Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
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SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY Cheers to Charity I n Las Vegas, it's not unreasonable to claim that plenty of plans that seemed like a good idea at the time were fueled by alcohol. But for Back Bar USA, spirits are powering much more clear-eyed thinking. That's because the company's president, Tim Haughinberry, and its CFO, Flor Bernal, spend much of their time giving away the bar—for good causes. It started out casually, with friends calling Haughinberry for advice or help with their favorite causes. But soon the requests were coming in daily, and he needed to develop a strategy for handling the company's philanthropic pursuits. At first that simply meant donating alcoholic beverages, but now Back Bar USA is partnering with other organizations to develop and market charitable events. Back Bar USA's philanthropic ethos was born in Haughinberry's upbringing in California. "I grew up in a family that always worked with charities," he says. "My brother has Down syndrome, and we always participated in that community." Haughinberry moved to Vegas in 1987 to attend UNLV, which formed the foundation for his deep love for the city. After graduating, he found a kindred spirit in Bernal, whom he first met at Southern Wine & Spirits. So impressed was he with the accountant's work that he asked her to join him continued on page 48 PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONA SHIELD PAYNE BACK BAR USA, THE SPIRITS MARKETING COMPANY HEADED BY TIM HAUGHINBERRY AND FLOR BERNAL, IS A WELL OF GENEROSITY FOR CHARITIES ALL OVER LAS VEGAS. BY ELENA JACOB 46 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 046-048_V_SP_SofG_Winter14.indd 46 1/10/14 11:03 AM