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Gary Gugino

Basic Info​

  • Age: 77 years old
  • Occupation: Retired (former real estate agent, gave up license a couple years ago)
  • Location: Las Vegas, Nevada (Summerlin area)
  • Met: At pickleball courts in Las Vegas
  • Activities: Regular pickleball player, woodworking enthusiast

Family​

  • Wife: Judy Gugino
    • Works for Nevada State High School (charter school)
    • Helps students take college courses during high school
    • Detailed Role: Facilitates program where juniors/seniors take actual college courses at CSN (College of Southern Nevada) and UNLV for dual high school/college credit
    • Was scheduled for root canal procedure (mentioned June 23)
  • Son: Lives with them
  • Granddaughter: 11-12 years old, lives with them, plays soccer
  • Cousin: Started a school, was formerly a teacher at Green Valley High School
  • Full family lives together in the same household

Residence​

  • Lives near Town Square (Las Vegas Boulevard and Sunset)
  • Lives "a little bit farther south" from Town Square
  • Recently traveled to Oceanside/Carlsbad area

Professional Background​

  • Former Real Estate Agent: Gave up license a couple of years ago
  • Current Status: Retired, interested in business opportunities that "make money and make a difference"
  • Philosophy: Wants to do something that benefits large populations while generating income

Interests/Traits​

  • Technology Enthusiast:
    • Regularly plays pickleball
    • Has been using AI glasses (Meta Ray-Ban) and appears tech-savvy for his age
    • Interested in AI and new technologies
    • Tesla owner with self-driving capability, enthusiastic about autonomous driving
    • Familiar with programming concepts and AI development
  • Woodworking: Active woodworker, appreciates hands-on, elemental skills
  • Forward-thinking: Interested in VR applications, educational technology, future developments
  • Entrepreneurial mindset: Has been in multiple businesses with his wife, some successful, some not
  • Supportive spouse: Describes his wife as "so supportive" of his business ventures

Philosophy & Perspectives​

  • Education: Believes current education system is "completely broken" across political lines
  • Technology: Enthusiastic about beneficial applications, concerned about over-dependence on automation
  • Parenting: Understanding of natural parent-child relationship evolution and healthy independence
  • Risk-taking: Entrepreneurial by nature, willing to take business risks
  • Family dynamics: Had father who was discouraging of ideas ("here's why it won't work")

Nevada State High School Program Details​

  • Model: Charter school with 5 locations around Las Vegas, plus one in Reno
  • Target: Juniors and seniors only
  • Approach: Students take actual college courses at CSN and UNLV with regular college professors
  • Credits: Students earn dual high school and college credit, can graduate as college sophomores or juniors
  • Athletics: Students remain tied to their zoned high school for sports eligibility
  • Funding: Receives same per-pupil funding from state as traditional public schools
  • History: Operating for 12-15 years, started with one location and expanded
  • Socialization: Students socialize within their school community and maintain connection to home school for athletics
  • Requirements: Must meet state Department of Education accreditation and tracking requirements

Interests in Collaboration​

  • Education: Interested in helping expand Nevada State High School model to other states (specifically Tulsa mentioned)
  • Technology: Open to AI and software development opportunities
  • Business: Seeking opportunities that combine profit with positive impact
  • QA and Product Development: Expressed interest in quality assurance and beginning/end aspects of software development rather than coding itself

Health & Lifestyle​

  • Active: Regular pickleball player, maintains active lifestyle at 77
  • Travel: Recent trips to Oceanside/Carlsbad, comfortable with Tesla self-driving for long distances
  • Medical: Wife scheduled for root canal (as of June 23, 2025)

Personality Traits​

  • Practical wisdom: Understands business cycles, technology evolution, and human nature
  • Supportive: Encouraging of entrepreneurial thinking and risk-taking
  • Realistic: Balances optimism with practical experience
  • Curious: Actively interested in learning about new technologies and opportunities
  • Patient: Willing to work through complex ideas and provide thoughtful feedback

Notable Quotes​

  • "My wife is so supportive. God bless her. We've been in a lot of businesses. Some made money, some didn't make money. And I'm always trying to do something."
  • "It's much better if you find something that people need" (regarding business strategy)
  • "I would like to do something that made money and made a difference"
  • "At my age, you really, you really appreciate in a place you don't know, you know, the car navigates"

Transcripts​

Transcript IDDateSummary
2025-04-04-pickleball-gary-gugino2025-04-04Pickleball session discussing educational reform, AI technology, and family connections
2025-06-23-gary-sheng-gary-gugino-dunkin-donuts-summerlin2025-06-23Extended conversation at Dunkin Donuts covering business opportunities, education models, Dr. Alexander partnership, Nevada State High School program, and technology philosophy
2025-12-23-baby-stacks-breakfast2025-12-23Faith discussion breakfast with Michael Lashley at Baby Stacks

Interactions​

  • 2025-04-04: Played pickleball together, discussed AI education and technology
  • 2025-06-23: Extended conversation at Dunkin Donuts in Summerlin covering business opportunities, education models, technology, family dynamics, and potential collaborations
  • 2025-12-23: Breakfast at Baby Stacks with Michael Lashley; discussed faith (Gary remains skeptical due to evil in the world); Gary Sheng promised to send info on building Meta Wearables person-identification app