RSCVA Needs a BDR Sponsor – Legislatively Speaking
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Per NRS 244A, which governs County Fair and Recreation Boards in the State of Nevada, the Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority Board elects new officers each July, during even-numbered years. Back in July 2024 the RSCVA voted in their new chair, vice-chair, and secretary/treasurer and they will not revisit new officers until July 2026. If you watch the July 25, 2024, meeting you will see then RSCVA Chair Charlene Bybee floundering with no support, with Alexis Hill moving Hillary Schieve into the role of chair, clearly well-rehearsed by Hill and Schieve. Bybee desperately wanted to hang onto the chair, but the board members wouldn’t even throw Bybee a lifeline just so the organization didn’t look quite so much at odds, and they let her go down with the ship. Picon is referring to one of Bybee’s more cringe-worthy statements made to the Reno Gazette-Journal steering the ship at the RSCVA, “Bringing the right person is more important than ever. I’m on a mission. I’ve got to move this Titanic and get it away from the iceberg.”
The RSCVA board wants to change the charter of the organization regarding the chair and appointments to the “authority” which amuses us greatly after watching this body over the last two years. The board at times, has been a hot mess with some of the board members turning on their own CEO.
This board does not operate harmoniously. Picon thought life would get better with the departure of former Commissioner Bob Lucey, who thought it was his divine right to serve on the RSCVA, but the board seemed to bicker more since his departure. Two members of the board were able to piss off the former CEO Charles Harris enough to cause him to resign in June 2023, yet another bad look for the organization, but this group doesn’t seem to care about optics. We assume they think no one is watching, and sadly that is the case. Residents only read about the RSCVA’s snafus – usually with their CEO, and rarely celebrate their staff’s successes.
Per the board agenda on October 25, 2024, Jesse Wadhams, who might be one of the lowest key lobbyists Picon has ever met, with the law firm of Black and Wadhams, retained as the RSCVA’s government affairs firm. The board wants Wadhams to find a legislator to carry a BDR (Bill Draft Request) to amend NRS 244A.601 to revise the manner in which Board members are appointed and/or reappointed to the Board, as well as the eligibility requirements to serve as Chair of the Board.
As of now the “chair” can only be one of the “elected” board members serving from City of Reno Government (Mayor Hillary Schieve), City of Sparks Government (Councilmember Charlene Bybee), and Washoe County Government (Commissioner Alexis Hill). Serving on the RSCVA board now as chair is non-other than Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve. They are also the folks who vote on the board appointments.
If truth be told, residents of Northern Nevada don’t pay much attention to the RSCVA and you damn well should because these folks have a big budget, pitch the area across the county and globe – you know tourism, in some cases they have done a superlative job and they are not without a few flops.
Primarily, of late, they have been one hot mess, seemingly unable to keep an President/CEO and have gotten a whole lot of controversy and headlines the organizations didn’t need or want.
We’re pondering where the idea to change RSCVA NRS code hails from – who is spearheading this on the RSCVA board - there has to be a reason after all this time. Board appointments are from the Nevada Resort Association, Reno-Tahoe International Airport, and Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce.
As we were pondering writing about this NRS code change being floated by the RSCVA last week, and we decided to include an anonymous letter we received. This was sent to us not once but twice. Most media wouldn’t print this but Picon is not most media. As the letter urges us, we went back and watched the meeting not only once but twice, and that is why we are printing.
Some will call us out for this and we’re okay with that. We’ve asked for whistleblowers and when you ask for something you have to support what you asked for – anonymous or not.
We urge Councilmember Charlene Bybee to reach out to us if she would like to comment or refute, we will be sending her an email for comment.
Picon will be sending this “note” to RSCVA President/CFO Mike Larragueta for comment.
Anonymous letter Picon publisher Larry Chesney received (twice).