About Us

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My name is Mark Jones, and I am running for Lyon County Commissioner for District #5, and I am asking for your vote. 

My wife and I moved to Wellington 6 years ago and created Dunmovin Ranch, and our home. We got busy in the community, and I was appointed to the Smith Valley Citizens Advisory Board. After spending some time on the Board, I was appointed to the County Planning Commission, where I am still a Commissioner (Vice-Chairman). This has been a great opportunity to learn what the county needs in order to progress and see how the county commissioners work. I am a big believer that if you want to run for a job, you can’t just show up when the job is available. You must be active and involved in the process. I have done this!

I have been in senior management for 55 years and will bring that experience to Lyon County. I have been very successful in every field I have entered into. I have my Gold Retirement Badge from the fire service in Novato, CA. as a firefighter/EMT. I managed for some of the largest retailers in the country. I had my own financial service franchise where I was licensed in Securities, Insurance and Real Estate and served as a Regional Vice-President. 

I sold my business and entered into the gaming business as a dealer and worked my way up to a Casino Shift Manager at a large tribal casino in San Diego. We had over 3000 employees.

I believe that our county is a business and should be run as such. We need to assure that we have a balanced budget at all times. Hard decisions need to be made for the betterment of the county and its constituents. We need to become a county where it is easy to do business. That is not the case now. We need to make things happen at the speed of business and not the speed of government. Story County issues grading permits within 3 days and building permits within 6 weeks. We need to be as good or better.

As our county grows, so are the demands on our services like law enforcement, fire, roads, water and sewage. It takes tax revenue to support this growth, and we need to find ways to grow this through bringing tax generating businesses to Lyon County. 

Our Sherriff is doing such a great job, his administrative staff are overwhelmed. We do not have the revenue to fix the problem currently. 

If elected, I will focus on reducing the time it take to get a building permit and growing the tax base. Lyon County will become a business-friendly county. My wife and I have been very active members of the Lyon County Republican Central Committee, and we strive to support conservative, family values in our leaders. I am a veteran and will continue to serve.

Job history: 

I have worked since I was 6 years old doing door-to-door sales, running a paper route, running a city licensed lawn care business at 12 and working in fast foods as an Assistant Manager of a Wiener schnitzel. I started busing tables at an officers club and worked my way up to assistant cook and waiter. 

I am an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow

In 1970, I joined the USAFR and became a 7-level Aircraft Electrician and worked on the C-124 and C-130. I was Chairman of the Airman’s Safety Advisory Committee and Chairman of the Generals Airman Advisory Committee. I retired in 1976 when our base closed. I am proud to be a Vietnam era veteran!

I worked in a small grocery store in San Francisco where I learned the retail business. I moved to Marin County, CA and went to work in a small grocery chain and worked my way up to Assistant Manager. Our store was sold to Alpha Beta, so I went to work for them. I was moved to Assistant Manager quickly. 

Lucky Stores came in and bought the Alpha Beta I was in, so I went to work for them as an Assistant Manager. During this time I became a Volunteer Fire Fighter and EMT and served as President of the association for 3 years. I received my Gold Retirement Badge for my service. I was elected as Vice-President of the United Food and Commercial Workers union and elected as the Delegate to the Central Labor Council.

I was a lobbyist for the Beverage industry also during this time. Busy people always find time to do more and serve more.

I left the retail business to work in financial services. I started my own franchise with ALW and became a Regional Vice President. I had my Insurance Licenses, Real Estate License and Securities license. I was the #1 securities producer of the year. One of the ladies working part-time for me was making a lot of money dealing poker at the cardroom up the street. I sold my interest in the business and started dealing Texas Hold’em. The money was great with no stress. I was promoted to floor manager shortly after starting. It was the wild west there and after a while my wife and I went to work for Home Depot where I worked my way up to Assistant Manager. I was awarded the Top Gun award by corporate management. I took my paint department from #11 on the West Coast to #1. I instituted the stainless-steel mixing areas you see in the stores today and moved them to the front of the store. I also was the only store facing the product. All stores are faced now.

I graduated from San Francisco State College with a BS degree in Business with minors in marketing and advertising. I have many other certifications from both military and public service.

I moved to San Diego to take care of my parents and went to work in the tribal gaming profession. I did this for 8 years and became the day-shift casino manager. This is a large casino that employed around 3000 employes. I left there in 2003 to start my own gaming company called INAG and have been there since. I have been issued 24 utility patents for my inventions and grew it to a large card-based gaming company. We operate our showroom locally. We also do business with companies around the globe.

I am a member of International Masters of Gaming Law. This is an invitation only organization of gaming Attorneys, regulators, and individuals that have taken on legal challenges and won. I am the only person in history to change a states gaming regulations singlehandedly by inventing a way to offer both craps and roulette where they would be otherwise prohibited. I did it in California and Oklahoma. 

Service 

Boy Scouts

Foster Parents

CASA

Homeless shelter volunteers

Volunteer Firefighter EMT

Lions

Elks

Eagles

Masons (Past Master)

Shriners (Past President, Ambassador (we drove children to their Dr. appointments)

Scottish Rite

Royal Order Of Scotland 

Smith Valley Advisory Board (SVCAB)

Lyon County Planning Commission 

Lyon County Republican Central Committee

I was the Chair of the 2024 Republican Convention. 

My wife and I were a major part of creating a veterans section in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Smith Valley and donated all the statues and the military flag. My wife and I worked with Sam Brown and Ken Grey and spent time and money in their pursuits. I donated to many campaigns and held town halls for all to attend.  We have 5 children, 13 Grand Children and 5 Great Grand Children. I have served this community in many capacities and with your vote will continue to do so. I would appreciate your support and vote. 

My Wife Sherly and I moved to   Lyon County, Nevada for its affordable living, small-town feel, and abundant outdoor recreation, with benefits like no state income tax and proximity to bigger cities like Carson City.

Lyon offers wide-open spaces, natural beauty, and a business-friendly environment, attracting families and professionals seeking a quieter lifestyle with access to nature and history. 

Positive Lifestyle

1. Affordable Living: Housing costs and general expenses are generally lower than in California and larger Nevada cities, with more land available.
2. Outdoor Paradise: Excellent for outdoor enthusiasts with mountains, rivers, and open spaces for gardening, animals, and recreation, ranking high for outdoor activities in Nevada.
3. Small-Town Charm: Friendly communities where people know each other, offering a slower pace and strong sense of community.
4. Business-Friendly: Low property taxes and no state income tax, plus industrial parks in Dayton, Fernley, and Yerington with major employers like Amazon and Oakley.
5. Proximity: Close to Carson City and Reno, providing access to more amenities and the Northern California market.
6. Rich History & Culture: A long history with family-friendly events celebrating its heritage. 

Areas to Improve

1. Affordable Housing Crisis: Finding truly affordable housing is a significant challenge, with rents rising and development stalled.
2. Our Children are leaving for greener pastures.  We must bring jobs and housing to our communities, or else we will become a ghost town.
3. Healthcare Access: A federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area, meaning limited access to physical, mental, and dental providers, especially mental health services.