Mayor’s Office

Function of the Mayor

Chief Executive Officer

The Mayor is not a member of the City Council, although the Mayor presides over the City Council when it is in session. The Mayor preserves order and decorum, and enforces the rules of the City Council. The mayor determines the order of the business of the City Council meeting. The mayor is not entitled to vote on issues before the City Council even in the event of a tie. The Mayor does have veto power on issues passed by the City Council which can be overridden by a unanimous vote of the City Council.

As chief executive officer, the Mayor is responsible for the day to day operation and oversight of the City government and its enterprises. The Mayor is entrusted with the duty of the careful supervision over the general affairs of the City. Including, among others provided by ordinance, the appointment of officers of the City with the advice and consent of the City Council, seeing that the general laws of the City are enforced, signing all licenses, warrants and claims, and the preservation of the public peace and order.

The mission of the Mayor of Fallon is always to improve the quality of life for Fallon residents.

“I represent the city first and foremost. I will fight against anything that is not in the best interests of the citizens of Fallon because that is my job. Each and every day I try to improve the quality of life of those who have entrusted me with this position. I’m passionate about these feelings and place them in the forefront of my thoughts and actions.” – Mayor Ken Tedford

About Mayor Tedford

This Fallon native has proudly served as Mayor since 1995, and previously as a City Council member for eight years. Ken Tedford began serving the City of Fallon through an entrepreneurial lens as the owner of Tedford Tire and Auto Service, a business his parents, Ken, Sr. and Betty Tedford, launched in 1947. With the firm belief that local businesses are the heartbeat of the community, Mayor Tedford intimately understands the needs of Fallon-based entrepreneurs.

After graduating high school, making his mark as a teammate of the Greenwave’s 1970-71 basketball and baseball championship teams, Ken Tedford went on to obtain an accounting degree from the University of Nevada, Reno. In addition to his studies, he also served as Blue Key President and was an active member in Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

Aside from operating his own business and serving in his hometown as Mayor, Ken Tedford is first and foremost a dad to his four children, Kenny, twins Darcy and Dylan, and Alexandria. He has enjoyed coaching them individually in a variety of sports, attending theatre and dance activities, and encouraging them to pursue entrepreneurial dreams.

Mayor Tedford’s family-oriented, civic-minded leadership has led him to hold various positions with different organizations over the years, such as the Fallon Convention & Tourism Authority and the Churchill Economic Development Authority. After working with differing local groups, Mayor Tedford has used his insight to create a variety of programs in an effort to solve consistent issues that touch many areas of the community. These programs include the Young Entrepreneurs Collective, Live Local and the Mayor’s Youth Fund.

His exuding passion for the community has been awarded in a variety of ways, including being recognized as the Nevada League of Cities and Municipalities Public Official of the Year

Achievements

Education & Career

Mayor for over 20 Years
Governor Brian Sandoval Appointed, Judicial Selection Commission
for 10th Judicial District Court (2012)
Honorary Chief Petty Officer, NAS Fallon (1990)
Fallon City Councilman 8 Years
Mayor Pro-tem 4 Years
Tedford Tire and Auto Service (since 1978)
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Sacramento, California
Nevada State Senate, Asst. Sergeant at Arms (1975 Session)
University of Nevada, Reno College of Business (1975): Alpha Tau
Omega Fraternity; Blue Key President; Senate Intern, Washington
D.C., U.S. Senator Alan Bible (1974)
Churchill County High School: National Honor Society Member,
Class Officer, Three-Year Letterman in Basketball and Baseball,
Senior Year Basketball State Champions and Baseball State
Champions (1970–1971)
Sports Enthusiast and Youth Coach

Organizations

Parkside Bible Fellowship, Member and previous Sunday School
Teacher
Banner Churchill Community Hospital Board Member
Nevada State Development Corporation, Board Member
Past President, Churchill Senior Citizens Coalition Board
Past Member, Fallon Fire Board
Past Chairman, Churchill Economic Development Authority
Past Chairman, NAS Fallon Air Show
Past Chairman, Churchill Regional Medical Center
Past Chairman, Fallon Convention & Tourism Authority
Past President, Fallon Rotary Club
Past Vice President, Churchill County Chamber of Commerce
Previous Board Member, St. Mary’s Central Nevada Healthcare
Past University of Nevada, Reno Foundation Board Member

Awards & Accolades

Rotary Club Award for Support of Baseball in Piedras, Negras,
Coahuila, México (2013)
Fallon Chamber “Person of the Year” Award (2012)
Honorary Tailhook Award from USS Carl Vincent CVN 70 (2010)
Churchill County School District “Leadership & Advocacy” Award
(2009)
“Churchill Mason’s Lodge Community Builders” Award (2004)
Churchill County Republican Central Committee, Public Official
of the Year (2003)
American Legion Award for Support of the American Legion
Veterans Services Day
Churchill County Youth Softball Appreciation Award
Churchill Economic Development Authority “Outstanding
Leadership” Award (2000)
Domestic Violence Council Fallon, NV “Domestic Violence
Intervention” Award
Navy SEEBEE Ball “Honory Speaker” Award
Nevada League of Cities Public Official of the Year (1999)
Oasis Toastmasters “Most Watchable Men” Award (1989)
Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award (1998)
Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow (1988)

Mayor’s Cabinet

The Mayor meets weekly with his cabinet of advisors to discuss City affairs, strategize how best to handle those affairs and delegate related tasks.

Michael F. Mackedon

City Attorney

Leonard E. Mackedon

Deputy City Attorney

Robert M. Erquiaga

Legal and Administrative Director

Gary C. Cordes

City Clerk Treasurer

Elsie M. Lee
Deputy City Clerk Treasurer

Brian Byrd
Public Works Director

Ryan A. Swirczek
Deputy Public Works Director

Jane Moon
Director of Tourism & Special Events

Kevin Gehman
Chief of Police

Ron Wenger
Police Captain

Kris Alexander
Police Captain

Mike Lister
Municipal Court Judge

William Lawry br Municipal Court Judge Pro Tem

Steve Endacott
Emergency Manager

Derek Zimney

City Engineer

City Of Fallon Organization Chart

Boards and Committees

Board of Adjustment

This group reviews and approves, continues, denies, or approves
with conditions use permit and variance applications.
Appointees: Kim Barrenchea, Deputy City Attorney Leonard Mackedon,
Chris Webb, Jack Beach and Karla Kent

Fallon Convention and Tourism Authority

This board oversees the promotion of tourism and attraction of visitors to the region.
Appointees: Councilman James Richardson, Chair
Councilman Robert Erickson
Councilwoman Kelly Frost Pranav Morar Scott Tate

Nevada League of Cities

This association aims to coordinate legislative activities of
member communities with news of legislative updates and by working
with National, State and County organizations.
Appointments: Mayor Ken Tedford

Legislative Affairs and Utilities

This group coordinates the City’s efforts concerning legislation
that may impact the City or provide opportunities to obtain grant
funds.
Appointees: Councilman Robert Erickson Deputy City Attorney Robert
Erquiaga

National League of Cities

This nonprofit association of cities and state municipal leagues
aims to strengthen and promote cities as centers of opportunity,
leadership and governance.
Appointments: Mayor Ken Tedford

Regional Transportation Commission (RTC)

The RTC manages and plans for Churchill County’s transportation
needs, including mass transit, and streets and highways.
Appointees: Councilman Robert Erickson City Engineer Michael
Miller City Attorney Michael Mackedon Deputy City Attorney Robert
Erquiaga, Alternate Deputy City Attorney Leonard Mackedon,
Alternate

Fire Board

This board oversees the operation and needs of the volunteer fire
department.
Appointees: Councilman James Richardson Mayor Ken Tedford,
Alternate

Debt Management Commission

This group oversees and makes recommendations concerning the
City’s current and any proposed debt.
Appointees: Councilwoman Kelly Frost City Clerk Gary Cordes

Churchill Economic Development Authority (CEDA)

CEDA is a nonprofit association of public and private entities
organized to provide economic development leadership and programs
to sustain and enhance Churchill County’s economic vitality.

Appointees: Councilwoman Kelly Frost

School Planning Board

This board oversees the needs of existing schools and plans for
new educational facilities. Appointees: City Clerk Gary Cordes

Coalition for Senior Citizens Board of Directors

This group oversees the operation of the senior citizens center,
meals delivered to seniors, the mass transit system, and other
needs.
Appointees: Councilwoman Kelly Frost Deputy City Clerk Treasurer
Elsie Lee, Alternate

Churchill Area Regional Transportation

Churchill Area Regional Transportation (CART) provides paratransit
bus transportation to seniors and disabled with Dial a Ride
service and deviated fixed route to residents in Churchill County
and the City of Fallon.
Appointees: Councilwoman Kelly Frost Deputy City Clerk Elsie Lee,
Alternate

Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS)

UAMPS is a joint action agency that provides comprehensive
wholesale electric energy, on a nonprofit basis, to
community-owned power systems throughout the Intermountain West.

Appointees: Councilman Robert Erickson Deputy City Attorney Robert
Erquiaga City Engineer Michael Miller Deputy City Attorney Leonard
Mackedon, Alternate

Audit Committee

This committee oversees the City’s financial reporting and
disclosure.
Appointees:
Councilman Robert Erickson
City Attorney Michael Mackedon
Deputy City Attorney Robert Erquiaga, Alternate
Deputy City Attorney Leonard Mackedon, Alternate

Insurance Committee

This committee oversees the various types of City-related
insurance coverage, and when necessary, researches and makes
recommendations for policy changes.
Appointees: Councilman James Richardson City Attorney Michael
Mackedon

Classification and Compensation Committee

This committee oversees and modifies as necessary the description,
classification, and compensation of all City jobs.
Appointees: Councilman Robert Erickson

Domestic Violence Task Force

This group is committed to increasing domestic violence awareness
and providing solutions for those needing aid.
Appointees: Councilwoman Kelly Frost Deputy City Attorney Robert
Erquiaga Deputy City Attorney Leonard Mackedon Chief Kevin Gehman
Captain Vernon Ulrich Danny Babiarz Ray Dolan Pam Powell Kelli
Weishaupt Karen Moessner

Western Nevada HOME Consortium

Western Nevada HOME Consortium provides down payment assistance
for low to moderate income applicants. Appointees: Councilwoman
Kelly Frost

Highway 95 Rural Development Authority

The Highway 95 Rural Development Authority was formed to highlight
central Nevada’s business environment and economic potential.

Appointees: Councilwoman Kelly Frost Councilman Robert Erickson

Western Nevada Development District (WNDD)

WNDD strives to promote and enhance collaboration towards the goal
of the development of workforce and infrastructure for economic
vitality in Western Nevada.
Appointees: Councilman Robert Erickson Deputy City Attorney
Leonard Mackedon

Municipal Service Agreement with Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe

Appointees: City Engineer Michael Miller Deputy City Clerk
Treasurer Elsie Lee Deputy City Attorney Robert Erquiaga