IN PROFILE: Richard Yeargan

BUSINESS: Part-owner Kountry Kitchen

AGE: 56

BACKGROUND: “I enjoy cooking and had my first experience in a Denny’s in Salt Lake City. I cooked at Nevada Joe’s which was a restaurant, convenience store and truck stop before Dennis Hof bought it. I’m actually a journeyman welder.

FIRST JOB: “I worked as a laborer for the water district in Boron, Calif., for $1.65 an hour.”

YEARS IN BUSINESS: “I have lived in Pahrump since 2004 and been working in this area for six years. I’ve been in this location for a year. This restaurant provides a meeting place for several local groups and we can work a suitable menu for any group.

PERSONAL: “I’m going to school online to get my associates degree in photography. When I have time, I like to ride my dirt bike.”

BUSINESS CLIMATE:

“This is a difficult business. It’s hard to plan for a something that’s so unpredictable. The people here make Pahrump a good place to work. You can build relationships with your customers and they are loyal.

I try to reciprocate their loyalty when I can.

“I think one of the biggest things we can do is shop local and stay out of Vegas. We also need to develop personal alternative energy. If everyone would, the public would soon be selling electricity back to VEA. On a national level, we need new leadership.