Mark Elston - President

Mark enjoys Reno Rodeo for the event, charitable giving, the positive benefits to our community and the family values it represents. Mark has served on stalls, admissions, president's room, count team and most recently sponsors committee. He has had the pleasure of serving as a committee chairman of the count team "2002 Committee of the Year" and sponsors, which was recognized as "2004 Committee of the Year." He is a Reno native and graduate of University of Nevada, Reno, attended the Wharton Business School and is currently Director Investment Officer for Wachovia Securities. He and his wife Beverly have three children: Jennifer, a teacher at Reed High School, Becky, a Senior at UNR and Jim, a Freshman at UNR.

Gordon Cowan - 1st Vice President

Gordie’s membership with Reno Rodeo is nearly synonymous with having held leadership roles. He helmed both Local and National Sponsor Committees simultaneously four years; then Advertising / Marketing three years. Those committees earned the ‘Committee of the Year’ distinction under his guidance, for which he credits fellow members’ hard work. He additionally served two years with the Executive Committee. The past 24 years of his 36-year Northern Nevada residency kept Gordie engaged in raising two daughters and maintaining an active litigation law practice. He and his wife Heidi raise and show performance horses. The Cowans are significant outdoor enthusiasts. Gordie also donates time and resources to a nonprofit foundation which provides Northern Nevada’s youth opportunities to participate in winter sports. 

Ray Callahan - 2nd Vice President

Ray Callahan became involved with the Reno Rodeo when his daughter, Erin, began riding as a member of the flag team in 1986. He became more involved when Erin was named Miss Reno Rodeo in 1994. It was at this time that Ray realized that he had not only developed some great friendships, but had become involved in an association that was a tremendous benefit to the entire community. Ray became a full member in 1997 and a Director in 2002. Ray has served on the Security, Arena, and Grounds Committees. He has chaired the Team Penning Committee and spent the past two years as a member of the Finance Committee and Executive Board. Ray is a fourth generation Nevadan. He has two daughters and three grandchildren. Ray retired as a captain for the Nevada Division of Forestry in 2004 and now ranches full time. Ray and his wife, Amy, live on a piece of property off the Mount Rose Highway which was once part of the original family ranch.

Clint Thiesse - Treasurer

In 1989, Clint joined the Reno Rodeo Association as a wrangler to hold on to a thread of his rural upbrining. He became a full member in 1991 and a Director in 1995. Clint has been and remains a very active member of the arena, grounds and BFI committees, in addition to his Executive board and Officer duties. Clint was raised on a farm near a small farming community in West-Central Minnesota. Growing up he was active in school football and basketball and the county 4-H program where he raised and showed beef cattle. He proceeded on to college, graduating from North Dakota State University with a B.S. in civil engineering. Clint's first post-graduate employment, an assignment with U.S. Public Health Service-Indian Health Services, brought him to Reno. He's lived here ever since. Since 1983 he has been employed by Summitt Engineering Corp. where he is Vice President. Clint and his wife Dana, a Reno native, have been married over 27 years. Clint has 2 daughters, Diedra, a Reno resident and Adrienne, who with her husband and 2 daughters, lives in Tulsa, OK. Clint is an avid Nevada Wolf Pack supporter, and remains loyal to his Minnesota Twins and Vikings.

Larry Stacy - Secretary

Larry Stacy started his association with Reno Rodeo in 1984 as a wrangler. He became a full member in 1986 and a Director in 1991. Larry has served on Admissions, Advertising, Arena, Bars, Barbecue, Bob Feist Invitational, Businessmen Steer Decorating, Cattle Drive, Count Team, Executive Board, Finance, Golf Tournament, Grounds, Local Sponsors, Parking, Security, Special Event, Tickets and Ushers. He has served as chairman for many of these committees. Larry received his award of merit buckle in 1990 and the sliver spurs in 2003. Larry was raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and from the he was 12 years old until he when to the Army he spend his summers working on his friend's grandparents ranch 30 miles from Johnson City Texas. After he was discharged from the Army, he attended the Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship program of Local 146. Larry moved to Reno in 1983 looking for the open range where you can ride and never run into a fence. Since 1995 he has worked for Facilities Management of Washoe County. Larry has two sons, Brandy who with his wife and twin son and daughter live in Burleson, Texas, and Randy who with his wife and daughter live in McKinney, Texas. Larry has always been a rodeo fan and was a rough stock rider in high school. 

Steve Teserio

Directors 

Bob Austin
Randy Bell
Bob Bell
Bill Bertelson
Bob Butler
Ray Callahan
Ray Chavez
Gordon Cowan
Sherri David
Dan Ehorn
Mark Elston
Dennis Freeman
Larry Frugoli
Dick Gammick
Jim Hay
Mert Haraughty
Josh Iveson
Gary D. Jackson
Bill Johnson
Fergus Laughridge
Mike Lucke
Rich Miller
Mike Montero
Brent Muhlenberg
Doug Nicholson
Tom Pagnano
Rudy Park
Scott Peterson
Kevin Rose
Phil Salerno
Fred Sheltrown
Brad Sidener
Larry Stacy
Stan Stoll
Bill Summy
John Sutton
Marjie Swiatek
Steve Teserio
Clint Thiesse
John Tipton
Alan Tom
Paul Tueller
Sue Ward
Howard Weiss
Dr. Greg "Lightning" Williams
Fred Woodside

Past Presidents

Bob Beach
Bob Britton
Jim Carpenter
Frank Cassas
Jim Casselli
Thomas Cates
David Cox
Grant Dalen
Jerry David
Chuck Ewoldt
Tim Grinsell
James Halley
Jack Horgan
Stephen Hunter
Garry Jackson
Jon Key
Digger Knafelc
Wayne Lund
Robert Lyle
Joseph Martin
Ernest Martinelli
Bob Martini
Kevin McKee
Lee McKenzie
Michael Mentaberry
Bill Price
John Solari
Vince Swinney
Jack O. Walther
Steven T. Walther
Dan Warren
Clinton Wells, Jr