Scott Muelrath has spent more than two decades helping shape Southern Nevada’s business community. As President and CEO of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, he has helped guide one of the region’s fastest-growing chambers while supporting business growth, workforce development, and economic opportunity across Henderson.

Scott’s journey to Southern Nevada began in Northern California. Raised in Napa, he grew up surrounded by vineyards before attending UC Davis, where he met his wife, now a professor at UNLV. In 2001, the couple relocated to Las Vegas, bringing Scott’s background in marina management and waterfront development to the desert.

After arriving in Southern Nevada, Scott transitioned into commercial real estate and property management. He managed major projects including the Galleria at Sunset and played a role in downtown Las Vegas redevelopment, including the development of Las Vegas City Hall and Town Square. The Great Recession brought challenges, but also perspective as he worked alongside hundreds of business tenants navigating difficult economic conditions.

That experience shaped the next chapter of his career.

Scott joined the Henderson Chamber board before stepping into the CEO role nearly 15 years ago. At the time, the chamber had approximately 600 members and a modest operating budget. Under Scott’s leadership, the organization grew to more than 2,200 members with a nearly $3 million membership-driven budget.

Growth, however, tells only part of the story.

Scott helped expand programs supporting small businesses, including the Henderson Chamber business incubator on Water Street — the longest-running incubator in Nevada. Designed to help entrepreneurs launch and grow, the incubator combines affordable workspace, mentorship, networking, and business support resources.

He also helped pioneer the Clark County Health Plan Association, one of the country’s most successful chamber-led health plans, helping thousands of small businesses and their employees gain access to healthcare coverage.

Looking ahead, Scott sees Henderson continuing to evolve through advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and economic diversification. Projects such as Haas Automation and future industrial development in the Eldorado Valley represent long-term opportunities for Southern Nevada’s workforce and business community.

When asked what advice he would give young entrepreneurs, Scott emphasized mentorship and learning through experience.

“Make your mistakes on someone else’s dollar,” he shared, encouraging young professionals to seek mentors, learn from experienced leaders, and build strong relationships before venturing out on their own.

Scott’s leadership story is also deeply rooted in family.

He often speaks proudly of his wife’s academic career at UNLV, where she recently became the first woman in the history department to earn full professorship and will serve as department chair. Their story began at UC Davis as history majors, where a shared class eventually led to marriage and a move to Southern Nevada more than two decades ago.

Outside of work, Scott’s greatest joy has been time with his daughter. For years, he served as an assistant coach for her high school basketball team in Boulder City, describing those moments as a complete reset from the demands of leadership. He proudly shared that she led Nevada’s 3A division in three-pointers before continuing her education at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. If given the chance to revisit any moment in time, Scott said he would return to watch her senior basketball season one more time.

After years of leadership, chamber growth, and community building, Scott still speaks most passionately about people: the businesses, leaders, and relationships that help communities thrive.

- Part of the Nevada Leadership Archive (NLA), a leadership portrait series documenting people shaping Southern Nevada.