Eric Brown’s Washoe County “Success Story”

Oh, Phil Tenneson you are truly a gift that keeps on giving. We are, of course, blocked from Mr. Brown’s social media so thanks much for sharing.

Well golly. It appears former Washoe County Manager Eric Brown has been job-hunting for about six months now—with no takers.

Are we surprised? Not even a little.

Brown governed from an ivory tower, punching down on rank-and-file employees, rewarding his direct reports, while turning a blind eye to taxpayers. Instead, he made sure to reward his inner circle—Bob Lucey, Vaughn Hartung, Alexis Hill, and Mariluz Garcia—while the people footing the bill were treated as an inconvenience.

And here’s the part Brown should know: multiple entities he’s inquired of have contacted us directly. They asked about our reporting. We were happy to oblige—by forwarding public records backing every story we’ve written. Receipts matter.

Let’s rewind to May 28, 2024. Kim Koschmann stood before the Board of County Commissioners, visibly shaken, making a tearful public plea about her fear of the executive director of the Karma Box Project. Brown sat there, eyes down, unmoved. He didn’t speak. He didn’t pause the process. He didn’t intervene.

Why? Because, according to Brown, “there was no one else to do the work.”

Let that sink in.

A woman expresses fear in public, and the county manager’s response is essentially: too bad, we need the guy because he will do the work. That reasoning doesn’t age well—especially when interviewing for leadership roles in 2026.

And Brown wasn’t alone. He had the backing of nearly the entire commission—except Commissioner Mike Clark. Even the DA’s office, via Mary Kandaras, appeared willing to run cover for Grant Denton. So much for “girl power.”

See that big yellow EXHIBIT sticker … doesn’t that mean this is evidence so how could Kate Thomas claim she didn’t know where the photo came from and why would DA Mary Kandaras use this as a reason to get a TRO against Clark. And why did DA Chris Hicks not step in. Why didn’t Judge Pierre Hascheff at least ask a question or two before he rubber stamped his approval of the TRO after an eight minute review of the documents.

We also remember how Brown treated his so-called friend Mike Clark—helping push through a TRO signed by Kandaras herself, not the alleged victim, while glossing over inconvenient facts like an exhibit sticker on the very photo claimed to be “unknown.” An evidence sticker. Come on. Hey, just in case you want to take a look at the case McKissick v. City of Reno, 3:17-cv-00458.

Then there’s the unforgettable body-cam video of Brown’s wife reminding officers—while being arrested—that her husband was the Washoe County Manager. Even more unforgettable? The special treatment that followed.

Brown’s management style was consistent: remove female executives by suggesting they “needed a rest,” as if women simply couldn’t handle leadership. We can only imagine the quiet satisfaction Cari-Ann Burgess and Amber Howell might feel now, after Brown all but derailed their careers and reputations.

Funny thing—none of Brown’s powerful friends seem eager to offer him a landing spot. Why? Because they know what we know.

Christmas 2025, must’ve been rough without that big taxpayer-funded bonus. We hear Brown spent the holidays at former Commissioner Marsha Berkbigler’s house—the same Berkbigler who brought him to Washoe County in the first place. Yet in 2024, Brown all but backed Hill in the commission race. Odd right?

We remember Brown nodding off on the dais. We remember him protecting those who protected him—example the Porter Group. We remember a county manager who served power, not people.

So sure—if you’ve got an opening, think of Eric Brown.

Just don’t call us for a recommendation.