Born and raised in Eastern Idaho, Bud Cranor came to the City of Idaho Falls after working for 15 years for the city of Henderson, Nevada, where served in various capacities including the Director of the Department of Communications and Council Support, Public Information, Special Assistant to the Mayor and Council, and Senior Communications Officer.
He served as the city’s spokesperson and directed the city’s public information efforts, including emergency communications, issue and crisis communications, public information and education, media liaison activities, employee communications and the city’s graphics, videography and photography, print shop and mail services center. During his tenure, he oversaw a staff of nearly 40 people and a multimillion-dollar budget responsible for the administrative and constituent affairs for the Henderson Mayor and Council. In addition, Cranor had administrative oversight of Contact Henderson, the city’s customer relationship management system.
Prior to his work in Henderson, Cranor served as the Director of Nevada Governor Kenny C. Guinn’s Southern Nevada Office and was a member of the governor’s senior staff from 1998 to 2003. In that capacity, he was the governor’s representative on the State Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission and was the liaison to the Division of Emergency Management and Department of Public Safety. He was the governor’s representative to the White House following the 9/11 tragedy to give input and receive briefings regarding the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.
Appointed by Governor Brian Sandoval in July 2013, Cranor was also a member of the Nevada State Board of Engineers and Land Surveyors. He also served on the APPLE Partnership Executive Committee, promoting reading and early childhood literacy.
He previously served on the Nevada Governor’s Merit Awards Board, the Nevada State Quarter Commission and the state of Nevada Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission. In addition, he served on the Clark County School District Emergency Response Plan Review Committee, the CCSD Bond Oversight Committee and the Voices in Voting board of directors.
In 2008, Cranor received the Golden Apple Award from CCSD for his support of literacy and education. The Henderson Community Foundation named him their 2005 Outstanding Citizen. In 2004, he received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from BYU-Idaho. He has also been recognized by the Public Relations Society of America and International Association of Business Communicators.