Mueggenborg, 59, has served as an auxiliary bishop and vicar general of the Archdiocese of Seattle since 2017.
In Reno, he will replace Bishop Randolph Calvo, 69, whose resignation was accepted by Pope Francis on July 20.
Growing up in Oklahoma in the 1970s, Mueggenborg spent time as an altar server, boy scout, and tuba musician in a marching band. After being named an Eagle Scout in 1980, he decided to study geology at Oklahoma State University.