Task Force: Led one of two teams that conducted a systematic review of LVMPD’s bureaus budgets and staffing. Within three months, our teams identified over $21 million dollars in potential cost savings to the organization.

2007 – 2010

• Police Managers and Supervisors Association: As a member of the Board of Directors revamped the organization towards increased accountability by strategic planning, developed the first operating budget and implemented several sub-committees.

• Critical Incident Review Team: Led the implementation of a specialized team to conduct administrative reviews of police deadly force incidents and implement organizational change from lessons learned.

AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS

• Unit Meritorious Service Award – Ramming Criminal Investigation 2015

• Unit Exemplary Service Award – Policing Alliance for Safer Schools Project 2015

• Unit Medal of Valor – Gold Butte BLM Incident 2014

• Unit Exemplary Service Award – COPS/CNA Collaborative Reform Project 2014

• Unit Community Service Award – Shield of Hope Faith Based Initiative 2013

• Unit Exemplary Service Award – Budget Reduction Task Force Project 2010

• Unit Medal of Valor – SWAT/Hostage Negotiator 2005

• Unit Medal of Valor – SWAT/Hostage Negotiator 2004

ACTIVITIES / COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Board Member of Friends of Metro Police Foundation

• Board Member of LVMPD Explorer POST

• Advisory Board Member for Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy

• Active participant Major City Police Chief’s Association, Police Executive Research

Forum, International Association of Chief of Police and Nevada Chiefs & Sheriffs

Eric Roberts is the founder and managing partner of Meridian Nevada – a lobbying and government affairs firm in Nevada. Eric moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2008 and became involved in politics in 2012.

In December of 2016, Eric Roberts was hired as the Executive Director of the Nevada Assembly Republican Caucus. He held this position for three legislative sessions (the 79th Session of the Nevada Legislature in 2017, the 80th Session of the Nevada Legislature in 2019, and the 81st Session of the Nevada Legislature in 2021). Eric also served in this position for three special sessions of the Nevada Legislature (the 31st Special Session of the Nevada Legislature in July of 2020, the 32nd session of the Nevada Legislature in August of 2020, and the 33rd Special Session of the Nevada Legislature in November of 2021).

In November of 2022, Eric Roberts created the lobbying firm, Meridian Nevada, which began lobbying in the Nevada Legislature during the 2023 Legislative Session where their clients included Howard Hughes Corporation, the Nevada Justice Association, Nevadans for Personal Privacy Rights, and the Water Strategy Group whose clients include 3PL Operating Inc., AngloGold Ashanti, Lion Copper & Gold, and Orla Mining.

Eric Roberts was born in Indiana and graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Indiana University in 1995 with a business degree that included a concentration in finance and a minor in economics.

As an influential member of Nevada's political and legislative landscape, Omar's experience spans over a fruitful decade, during which he has expertly maneuvered through the often challenging regulatory and political realms. His tenure on Capitol Hill was instrumental in refining his capabilities, enabling him to effectively guide Nevada's political pathway.

With an intimate understanding of the state's political dynamics, and an expansive network spanning regulatory and political domains, Omar's proficiency is in steering clients through labyrinthine and formidable matters. Being a recognized authority on policy interpretation, Omar is a sought-after consultant for clients, politicians, and interested parties who require clarity and direction in the face of existing and emerging legislative changes.

Over the recent six-year period, Omar has held the position of Policy Director within the Nevada Legislature, dedicating his efforts to formulate and execute potent policy strategies for legislative members. This role has necessitated the creation and maintenance of alliances, and collaboration with agencies at both state and federal levels, lobbyists, and various significant stakeholders. Prior engagements include contributions to national political entities and active participation in health policy deliberations within the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Capitol Hill.

A significant achievement in his career includes the successful instigation of Nevada's amendment to the national Right-to-Try law. This key legislation increased terminally ill patients' ability to receive customized medical treatments.

Omar's academic credentials include a degree in Economics from Baylor University. His expansive knowledge, combined with his significant field experience, makes him an indispensable asset in Nevada's government and political arena.