 Chris J. Melville, City Manager; Director Human Resources & Community Development
Administration
Community Development
Human Resources
Chris is a lifetime resident of Wendover graduating Wendover High School in 1987. He attended Utah State University where in 1992 he received a BS in Aerospace Technology - Flight with a Minor in Business Management. Chris is a FAA licensed Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor.
From 1991 to 1998, Chris was owner/operator of Icarus Aviation, Inc., and the Airport Manager for Wendover Airport, the youngest in the nation at the time. During his tenure, the Wendover Airport became certified for commercial scheduled service and operated two air carrier flights daily as part of a casino flight program, which flew to over 100 cities nationwide enplaning over 68,000 passengers annually. As well the airport completed over $12 million in airport improvements as well as initiating its Historic Properties Improvement and Preservation Program with the establishment of the "Hall of Honor"; a museum to commemorate Wendover's role in World War II and those who served.
In 1998, Chris joined the City of West Wendover's Engineering Department and within a year was appointed as the Director of the City's new Community Development Department. Later, Chris was promoted to the position of Assistant City Manager and in 2002 was appointed as the City Manager, the position he holds today along with that of Director of Community Development and Director of Human Resources.
During his time with the City of West Wendover, Chris has been involved in many progressive accomplishments for the community including: Streamlining operations of several city departments to serve the public more efficiently and effectively; establishing and promoting a positive impact managerial style focusing on employee quality, commitment, input and adherence to established standards for the city; establishing and incorporating appropriate human resource/personnel policies and procedures; initiating online services, information systems, marketing and tourism, land use planning and leading over $35 million in infrastructure investments for the community including the development of the City’s Downtown Area, construction of the new City Hall and a new Waste Water Treatment Facility among others; all in an effort to improve the community’s quality of life and provide the basis for growth and development into the future.
In managing a City, above all, Chris believes in the importance of a vision and commitment for a better community and the vision and commitment of the employees of the City to lead, foster and provide the path for that vision.
During his multi-faceted career, Chris has received many awards and honors such as: Accreditation as a Certified Public Official from Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool, Certified Airport Executive status from the SWAAAE, NPAIP Human Resource Achievement Awards, Community Service Awards from Wendover City, the prestigious Utah Airport Operator of the Year Award from Utah State Aeronautics as well as a Commendation from the United States Marine Corps for his work and commitment to the Wendover Airport, the National Air Transportation System and that of National Defense.
Chris enjoys spending all the time he can with his husband Arturo working on home projects, gardening, photography, flying, traveling as well as time with he and his husband's family members here in the U.S. and in Mexico and of course spending time with friends.
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 Vasilica Alina Ceballos, Chief Financial Officer
Born in Romania, Alina had the privilege to join the Work and Travel Program in 2006 to come to Las Vegas, Nevada during her second year of college. She met a lot of people in Las Vegas and thought it was a great opportunity for the summer, so she decided to come back to the United States the next year, 2007, to West Wendover, a small town with lots of caring people that made her feel at home.
She returned back to Romania to get her degree from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration and returned to West Wendover the summer of 2008 and met her husband and became permanent to West Wendover and has enjoyed the community since, learning English and Spanish.
Alina began her career in the gaming industry in 2008 upon returning to West Wendover as a Blackjack Dealer and within a couple years she was promoted to Assistant Shift Manager. In 2015, she had the opportunity to join Nevada State Bank as Branch Customer Service Manager and in 2018 she was promoted to Branch Manager. Her role as Branch Manager helped her excel on multiple levels including: Customer service, operations, and sales. Her goal was to be a resource for her team and help them succeed.
On December 20, 2022, Alina was appointed by the City Council as the City's Chief Financial Officer, her start date being January 9, 2023.
Alina enjoys reading, traveling throughout the world and spending time with her husband and her boys. She says, "I look forward to reaching a new milestone in the finance field and being the CFO for the City of West Wendover."
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 Anna Bartlome, City Clerk
City Clerk/ Elections
Anna is a lifetime resident of Wendover and a graduate of Wendover High School.
She has taken great pride in watching the City grow from its once small outpost in the desert to the city which it is today. Anna enjoys spending time with her family as well as reading, doing crafts, attending concerts and traveling all across the country and the globe when able.
Anna was appointed the City Clerk/Records Officer in August of 2002, the position she holds today. Among many of her duties she prepares and coordinates City Council agendas and minutes, oversees City elections, issues business licenses, is responsible for record retention and is the keeper of the official City Seal. Additionally she enjoys coordinating some of the many community events which the city sponsors on an annual basis including the July 4th activities, Christmas program and many others.
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 Raul Naranjo, Public Works Director
Public Works/ Utilities
Raul was born in Mexico, his family immigrating to the United States in 1973. He grew up in San Diego, California, where he graduated from San Diego High School in 1989.
After high school Raul joined the United States Marine Corps, and he served from 1989 to 1993. He was involved in the Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) in 1991 and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia in 1993 as an Artilleryman.
Raul also served two years in the Navy Reserves as a hydraulic specialist in a helicopter squadron stationed at North Island Naval Air Station.
After his years of military service Raul went to work for Chem-Tronics an aerospace company in the San Diego area. The company made and repaired parts for commercial and military aviation and NASA. This is where Raul began his career in the wastewater industry. He was in charge of the on-site treatment plant for industrial waste, hazmat disposal operations and his last year at the company he worked as a chemical analyst.
In 1997 Raul and his family moved to West Wendover where he worked for the local gaming industry as a slot mechanic. However, he knew he wanted to continue his career in the wastewater industry and so when a vacancy opened at the City’s wastewater treatment plant he quickly applied.
Raul was hired by the City in 2000 as a Wastewater Operator 1. Since being employed with the City, he has received several promotions including Wastewater Operators 2 and 3 and most recently he was promoted to the position of Utility Operations Manager.
Raul has been involved in several upgrades to the plant and water transmission system. Some of his major duties in the past have included managing and operating the Wastewater Treatment Facility, general water system operations and managing the Compost Facility. Raul has also served as the Laboratory Director for the Wastewater Laboratory and for the past ten years he has served the community as one of our Part Time Fire Fighter for the West Wendover Fire Department where he has achieved the rank of Lieutenant.
Raul has various Certifications including: Wastewater Operator IV, Water Distribution Operator III, Laboratory Quality Analyst I, Firefighter II and Hazmat Technician.
On a personal level Raul enjoys spending time with his family and friends and traveling.
He enjoys working for the City of West Wendover and looks forward to the challenges and great things to come as its Public Works Director.
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 Jeffrey "Jeff" Knudtson, Fire Chief & Building Official
Fire Department
Jeff spent seventeen years in the fire service in north Spokane County Washington. He was both a Chief, Battalion Chief Volunteer Firefighter and a Captain for the paid professional department. Jeff moved to West Wendover in 1984 and in 1992 became the Fire Chief for the City of West Wendover soon after the City incorporated. Since its inception, Jeff has led the Fire Department through its growth in order to keep pace with our growing community.
The Department has gone from one fire engine to thirteen pieces of fire related equipment and from seven original fire fighters to twenty. All total, the Department now has four full time paid staff with fifteen to twenty part time personnel. Under Jeff's supervision, the Department goes on about seven hundred incidents a year those numbers continuing to increase. Jeff has led the Department from one of very little experience to one which every member is nationally IFSAC certified in firefighting, auto extrication, high and confined space rope rescue, EMT basic medical response, all hazard specialized response to radiological and hazardous materials incidents, fire inspections, arson investigation and public education. The Department, under the able and professional administration of Jeff, leads the State on training and abilities of personnel to ensure the safety of citizens, their property and life.
As well as the Fire Chief, Jeff also is the City's Director of Emergency Management and the City Building Official. All four full time staff are trained and certified in several of the Building Inspection ICC Certifications. |
