2024 Association Officers
Officers
Jim Neil - President
Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, Jim Neil has been a part of the Battle Born state his entire life. “My family, and I have all grown up in Northern Nevada. Our love of the outdoors, and Nevada’s rich history, has allowed us to build a lifestyle that takes advantage of all that it has to offer; skiing, hiking, trail riding, kayaking, biking, and of course, rodeo, are some of our favorites.”
A graduate of Earl Wooster High School, Jim attended the University of Nevada, Reno and graduated in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in education. Throughout college, he worked in the banking industry and has remained there his entire career, primarily in commercial lending. However, he also worked in the cash management and project management sides of the business. Jim has enjoyed helping Nevada businesses grow and succeed throughout Northern Nevada.
After being a lifelong Reno Rodeo fan, Jim decided to become involved with the association when his daughter, Lauren, entered the competition for Miss Reno Rodeo. Lauren proudly served as Miss Reno Rodeo in 2010 and won the title of Miss Rodeo Nevada that same year.
Over the last 14 years, Jim has been active with the Arena, Team Sorting, and Finance Committees. During that time, he served as the assistant chair for team sorting for six years and finance for two years. He was elected treasurer in April of 2019 and served a two-year term before successfully running for second vice-president in the spring of 2022. Jim’s significant efforts were recognized at the 2019 awards dinner when he was presented with the coveted Award of Merit buckle. “My involvement in the rodeo has only deepened my appreciation for this region and has given me the opportunity to help promote our great western heritage.”
Jim and his wife, Korbie, met in 1980, and have been married for 42 years. They have two daughters, Aubrie and Lauren, who both live and work in Northern Nevada.
Mark Sutton- 1st Vice President
Mark Sutton’s first 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 the fall of 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, who was attending UNR, and to be a bigger part of the Reno Rodeo.”
Over the next several years, he immersed himself in the Reno Rodeo, serving on more than a dozen different committees. He considers it an honor to have been able to chair the Exhibit Hall, Museum, Magazine, and Manpower Committees, each having its own unique set of opportunities. In recent years, his experience on the Manpower Committee has allowed him to interact with every committee and the entire RR leadership team.
Before moving to Reno, Mark worked for the General Motors Powertrain Division for 33 years in many different operations. Similar to 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 directly transferable to different opportunities within the association,” he shared. “It’s about getting better every single day.”
Mark was elected as second vice president in April of 2023 and will serve as the Reno Rodeo President for the 2026 rodeo. Both he and his wife, Laura, are extremely enthusiastic about the coming years with the Reno Rodeo.
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, and only to-date, female officer when she was elected as secretary the first time she campaigned for the position. In recognition of her many contributions, she won the Award of Merit Buckle in 2013.
Debbie has three grown children and is very proud of her extended family; oldest son Roy Batts, Jr. (married to Pauline), daughter Wendi Guasch (married to Jeremy), and youngest son, Aaron Batts. She also has three grandchildren, Brittani Lynn, Jerron Joey Kody, and Rilee Erin; along with great granddaughter, Arya Ashley Marie Putnam.
Debbie claims that the past few 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. I’m proud to be an officer of this great organization; I’m a tiny part of the big picture.”
She considers the opportunity to serve as the secretary as “priceless.” “I have been blessed with hundreds of friends during the last 24 years, both here in Reno and on the rodeo road. I’m just striving to be a better person every day! As my son Roy Jr. used to say to me on the phone when serving with the U.S. Navy, ‘Carry on Smartly!’”
Justin Thomsen - Treasurer
Justin Thomsen is more than just a pretty face. A proud fourth-generation Nevadan, born and raised in Minden, he knew that he wanted to work hard, attend college, and be successful from a young age.
His accomplishments started early, at the age of 16. “I had been working since I was 14 and always had a job,” Justin explained enthusiastically. “I was a bagger at Albertson’s grocery store, and I entered a national bagging competition. I flew to Boise, Idaho, to compete and took second place.” Justin won a bike for his efforts, and he handed it over to his mom “because she needed a bike.” He still bags his groceries today, ensuring that it is done correctly.
Raised in a family of “construction guys,” Justin knew that he wanted to do something different. “I’ve always been a computer nerd,” Justin stated. “At one point, I wanted to be a programmer, but I thought that was just too nerdy.”
Recognizing that his skillset was around computer technology, he attended The University of Nevada, Reno, after graduating from Douglas High in 2001. “I was fortunate to win a Millennium Scholarship and was able to attend college virtually free,” Justin explained. He graduated with a dual degree in accounting and information systems in 2005 and never looked back.
Justin began working for Muckel Anderson while still in college doing tax, audit, and information technology work. In 2014, he took another step, starting his own firm, Slate Accounting and Technology. Slate focuses on taking the agony out of accounting to allow clients time to focus on their businesses. “We want to provide value to our clients,” Justin explained. “Working with financials and money is an intimate responsibility. We can make people’s lives easier and provide peace of mind.”
Justin has been a part of the Reno Rodeo landscape since 2010 when his friend Lauren Sankovich interested him in becoming a wrangler. “I love talking to people and helping people get to where they are going, so it was a natural fit,” Justin confided. He first served as a member in 2012 and soon found his way inside the association, joining the Finance Committee in 2016. He successfully ran for director in April 2018 and has since expanded his support onto the Technology, BSD, and Golf Committees.
Justin fills some of his limited spare time with hunting and fishing. “My older brother and I used to duck hunt when we were young. Now, I focus on chukar hunting,” he explained. “My family makes me happy, and being on a Nevada dirt road, on top of a mountain or a ridge.”
Speaking of family, Justin is married to his high school sweetheart, Jamie, who is also a UNR graduate and a middle school social studies teacher. They have two children, Ryder (12) and Reese (9), who have come to love taking part in the Reno Rodeo fun every June.
Executive Committee
Finance Committee
