About NHUC

The Nevada Highway Users Coalition is a statewide group of citizens, business leaders, labor unions, elected officials and community organizations concerned about Nevada’s transportation infrastructure. Originally formed during the 2007 Legislative Session, the coalition has launched a public education campaign to ensure that Nevadans are aware of the looming crisis facing the state’s road and highway system.

Nevada has a multi-billion dollar shortfall in the funding available for the state’s transportation needs. This problem must be addressed to ensure that Nevadans maintain a high quality of life, are safe while traveling in their vehicles and see their tax dollars spent in the most efficient manner possible.

It is the NHUC’s mission to educate the public about this looming crisis and take an active role in all efforts to find potential solutions.

NHUC Board of Directors

• Darrell Armuth - A native of Elko, Darrell graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1979 with a degree in Business Administration. A licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Nevada since 1984, he opened Armuth Asset Management in 1994. Married for 23 years with three children, Darrell is current president of Reno South Rotary and sits on the board of Restart, Inc., a non-profit agency serving the needs of northern Nevada’s homeless population.
  
  
• Leigh Berdrow - As a citizen, parent and educator, Leigh has a deep concern about Nevada’s roads and the safety of the state’s young drivers. Leigh is the administrator and co-founder of the Academy for Career Education, a career and technical high school serving northern Nevada. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno and a Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership & Administration from University of Phoenix. She previously worked for Sierra Pacific Power Company and was a teacher at Reed High School in Reno for four years.
  
  
• Robert A. Cashell - Bob Cashell has over thirty-five years of entrepreneurial, executive, and governmental leadership throughout Nevada. Bob began his business, civic and community service in 1967 when he and four friends purchased a dusty little truck stop west of Reno called Bill & Effies. Shortly thereafter Bob changed the name to Boomtown and converted it into one of northern Nevada’s most successful tourist destinations before he sold it in 1985. Bob is currently serving his second term as Mayor of the City of Reno and previously served as Nevada’s Lieutenant Governor and as chairman of the State Board of Regents. He is Chairman of Cashell Enterprises, Inc. Bob is a Veteran of the United States Air Force and a graduate of Stephen F. Austin University. He and his wife Nancy have four grown children and eight grandchildren.
  
  
• Arjun Dhingra - Arjun Dhingra, a Northern Nevada resident for 25 years, graduated from the University of Nevada in 2002 with a Marketing degree. Currently, he serves Flagstar Bank as the Sales and Business Development manager for the Reno and Las Vegas Markets. He has worked in this industry since graduating from the University and remains involved with the campus, sitting as the President of the Sigma Nu Fraternity Housing Corporation. Within the community, he donates his time to youth programs. Participating in career outreach for local high-schools, coaching youth football, and also teaching and training in TaeKwon-Do for 21 years. He recently had the honor of representing his country on Team USA in the TaeKwon-Do World Championships in England, where he captured the lone gold medal amongst the adult team.
  
  
• Jack Harker- Jack Harker is a Reno native. After graduating from Reno High School, Jack went to work at Sierra Pacific Power Company until 1965. In 1965, Jack went to work for his dad and uncle, the owners of Harker & Harker Electrical Contractors. In 1977, Jack and his brother took over the company and owned it until 1998 when they were purchased by Quanta Corp., parent company of PAR Electrical. Jack still serves as a consultant to Harker & Harker. He is married and has two grown children.
  
  
• Danny L. Thompson
  Executive Secretary Treasurer, Nevada State AFL-CIO
  Danny L. Thompson has served as Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Nevada State AFL-CIO since elected in 1999. Serving as the first Political Director prior to being elected as the Chief Officer, Danny has directed the organization with 125 affiliates and more than 225,000 members state-wide to be one of the most effective labor movements in the country.
  
  Recognized nationally for his involvement in preventing anti-labor and divisive initiatives such as Pay Check Deception and TABOR from becoming law, Danny was also the architect of the successful Constitutional Amendment to raise the minimum wage in Nevada and continues to be a strong voice for labor in all policy debates.
  
  Born in Henderson, Nevada, Danny L. Thompson began his career at Stauffer Chemical Company, joining the Steelworkers of America. He eventually was elected President of Local #5282 at age 25. In 1980 Danny was elected to the Nevada State Assembly where he served as Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee, Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, and Vice-Chairman of the Labor and Management Committee. Additionally he served as Vice-Chairman of the Nevada Public Lands Commission.
  
  Danny Thompson has been recognized by many groups and organizations for his accomplishments and serves on countless boards and commissions.
  
  
• Lolene Terry
  Ms. Terry is the Vice President and Department Manager of HDR’s Las Vegas office. She is a registered professional engineer and has 27 years of experience managing multi-discipline projects, which recently include major interchanges, arterials, and flood control. Ms. Terry has prepared PS&E documents for projects ranging from $10 to $300 million. She has an excellent ability to manage, supervise, schedule and budget for engineering projects. These skills provide clients with projects that are on budget and on schedule, and that meet the clients’ requirements and needs.
  
  
• John Wilson - John Wilson is the founder and former owner of MedicWest Ambulance. He currently serves as General Manager of Las Vegas Operations for MedicWest Ambulance and American Medical Response – Las Vegas. As recognition for the company’s outstanding performance, John accepted the North Las Vegas “Large Business of the Year Award” in 2003. John is currently Vice Chair of Government Affairs for the North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. He is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and is the past Co-Chair of the North Las Vegas Economic Development Alliance. John has served on the Boards of Directors for the Las Vegas West Rotary Club, American Diabetes Association, Clark County Health District EMS Medical Advisory Board and Community College Foundation.
  
  
• Chris Vargas - Chris has a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Economics, which he earned at the University of Nevada, Reno. While completing his degree, Chris was also quarterback for the Nevada Wolf Pack (1990-93). After he completed his degree in 1994, Chris joined the Edmonton Eskimos, a team in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Chris played in the CFL from 1994 to 1998. As a result of his football career, Chris knows the importance of teamwork, planning, and implementation.

  After retiring from the CFL in 1998, Chris joined the finance industry. Currently, Chris is a partner at Legacy Wealth Planning, Chris' area of expertise is in analyzing both short and long-term needs, while helping individuals, small business owners, and non-profits define their investment goals and appropriate investments to achieve those goals. Chris continues to be involved with football and the University of Nevada, Reno. Chris has been married to wife Katie for 13 years. They have two sons, Nickolas, 5, and Drew, 3. Chris also likes to play golf, ski, and snowmobile.