Byram moves into new Assistant City Manager, Kerns retires
Changes are coming to Pendleton City Hall and to the way the City of Pendleton operates at its highest levels.
On March 31, 2026, Pendleton Police Chief Charles (Chuck) Byram will move into a newly created role: assistant city manager. The assistant city manager position is designed to support the growing complexity of city operations and to provide additional administrative capacity within the City Manager’s Office. As assistant city manager, Byram will support City Manager Robb Corbett in the administration of city operations, with a focus on implementing long-term plans, coordinating day-to-day work across departments, and supporting organizational efficiency and continuity.
A graduate of Pendleton High School, Byram joined the Pendleton Police Department in March 2000. During his time with Pendleton Police, Byram has served in a variety of roles, including field training supervisor, drug recognition expert, standardized field sobriety test instructor, clandestine lab site safety officer, and SWAT team member. He stepped into the department’s top role on Dec. 1, 2020.
As police chief, Byram has focused on department stability and staffing, collaboration with community partners, and maintaining a culture of excellence within the department. Byram plans to bring those skills to the new position.
“I look forward to the new challenge while still serving the City I am proud to call home,” Byram said.
When Byram moves into the assistant city manager role, Lt. Tony Nelson will be promoted to the position of police chief. Nelson joined the Pendleton Police Department in August 2000 and currently serves as the operations lieutenant, the department’s second-in-command. Nelson is a member of the SWAT team and a defensive tactics and confrontational simulation instructor. He is also an active member of the community and coaches the Pendleton High School swim team.
“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,” City Manager Robb Corbett said.
The administrative changes will occur alongside the retirement of longtime City Attorney Nancy Kerns on March 31. Originally from Klamath Falls, Kerns came to Pendleton in 1986. She served as a deputy district attorney for Umatilla County before running her own private legal practice for many years. Kerns became assistant city attorney for the City of Pendleton in 2006 and was promoted to city attorney in 2011, becoming the first woman in Pendleton history to hold the position.
Kerns retires after a distinguished career with the City of Pendleton. City attorney services will be provided through a contract with an attorney or legal firm yet to be determined.
“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.”