WINNEMUCCA — The Winnemucca Convention & Visitors Authority has some new team members whose work continues to focus the spotlight on Winnemucca.
“We have been very blessed over the years with some great staff, and these ladies are no exception,” said Petersen of the five new employees. “We are excited to continue to provide great customer service to both local residents and visitors.”
Charlene Jones Fetterly joined the Winnemucca Events Complex more than two years ago as the Fairgrounds Administrative Clerk, managing the facility’s day-to-day activities. Upon graduating from Lowry High School in 2001, she joined the United States Army and was stationed in Watertown, New York.
After returning briefly to Winnemucca, she relocated to Battle Mountain where she and her husband are raising their four children. “Being able to work at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds where I spent a large part of my childhood is pretty amazing,” said Fetterly. “My favorite thing about Winnemucca is the personal connections I have from childhood and working daily with individuals I have known since grade school.”
Dottie McKillop moved from Reno to Winnemucca in 2007 where she worked for the Macdonald Law Offices for about nine years. In March 2021, she accepted her current position as an Administrative Clerk where she handles the majority of bookings for the convention center and events complex, walking potential customers through the property, and overseeing every event detail.
While she misses working with the Macdonald family, she said she is grateful for her new work family: “I’m hoping the future is just as bright with them.” McKillop said she loves her job, especially the chance to offer people a friendly and supportive venue and staff for the special events in their lives. She and her children are happy to call Winnemucca home; gratefully, this is also where she met her husband.
Dora Mora de Acevedo joined the WCVA as a Facilities Attendant in mid-2021. Mora is originally from Mexico. Her husband arrived in Winnemucca first, working for 14 years before she and their children were able to join. Now, 22 years later, she is grateful for the many good things Winnemucca has brought, including her new position. At the WCVA, she oversees all preparations to ensure a successful event.
Her favorite aspect of her job are her co-workers. “Everyone is so kind and accommodating,” she said. “If I have a question, they help me. I like working here very much.” As to Winnemucca, she continues to love her “new” home. “It’s very calm here,” she said. “I highly recommend it. The people are wonderful and there are good opportunities for employment.” Mora said her future lies with the WCVA. “I would like to work at the convention center for as long as I can,” she said. “I am very happy here.”
Liz Barnard grew up in the Pacific Northwest. After completing college in Fort Collins, Colorado, she moved back to the Portland area before realizing, 10 years later, that she needed sun! So, in 2010, she moved to Winnemucca. In August 2021, she began working for the WCVA as an Administrative Specialist where she administers the room tax program, assists the WCVA Board, invoices for events, oversees accounts payable, and pitches in anywhere else to help things run as smoothly as possible.
After many years of being self-employed, she said “it was tricky to find a place that was a good fit for skills that I’ve acquired in several industries and offered some room for growth.” While Winnemucca’s sun and rural setting drew her here, “the people are what have kept me here. My experience has been that we have a great community and some of the best people I’ve had the pleasure to meet living here.”
Jackquelyn “Jacy” Urain is a sixth-generation Humboldt County resident. With just a few months in her new position as the WCVA Marketing and Sales Coordinator, she feels lucky to promote “the beautiful place I call home.” After graduating from Lowry High School, she continued her education at the University of Nevada, Reno, and Truckee Meadows Community College. Upon completing her degree, she moved back to Winnemucca to fill her mother’s Michelle Hammond Allen’s, shoes—literally—by accepting the same position she held for 15 years. “Over the years I was able to work alongside my mom volunteering for all the events Winnemucca hosts,” said Urain. “I have loved the challenge of making similar connections within and outside of the community and continuing to promote and bring events to Winnemucca and Humboldt County.”
The Winnemucca Convention & Visitors Authority oversees the West Hall and East Hall of the Winnemucca Convention Center and the Winnemucca Events Complex. For more information or to inquire about facility usage, please call (775) 623-5071, or visit www.winnemucca.com.