Meet the Storey County Commissioners



Bob Kershaw - Chairman
Contact Bob Kershaw
Bob Kershaw was elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2000 and re-elected in 2004. Bob has lived in Nevada since 1989 after being “transplanted” from Southern California. “I decided I wanted to live in the area I vacationed to.” He originally made his home in Reno, but after only three short months, relocated to Storey County. Today, Bob lives in Lockwood, which is only 10 miles from downtown Reno, but according to him, is “a world away.” Bob got his start in community involvement in 1993 with the Canyon General Improvement District, and then in 1997 as a School Board Trustee. Encouraged by family and friends, he then decided to run for County Commissioner and was elected to represent District 3, an area encompassing a portion of the Virginia City Highlands and the "River District" ranging from Lockwood/Rainbow Bend out to Painted Rock. Bob has worked at Circus Circus in Reno for 16 years where he holds the position of Engineering Supervisor. Married to wife Kathleen, Bob is a proud father of three step-children and his two grown children from a previous marriage.


Greg "Bum" Hess, Vice Chairman
Contact Greg Hess

Born as Greg Hess, “Bum” was nicknamed by his father at five years old when he began boxing. “The name just stuck with me,” said Bum Hess, a 5th generation Nevadan, born and raised in Storey County. He began his public service for Storey County on the Water Board in 1990 and went on to follow in his father’s footsteps as a Commissioner. His dad served as a Storey County Commissioner for ten years. Elected to the Board of Commissioners in 1998, Bum currently oversees Planning and Administration, Public Works and the Fire Department’s operations for the Storey County. Bum represents the interests in the districts of Mark Twain, Virginia City South and Gold Hill. “I decided to run for Commissioner because I saw all the drastic changes happening in Reno and the surrounding areas. I knew that Storey County would also be changing and I wanted to help ensure things would be moving in the right direction,” explained Bum. Part of Bum’s vision for Storey County is to maintain its rural charm, “that’s why we live here.” He also works to help ensure the County is solvent and not reliant on other counties for monetary funds. Upon graduating from Virginia City High School in 1984, Bum went on to College of the Siskiyous on a basketball scholarship and later found his way back to the Silver State and the University of Nevada, Reno. Eventually, Bum went to work in gold and silver mines with his father in Arizona and Nevada. Bum is a licensed contractor creating custom homes in Northern Nevada, many of which are in Storey County. He and his wife Christy have two sons, Clinton and Colton. In his spare time, Bum enjoys hunting and fishing. 

 
William "Bill" Sjovangen
Contact Bill Sjovangen

Bill Sjovangen was elected to a four year term, as Storey County' Commissioner for District 1, on November 2nd, 2010. Bill is a long time Highlands resident who has honorably served his county as well as his community for several years.  Bill’s experience covers more than forty years of public service. Starting in the Air Force in 1963 as an Aircraft Mechanic he advanced his skills in aviation to include degrees in Aerospace Management, Aviation Science and later acquired a Commercial Pilot certificate. Prior to his departure from the Air Force in 1971 he also completed a degree in US History. In 1972 Bill went to work full time for the Nevada Air Guard and filled a number of positions including Logistics, Recruiting, Public Affairs and Benefits. After Bill retired in 1996 he opened a business in Virginia City that won the Governor’s Tourism Development Award. In 1997 he was elected President of the Virginia City Chamber of Commerce and served two terms.  Bill spent several years assisting the Virginia City Convention and Tourism Authority and was appointed Director in 2004.