Story by City of West Wendover Staff

After more than 28 years of service to the City of West Wendover, City Manager Chris Melville will retire with his last day being August 7^th, bringing to a close a remarkable career devoted to the community he has proudly called home his entire life.

Born and raised in Wendover, the youngest of 4 sons to LaMar and Dixie Melville, Chris graduated from Wendover High School in 1987 before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Technology–Flight with a minor in Business Management from Utah State University. Although his career began in aviation including being a commercial pilot and flight instructor while also owning his own company (Icarus Aviation, Inc.) and serving as the Airport Manager of the Wendover Airport at age 22, the youngest in the nation at the time, his commitment to public service ultimately led him to the City of West Wendover in March 1998.

Chris joined the city’s Engineering Department and quickly demonstrated the vision, leadership, and dedication that would define his career. Within a year, he was appointed Director of the newly created Community Development Department and was asked to serve also as the Assistant City Manager.  In 2001 he took on the role of acting City Manager and in early 2002 was officially appointed City Manager, a position he has faithfully served in since.

Throughout his career, Chris has approached every challenge with a deep commitment to improving the quality of life for West Wendover residents through setting a positive environment for city services and infrastructure which both private and public investments are contingent upon. His leadership has helped guide the city through decades of growth including modernizing city services, planning, human resources, major infrastructure improvements and investments totaling nearly $70 million through the creative use of funding programs including grants, loans and other sources all while keeping the city on a strong financial footing. 

These investments have included projects such as the city’s Industrial Park development, Leppy Hills Trails, the City Hall, Waste Water facilities, thousands of new acres for the city’s future development under the Air Force Property Conveyance, street beautification projects and construction of new streets and thoroughfares such as Florence Way Phases 2 and 3, Leppy Hills Boulevard and N. Florence Way, the new Fire Station, the city’s Downtown Development District and many other important projects some of which are now underway but will be completed after his retirement. 

When asked what project Chris considers his favorite, he gave the following response:  

“It is not easy to choose one project as there are so many and they have all been so important to the future of the community but right near the top would have to be Wendover Will being rehabilitated and erected as the City Center Monument in 2005.  Wendover would not be what it is without Wendover Will, our local and State of Nevada icon.  Ensuring that masterpiece of a cowboy first erected by Bill and Anna Smith (State Line Hotel/Casino) in 1952, with the longest length of neon in the world and the waving hands; not ending up in a boneyard or scrap pile but instead he remains where he always was meant to be, overlooking the skyline of our community, greeting us every morning and every night with that tipped back cowboy hat, his great smile, wink of an eye and flick of his cigarette, his trusty big iron hanging on his side and his silver spurs glimmering… what could be better than that!”

Just as important as the projects themselves has been Chris's leadership style. He has always believed that a successful city is built by dedicated employees working together toward a shared vision. His focus on teamwork, professionalism, fairness and service has helped foster a culture of collaboration and excellence throughout the city organization.

As someone who grew up in Wendover, Chris has never simply worked for the community, he has invested in it. His passion for preserving its history, planning for its future, and creating opportunities for continued growth has left a lasting mark on West Wendover and the people who call it home.

Over the course of his career, Chris has received numerous professional awards and recognitions which reflect his commitment to public service and leadership some of those awards being:  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 the City of Wendover, Utah, 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.  And, at what was his last working City Council Meeting on July 21^st, Mayor Jasie Holm issued a Mayoral Proclamation commending Chris’s efforts which “have strengthened our community, enriched the lives of our residents, and exemplified the values of integrity, service, and community spirit.”  The Mayor and City Council then honored Chris by providing him the Key to the City, an honor which has never been bestowed to an appointed officer in the city’s 35 years.  

When accepting the honor Chris made some final comments about the city and its organization with a few poignant remarks as he attempted to hold back his emotions saying, “I want to thank the current and previous Mayors and City Council Members who have given me their support and the opportunities to do this work.  You are often not thanked for your service which is done voluntarily even though you are often the targets of criticism.  The fact that you serve, clearly shows how much you love and care for your community.  So let me say it now, for myself and others, thank you.” He continued, “I want to thank all our great city employees who I have had the opportunity to lead, I’m going to miss them all very much, even if they don’t realize it.”  Additionally, he made a comment to the new City Manager Simon Kim saying, “Simon, you have a great team surrounding you and good leaders beside you; take care of the city and the city will take care of you” and ending his comments with “God bless you all”.

Though these honors are meaningful, perhaps his greatest accomplishment is the lasting impact he has made on the community through nearly three decades of dedicated service.   And while his retirement marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in the city's history and his own, the impact of his leadership will continue to be felt for many years to come. The roads traveled, trails walked, buildings constructed, plans set in motion, and the strong organization he helped build all stand as part of his lasting legacy.

The Mayor, City Council and Staff on behalf of the West Wendover community, wish to extend our deepest gratitude to Chris for his years of service, leadership, and friendship. We wish him and his husband, Arturo, every happiness as they begin this well-earned new chapter in life.