National Senior Pro Rodeo Association

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2014 HALL OF FAME

Tom Collins

Tom “Commish” Collins was born in San Francisco and moved to Southern Nevada when he was two years old. He began his rodeo career in the Little Britches Rodeo Association and then the Las Vegas High School Rodeo Association where he was a National Qualifier in Bull Riding.

After graduating from Western High School, he received a scholarship to rodeo for Midwestern University and later for Texas Tech, competing in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.

After college Tom moved back to Southern Nevada and began working in construction before joining the IBEW apprenticeship program to eventually become a Journeyman Lineman for Nevada Power installing power lines for 18+ years and later started his own company, Collins Power Services.

Always one to give back to the community in which he lives, Tom spent many hours mentoring and encouraging youth as a baseball coach from Little League to American Legion, a Pop Warner football coach, a youth basketball coach and is still a member of the Boy Scouts of America Las Vegas Area Council.

Tom served on the North Las Vegas Planning Commission for 7 years, retiring as Chairman. His strong commitment to public service prompted him to run for Nevada State Assembly in 1992. He won and was elected to the first of 5 terms in the Nevada State Legislature. In 2004 he ran for the Clark County Commission and was elected to his first of three terms.

Currently serving in his final term as Clark County Commissioner, Tom sits on many boards and committees. He is the Chairman of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), a board member for Las Vegas Events and is a member of the NFR Committee.

“Commish” was involved in the discussions between the PRCA and Las Vegas Events to keep the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas for the next 10 years. Tom also serves on the NACO Executive Committee, the NACO Board of Directors, the Nevada Legislative Committee on Public Lands, the AB227 Nevada Land Management Task Force and many others.

Tom has remained active in rodeo and the agricultural lifestyle in many capacities during his political career. He continued competing in rodeo in bareback, saddle bronc, team roping, steer wrestling and bull riding over the years through his memberships in various amateur associations, the RCA and PRCA.

He joined the NSPRA in 1993 and was a NSPRA Bareback Qualifer in 1994 & 1995. He has been a devoted supporter and friend to the UNLV Rodeo team for many years. He is an avid supporter and contributor to the Las Vegas High School Rodeo Association and Junior High Rodeo Association, as well as many high school and junior high rodeo clubs throughout the state of Nevada,

He formerly raised beef cattle and currently raises bucking stock that is used in many levels of rodeo, including the Nevada Junior High Finals, Nevada High School Finals, West Coast Regional Collegiate Finals and many other amateur rodeos and jackpots.

Through his concern for agriculture and the western way of life, Tom is also a member of the Nevada Horse Council, Nevada Cattleman’s Association, Clark County Junior Livestock Association, Elks Las Vegas #1468, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, is a Lifetime Member of the Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn and continues to be involved in various political and non-profit organizations.

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