Pendleton, OR. — The Pendleton City Hall will see significant leadership changes at the end of March as Police Chief Charles “Chuck” Byram steps into a newly created assistant city manager role and longtime City Attorney Nancy Kerns retires.
Byram will assume the assistant city manager position on March 31, 2026. The new role was created to address the increasing complexity of city operations and expand administrative capacity within the City Manager’s Office.
In his new position, Byram will work alongside City Manager Robb Corbett to help implement long-term plans, coordinate daily operations across departments, and strengthen organizational efficiency and continuity.
A graduate of Pendleton High School, Byram joined the Pendleton Police Department in March 2000. Over the past 26 years, he has served in multiple roles, including field training supervisor, drug recognition expert, standardized field sobriety test instructor, clandestine lab site safety officer, and SWAT team member. He was appointed police chief on Dec. 1, 2020.
As chief, Byram focused on department stability, staffing, and collaboration with community partners. He said he looks forward to continuing to serve the city in a new capacity.
“I look forward to the new challenge while still serving the City I am proud to call home,” Byram said.
When Byram transitions into his new role, Lt. Tony Nelson will be promoted to police chief. Nelson joined the department in August 2000 and currently serves as operations lieutenant, the department’s second-in-command. He is also a SWAT team member and a defensive tactics and confrontational simulation instructor, and coaches the Pendleton High School swim team.
City Manager Robb Corbett praised both leaders.
“I recognize Chief Byram’s tremendous service in law enforcement, and I am confident in his ability to transition into this new role, as well as in Lt. Nelson’s ability as the incoming chief to carry forward the high standards established by the Pendleton Police Department,” Corbett said.
The leadership transition comes alongside the retirement of City Attorney Nancy Kerns, also effective March 31.
Originally from Klamath Falls, Kerns moved to Pendleton in 1986. She served as a deputy district attorney for Umatilla County before operating a private legal practice. She joined the city as assistant city attorney in 2006 and was promoted to city attorney in 2011, becoming the first woman in Pendleton’s history to hold the position.
Following Kerns’ retirement, city attorney services will be provided through a contract with an attorney or law firm yet to be selected.
“Each of these changes has a practical application, but they are also about confidence and service,” Corbett said. “We honor the tremendous service of Nancy Kerns, recognize both Chief Byram’s and Lt. Nelson’s service in law enforcement, and look forward to the future with confidence.”
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