Meet the Storey County Commissioners

John Flanagan,
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A 3rd generation Virginia City resident, John Flanagan was born and raised in the Silver State. Elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2002, John began his involvement with the County in 1979 when he was elected as the successor to his father as Storey County Assessor. He held that position for 16 years and then retired for nearly five years when, “I was approached to run for County Commissioner,” he explained. Today, John represents the Virginia City North and part of the Virginia City Highlands district. Additionally, he serves on a variety of County Boards and divides his time between the V & T Railroad Reconstruction Commission, the Regional Transportation Commission in Storey County, the Virginia City Convention and Tourism Authority Board, the NACO board (advisory board for counties) and the Storey County Library Board. John is a University of Nevada, Reno graduate where he obtained his bachelors degree in Economics. Upon his graduation, he worked for the Nevada Department of Transportation. “I love Virginia City—it’s my home,” shared John. “That’s why I decided to come out of retirement to serve as a Commissioner. I want to see good things happen for this community and the County.” John has been married to wife Erlene for 12 years and is immensely proud of his two grown daughters and five grandchildren. When he’s not busy serving the county, John enjoys getting out and traveling in his and Erlene’s motor home.

Greg "Bum" Hess, Chairman
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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.

Bob Kershaw-Vice Chairman
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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.