2026 Association Officers
Officers
Mark Sutton- President
Mark Sutton’s initial experience serving with the Reno Rodeo came as a wrangler in 2007 with the Contestant Parking Committee. Originally from Michigan, Mark traveled with his daughter, Jessica, each summer to take part in the Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West. Fascinated with the dedication and the uncompromising can-do attitude of the Reno Rodeo volunteer base, Mark became an association member in 2009 and moved to Reno after his retirement in 2011. “People often ask me why I decided to retire in Reno, Nevada. I would have to say it was to be near my daughter and to be a bigger part of the Reno Rodeo.”
Sutton soon became immersed in the Reno Rodeo, serving on more than a dozen committees and chairing the Exhibit Hall, Museum, Magazine, and Manpower Committees over several years. Each of these committees had its own set of challenges and opportunities, but they all offered areas for continuous improvement, something that is a part of Mark’s mantra. In recent years, his experience on the Manpower Committee has allowed him to interact with every committee and the entire leadership team.
His service with the Reno Rodeo has been recognized over the years, as he was the recipient of the Award of Merit Buckle in 2014. He also received the coveted RR Silver Spurs in 2019 and was named Committeeman of the Year in 2022.
Before moving to Reno, Mark made his 33-year career with the General Motors Powertrain Division in numerous operations. Like his rodeo career, he served in multiple capacities at G.M. but credits most of his experience in manufacturing and global supply chain. “Much of my experience at G.M. has been transferable to different opportunities within the association,” he shared.
Mark was elected as second vice president in April of 2023 and took over as first vice president in August of 2024. He will serve as the Reno Rodeo President for the 2026 rodeo. Both he and his wife, Laura, are extremely enthusiastic about the coming years.
Greg Goss -1st Vice President
Greg Goss is the essence of battle-born and bred. A 2003 graduate of Reno High, Goss also attended TMCC, UNR, and Feather River College in Quincey, California, where he played baseball, a sport that he loves to this day.
Greg has been a part of the Reno Rodeo landscape for as long as he can remember. Always a fan of the sport, he comments, “Every time Mark Elston saw me sitting down, he gave me a job. I didn’t have time to keep track of the committees I worked on.” Greg made it official as a wrangler in 2009, followed by his association membership two years later. He was successfully elected as a director the first year he ran in 2015 and has never looked back. Fast forward to April of 2024 when he was elected to serve as the Reno Rodeo’s 2nd vice president. His official term began in August last year.
His commitment to the Reno Rodeo has not gone unnoticed. He has received several different awards over the years including an Award of Merit Knife in 2018 and the Merit Buckle in 2023.
For his day job, Greg serves as a business agent for the Operating Engineers Local 3; a job he has had for the last four years. “My life goal is to work enough in the next 15-20 years to buy some land and raise cattle. My dream would be to own my own ranch and run cattle.”
Greg and his wife Cara met through the Reno Rodeo and were married in 2017. They have two boys aged five and two.
Greg’s philosophy about rodeo is simple. “Every day should be fun at the rodeo. If you’re not having fun at the rodeo, you need to find something else.”
Justin Thomsen - 2nd Vice President
Justin Thomsen is much more than a friendly face. A proud fourth-generation Nevadan, Justin was born and raised in Minden, where he developed a strong work ethic and a drive for success from an early age.
His achievements began at just 16 years old. “I had been working since I was 14 and always had a job,” Justin recalled enthusiastically. “I was a bagger at Albertson’s grocery store and entered a national bagging competition. I flew to Boise, Idaho, to compete and ended up taking second place.” For his impressive performance, Justin won a bike—which he immediately gave to his mom, who needed one. To this day, he still bags his groceries, ensuring it is done correctly.
Growing up in a family of “construction guys,” Justin knew he wanted to carve his own path. “I’ve always been a computer nerd,” he admitted. “At one point, I wanted to be a programmer, but I thought that might be a little too nerdy.”
Recognizing his aptitude for computer technology, Justin attended The University of Nevada, Reno, after graduating from Douglas High School in 2001. “I was fortunate to earn a Millennium Scholarship, which allowed me to attend college virtually free,” he explained. By 2005, he had earned a dual degree in accounting and information systems and never looked back.
Justin began his professional career with Muckel Anderson, gaining experience in tax, audit, and IT services while still in college. In 2014, he took a leap of faith and founded his firm, Slate Accounting. Slate focuses on simplifying accounting so clients can focus on growing their businesses. “We aim to provide real value,” Justin said. “Dealing with finances and money is a personal and intimate responsibility. Our goal is to make people’s lives easier and give them peace of mind.”
Justin credits much of his success to the unwavering support of his wife and two kids. Their love, patience, and encouragement give him the motivation to keep pushing forward, reminding him of what truly matters and inspiring him to achieve more every day.
Andi Morency - Treasurer
Andi Morency is a dynamic educator, accomplished leader, and dedicated community advocate who has shaped the educational landscape of Reno as the founder and Executive Director/Principal of the Honors Academy of Literature. Her drive for innovation in education began after earning a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Penn State. She returned to UNR for her Ph.D., which she completed in 2016, and later engaged in postdoctoral work at Harvard in Advanced Education Leadership and is a certified Data Wise coach.
Beyond the classroom, Andi has secured more than $3 million in grant funding to advance student learning and community initiatives. Her leadership extends to the Burning Man community, serving as Manager for the Black Rock City Census from 2020-2024, and guiding collaborative art projects, such as the 2024 Honoraria art grant for “A Capsule of Curiosity”.
Andi’s Reno Rodeo career began in 2015, when she and her husband, Wyatt, began as new Wranglers. They both became Members of the association in 2017. Active with everything she takes on, Andi got involved with multiple committees, making a name for herself as a valued leader. She has served diligently on the Finance Committee since 2018 and became a Director on the RR Board in 2021. Her stewardship as treasurer, combined with her hands-on volunteerism, upholds the tradition of service while supporting growth and sustainability for the association.
Family is central to Andi’s journey. She and Wyatt, who also serves on the Reno Rodeo Board, are raising four children. Their children participate in sports, singing, robotics, and service leadership.
Andi balances executive responsibilities, board governance, grant writing, and proactive leadership, all while staying active in her children’s activities and the greater Reno volunteer community.
Debbie Sprague - Secretary
Debbie Sprague, originally from Alamosa, Colorado, moved to Reno with her family at the age of six. She is a graduate of Procter R. Hug High School and has trained with Rapport Leadership International, as well as the Paul Mitchell School of Beauty, to become a licensed cosmetologist.
Debbie has been with the Reno Rodeo Association since 1994, serving in multiple capacities. She has worked on over a half-dozen different committees and chaired the Buckles and Jewelry Committee from 2001 to 2015. She was elected a Reno Rodeo Director in 2008 and has served on the Executive Committee since 2012. In 2015, Debbie became the first RR female officer when she was elected as secretary. She has been very proudly reelected for another term in 2024, for two more years. In recognition of her many contributions, she won the Award of Merit Buckle in 2013.
Debbie has proudly raised three grown children and three grown grandchildren and is very proud of her extended family too.
Debbie claims that the past several years have been some of her most memorable times with the Reno Rodeo. “I’m busier than ever as secretary, but I wouldn’t change a thing.” As I sit here and remember the past thirty years… “I can still remember the day that I was sitting on my horse in the RR arena and Cotton Rosser was on horseback next to me in 2015… still a day I will never forget, one of my fondest, happiest memories,10 years later!”
She considers the opportunity to serve as the secretary as “priceless and glad to serve our community with such a great organization.” I have been blessed with hundreds of friends during the last 30 years, both here in Reno and on the rodeo road.
Blessings… Deb
Executive Committee
Finance Committee
