Hal Michael Goldblatt of Las Vegas, Nevada, received the honor of being awarded the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement award for outstanding achievements in both his professional and personal life.  He exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that has been the backbone of America. Marquis Who’s Who is the world’s premier publisher of biographic profiles. He is also listed in WHO’S WHO IN IN AMERICA, WHO’S WHO IN ENTERTAINMENT, WHO’S WHO IN THE WORLD, and WHO’S WHO OF EMERGING LEADERS IN AMERICA.

          On a professional level, Mr. Goldblatt has worked in the field of accounting holding various positions including Controller and CFO of many major construction companies in Southern Nevada.  He worked on billion dollar projects, the Fontainebleau Hotel & Casino and the Cosmopolitan Hotel & Casino. He has been recognized by the Timberline User Group as one of the top users of this software for his knowledge of the product, custom reports and training abilities.  He also serves on the boards of directors of three corporations as treasurer. 

          Hal Goldblatt’s photographs have been published in hundreds of newspapers, magazines, specialty pamphlets and seven books around the world.  His photos were displayed in photographic exhibits at the various branches of the Clark County Library District for over two years.  He volunteers as the official photographer for Chabad of Southern Nevada.        

          Mr. Goldblatt volunteers as the Director of Security for Chabad of Southern Nevada and the Desert Torah Academy Day School.  He works with various law enforcement agencies throughout Southern Nevada, including the Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center.  Mr. Goldblatt stands guard at the Chabad of Southern Nevada Synagogue each Sabbath and Holidays.  He has received training through the LVMPD, FBI, DHS and the Secret Service.  He works with the LVMPD Bolden Area Command Community Coalition on various community projects.  He also serves as the Block Captain of the Arville-Oakey Neighborhood Watch Association.

          Mr. Goldblatt serves as a lay leader for his synagogue, Chabad of Southern Nevada.  He has served on various interfaith councils promoting knowledge and understanding for Jewish causes.  He has been a guest lecturer in economics and on religious topics both nationally and locally.  He has authored three books and directed two short films.  Mr. Goldblatt has been recognized with many awards for his academic and community service including being proclaimed “Citizen of the Month” for November 2017 by the City of Las Vegas.

          Friday night, November 25, 2022, Mr. Goldblatt’s life changed forever. He was walking home from the nearby synagogue. There is a larger street that he crosses on his way home, and there is a crosswalk on that street. A crosswalk he and his wife were instrumental in getting placed and often crossed with pride for the safety and care of the community.

          As he approached the street, he looked both ways, as he always did and as he has taught his 10 children to do.  His children have also taught his 29 grandchildren to do, so when he saw there were no cars coming, he began to cross the street. He was mere feet from the sidewalk when a car struck him. The driver was allegedly speeding and told police he had looked down to adjust the heat in the car.

          Mr. Goldblatt doesn’t remember any of this. He was told later by witnesses and the police report that he flew 79 feet in the air. He shattered the car’s windshield and he landed behind the car, broken and unconscious.  In total, Mr. Goldblatt broke 13 bones, including bones in both his legs, both his arms, spine, skull and five ribs. He was in critical condition for two weeks, unconscious, and a team of surgeons performed three surgeries on his broken spine, right leg and right arm.

          In total he spent more than a month in the hospital before his wife, working with home health care, therapists and a hospital case worker, managed to bring him home to continue his recovery.  His wife Shawn Goldblatt is his primary Care Giver.  While still bed ridden he worked with the Ward 1 City Councilman, Brian Knudsen, to pass a resolution for pedestrian safety.  The Las Vegas City Council unanimously adopted Vision Zero to eliminate pedestrian accidents by 2050. Mr. Knudsen submitted a letter he wrote, and they passed the resolution in his name.

          Mr. Goldblatt is a fighter and he felt called to do more, because that single avoidable moment irrevocably changed his life.  He is permanently disabled but still wants to do more.   With his wife Shawn they are founding members of a non-profit educational and advocacy group called “StopRoadCrashes.org”.  He serves as treasurer for the group.  He has also been named a “Community Leader, Dedicated Traffic Safety Advocate” for the City of Las Vegas via a proclamation by the City Council.

          Mr. Goldblatt has appeared on television on all the Las Vegas news stations numerous times talking about traffic safety.  The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department produced a PSA about Mr. Goldblatt’s accident which received 55 thousand views in the first week it appeared.   LVMPD is working on a second PSA with him.  He continues to speak and educate the public on traffic safety, “Slow Down, Pay Attention, Don’t Drive Impaired and Save Lives!”