Timeless Trailblazer

On November 3, 2025, a black SUV pulled to the curb outside Abingdon Company’s brand-new downtown Las Vegas showroom. The crowd gathered for the grand opening (which also marked Abingdon Co.’s 18th anniversary) watched with excitement as Mayor Shelley Berkley stepped out.

Before any formalities, Berkley broke into a warm smile and greeted Abingdon founder and CEO Abingdon Mullin with an enthusiastic first request: “I want to buy a watch. Do you have something in black and gold?”

Moments later, the Mayor was fastening a limited-edition WASP watch around her wrist – a two-tone gold-and-silver timepiece with a black leather strap that perfectly matched her style. It wasn’t just a ceremonial gesture; it was a genuine show of support. The ribbon was cut amid cheers, officially opening the showroom, and the Mayor of Las Vegas became the company's newest Crew Member.

Mayor Berkley’s presence at the opening wasn’t symbolic. Her life and career have been built around action. Raised in Las Vegas, Shelley was the first person in her family to attend college, graduating from UNLV in 1973 where she even served as student body president. Born Rochelle Levine in New York City to a family of modest means, she moved to Nevada as a girl when her parents decided to make a new start in a then-small desert town. Her grandparents, Jewish immigrants from Europe, had instilled in her parents a profound gratitude for the opportunities America gave them. That legacy was not lost on Shelley. “I wanted to give something back to this country for having taken my family in,” she has said of what drove her into public service. Armed with ambition and a law degree, she returned to her beloved city to start a career – and a mission.

In the 1980s, Shelley Berkley began breaking barriers. She became a Nevada state assemblywoman in 1983, and later served on the State Board of Regents overseeing higher education. By 1998, Las Vegas had grown exponentially, and so had Shelley’s impact. She won election to Congress as the first woman to represent Nevada’s First District, proudly serving seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. During those 14 years, she earned a reputation for tireless dedication – even being nicknamed the “hardest working woman in politics” for her energy and effectiveness. Her focus was never about partisan spotlight but about people: she championed causes like veterans’ healthcare, senior citizens’ well-being, education access, and consumer protection. From helping build a new VA medical center in Southern Nevada to authoring laws that protect car buyers and senior citizens, Shelley’s career has been defined by solving real problems for her community.

What drives Mayor Berkley at her core is the belief that challenges are meant to be met with resolve. Colleagues and friends describe her as fearless, genuine, and endlessly curious. Over the decades, she has navigated male-dominated arenas with confidence and grace, never letting the word “no” stop her. As a mother of two (and now a grandmother), she also understands the importance of lifting up the next generation. It’s common to find Shelley mentoring young women interested in public service or law, just as she’s done through various community programs in Las Vegas. Her values—hard work, education, inclusivity, and perseverance—were forged early in life and have guided her through every challenge. Those who meet her are often struck by how down-to-earth and approachable she is, whether she’s in a committee hearing or a neighborhood ribbon cutting. That genuine warmth was on full display at the Abingdon showroom opening, where she made everyone from high school students to veteran aviators feel heard and valued.

Mayor Shelley Berkley’s story is still unfolding, but one thing is clear: she sets a powerful example. Confident, clear-eyed, technically savvy yet undeniably human, she has never forgotten where she came from or who she’s serving. Whether she’s cutting a ribbon, crafting policy, or encouraging a young person to chase big goals, Berkley leads with action and integrity.

As the lights dimmed on Abingdon’s showroom opening night, the feeling in the air was electric with possibility – the kind that comes when someone shows others what it means to live with purpose, generosity and strength. In Shelley’s life and in the example she sets, she proves that making a difference is always in fashion, and that time spent uplifting others is time well spent.