Joseph William Mayer - Class of 1961

        Joseph William Mayer was born in Sparks, Nevada February 10th, 1943. Mayer went to Kate Smith Elementary, Sparks Intermediate School, and Sparks High School. He participated in many extra-curricular activities: Boy’s Block “S”, Latin Club, Student Council, and national Honor Society. Other extra-curricular activities included football, basketball, and track. Mayer also took on leadership roles such as Freshman Class Vice President, Junior Class President, President of National Honor Society, and Student Body Vice President. After a successful and fulfilling four years of high school, Mayer attended the University of Nevada, Reno and graduated with a bachelor’s degree of Science in Management.

            Mayer served in the Navy for nearly four years during the time of the Vietnam War, and afterwards, worked under the various companies that would eventually lead him to the real estate business. Joseph Mayer’s biggest achievements are his two daughters, his grandchildren, and the opportunity to give back to his community. Mayer’s involvement in the community includes Past Trustee and Chair of the Reno/Tahoe Airport Authority, Past member and Chair of the Sparks Planning Commission and the Regional Planning Commission, Recipient of the DeBoer Excellence in Planning Award from the Nevada Chapter of the American Planning Associates, and recipient of the 1988 Citizen of the Year Award for the Sparks Chamber of commerce. Mayer spends most of his time traveling and exploring the rest of the world and the people in it. As he told it, “Seek people that are positive and help change life, everyone had something to offer in life.”

Inducted 2014