Burdel

Welsh

Chris is a lifetime resident of Wendover who graduated Wendover High School in 1987.  He attended Utah State University where in 1992, he received a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Technology - Flight with a Minor in Business Management.  Chris is a Federal Aviation Administration licensed Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor and has been given the honor and accreditation of a Certified Airport Executive from the SWAAAE.  From 1991 to 1998, Chris was owner of Icarus Aviation, Inc., and as well the Manager of the Wendover Airport.  During his tenure, the Wendover Airport became certified for commercial scheduled service and operated two air carrier flights per day as part of a casino flight program, which flew to over 100 cities nationwide, providing over 68,000 annual enplanments.  As well, during this period, the airport completed $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 small museum to commemorate Wendover's role in World War II and after.  In addition, Chris was the recipient of several honors including Community Service Awards, the prestigious 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 air transportation system of the state, the country and most importantly that of national defense.

In 1998, Chris joined the City of West Wendover in its 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.

During his time with the City of West Wendover, Chris has accomplished many goals some of which have included:  Leading an effort to streamline the operations of the Community Development/Planning Department for single-source information and processing, initiation of property acquisitions of both private and public lands, annexation initiatives, development and establishment of long-term planning goals and Master Planning including:  Land use, zoning, street and utility, recreation, city center/downtown and other community planning initiatives, initiating and providing for up-to-date information technology systems and programs including planning, finance, networking, etc., establishing and promoting a positive impact managerial style that focuses on employee quality, commitment, input and adherence to established standards.  In managing a City, above all, Chris believes in the importance of citizen vision and commitment for a better community and the vision and commitment of the employee's of the City to lead, foster and provide the path for that vision.

Chris is a member of the American Planning Association, California Local Governments Commission, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, Southwest Chapter of American Association of Airport Executives, Arizona Memorial Museum Association, American Air Museum in Britain, Aerospace Education Foundation, Local Government Managers Association as well as being a former Board Member and Vice President of the Utah Airport Operators Association and currently a Member and Chairman of the Wells Rural Electric Next Dollar Foundation.

In his spare time, Chris enjoys working on his home and yard, photography, flying, traveling and spending time with his friends and his family which include his parents and two living brothers and their families.

Michelle joined the City of West Wendover team in January 2012, appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer.  Her areas of expertise include business administration, financial analysis, gaming accounting, and internal controls.  She is excited about this new opportunity to be a part of local government accounting.  Her responsibilities include monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting to Nevada State and other entities, account analysis and forecast, budget comparisons, overseeing payroll and accounts payable, and annual financial audits. 

Michelle is originally from Ogden, Utah and a graduate of Weber High School.  She graduated from Brigham Young University in Business Administration-Finance emphasis with a minor in Accounting.  After a few brief positions as a dental office manager and a fleet sales inventory analyst, Michelle then worked for the Peppermill Casino group for 16 total years- Rainbow Hotel Casino, Wendover as assistant controller, the corporate offices in Reno as the corporate controller, and Montego Bay, Wendover as controller.  She has been involved in many committees, including the Wendover Area Commerce, Travel, and Tourism; West Wendover Recreation District Board Member; West Wendover Elementary PTO; Future Business Leaders of America-Nevada Business Partner; and Wendover Area Joint 4th of July Committee and is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association.

Michelle has enjoyed being a resident of West Wendover for twelve total years so far.  She is married with three children and has been involved with many of their school events and organizations as well as her church group activities.  In her recreational time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, scrapbooking the fun travels and family events, reading, learning how to knit, and trying to garden in the desert.

Anna is a lifetime resident of Wendover and is a graduate of Wendover High School.  She has seen our City today, grow from its simple beginnings out of the desert.  She enjoys spending time with her family as well as reading, doing crafts and traveling.  Anna became the City Clerk/Records Officer in August of 2002.  Among many of her duties anna prepares and coordinates City Council Meeting Agendas as well as agendas for the Administrative Authority, keeps appropriate minutes of such meetings, oversees City elections and record retention and is the keeper of the official City Seal.

Bryce was born in Elko, Nevada in 1960, and raised in a small town in northeastern Nevada called Montello.  Bryce attended grade school in Motello to the 8th grade and then had to travel some 50 miles one way to Wells, Nevada to attend high school. 

He graduated from Wells High School in 1978 and upon graduation, Bryce was hired by a company called Crafco.  With this company, he was given the opportunity to see and experience many new areas througout the country which he had not previously from the home area of northeastern Nevada.  After some time, he returned Montello and joined in working on his family's ranch for several years.

Bryce began his employment with the City in 1997 as a heavy equipment operator.  He and his family moved to West Wendover in 1999 and shortly thereafter he was promoted to Public Works Supervisor, serving in this capacity until his recent promotion in 2005 to Director of Public Works.  During his tenure with the City, Bryce has earned numerous certificates of public works operations and has been a signficant contributor to the many great accomplishments within the City.  When asked how he feels about being the new Public Works Director, he added, "I am honored to be given the opportunity to expand my leadership abilities with the City and delighted to continue to be a part of such an exciting and enthusiastic team."

Before moving to West Wendover Nevada Jeff spent seventeen years in the fire service in north Spokane County Washington. He was both a Battalion Chief Volunteer firefighter and a Captain for the paid professional department. Jeff moved to West Wendover in 1984 and in 1993 became the Fire Chief for the City of West Wendover soon after it was 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 twelve pieces of equipment and from seven original fire fighters to twenty-eight. All total, the department now has three full time paid staff with twenty-five part time personnel.  Under Jeff's supervision, the department goes on about six 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 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, building code compliance, 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.

Burdel Welsh joined the City of West Wendover's management team in June, 2013, as the West Wendover Chief of Police.

He comes from northeastern Kansas where he began his law enforcement career in 1975. He has served in a number of law enforcement agencies in city, county, university, state and federal jurisdictions. He has more than 15 years of service in command level law enforcement as a chief, deputy chief or undersheriff. He has also worked as a county emergency management director.

His years of service are supplemented by a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management (BS/BM) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He is a graduate of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) and has attended several law enforcement administration schools. These include the Central States Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (CS LEEDS), sponsored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas Public Administrator's Seminar (KPAS), sponsored by the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police (KACP). He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).

His family includes his wife, Cynthia, and two adult sons who both serve as law enforcement officers. Burdel and Cynthia were married in 1977 and now reside in West Wendover.

Chief Welsh encourages members of the public to meet him.