The board of directors for the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) has voted unanimously to grant an early separation agreement for the contract of embattled RSCVA CEO Charles Harris, departed at the end of June instead of the original termination date of October 31.
According to terms of the agreement reported by the Reno Gazette-Journal, Harris received his usual salary through the end of June, and nothing further—the RSCVA made sure to point out to the newspaper that this is “not a severance or a buyout.”
In order to facilitate the arrangement, the RSCVA agreed to waive a 90-day notice period for early termination, and Harris will have 21 days to review the terms of the separation agreement and sign it.
Harris’ unceremonious departure from the RSCVA is indicative of his entire tenure with the agency, which began in late 2020.
Shortly after his hiring, in December of that year, local outlet This is Reno reported that a number of RSCVA staff were heard criticizing Harris on a hot mic after a meeting for his refusal to give employees back pay after Covid-related wage cuts.
Additionally, others often criticized the CEO for his apparent lack of involvement with or connection to the Reno-Sparks community, including not purchasing a home in the area and spending long stretches of time away on personal trips.
