Board

Brian Bonnenfant is a Project Manager for the University of Nevada, Reno’s Center for Regional Studies where he has conducted and managed spatial analyses through the University since 1993. Brian was awarded a Master of Science degree in Geological Engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Chico State. In addition to economic and housing research and analyses for decision-makers, Brian contributes to the community through chairing Nevada Land Trust’s Lands Committee, is an active member of the Truckee River Fund Advisory Committee, and inputs play-by play for the UNR men’s basketball home games. Brian is a 4th generation Reno-ite (his great-grandfather was born in what is now Idlewild Park). In addition to a deep connection with the Truckee River, Brian cherishes time in the backcountry and spending time with his family in the great outdoors.

Candace Evart retired from a career in economic consulting in 2010, specializing in local and state government fiscal analysis and gaming feasibility studies. She has been affiliated with the Nevada Land Trust since the early 1990’s, either as a board member or advisor. Being raised on a ranch in Northern California, she deeply appreciates the value of open space for recreational and educational activities. She holds a BA from the University of California at Berkeley and a MBA from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Devere Dressler is a fifth-generation rancher who has managed ranches in both California and Nevada. He is currently managing a family ranch in Alpine County, California along with his wife, Valerie Gordon. Devere is a member of the Alpine Watershed Group, and prior to its dissolution he was a director of the Bridgeport Valley Water Users where he initiated a water quality monitoring program in the Bridgeport Valley. The program aimed to prove that agriculture in the valley is good for the ecosystem. Devere is past chairman and board member emeritus of The California Rangeland Trust and served on the board of Nevada Cattlemen’s Association. He has promoted rangeland conservation easements at both the local and national levels. Devere’s volunteer service includes 27 years with the Douglas County Fire Department as a firefighter/medic, EMS and live-burn instructor. He is a veteran of military service and holds a degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, College of Agriculture.

Harry Parsons parents, both raised in Nevada, instilled in their son a strong connection to place, and the sense that if you needed it, the land would provide. Especially if what you needed was to “sort some things out”. Harry spent four years during college at the University of Nevada, Reno working for the Parks Department, and went on to serve on the Washoe County Parks Commission. There he helped start the Washoe Parks Foundation, which went on to become Nevada Land Trust (formerly known as Nevada Land Conservancy). Today, Harry is a well-known partner and CPA with Pangborn & Co., Ltd. He is devoted to his family and is a respected leader in our community as well as in national accounting standards circles. Harry helped found Hot August Nights, Care Chest, the Great Basin Youth Soccer League, among others, and the Reno area is truly a better place because of him. Harry has been involved in youth all his life, as a YMCA camp counselor; city park director; recreational, competitive and high school soccer coach; Northern Nevada Commissioner of USYSA Youth Soccer; founding member of the non-profit board and instructor for the Sky Tavern Junior Ski Program; currently an advisor for Valdo Sei Chapter of DeMolay: recipient of the Degree of Chevalier, the highest award given to a DeMolay member and recently awarded the Legion Of Honor from the International Order of DeMolay, the highest award in DeMolay. This self-described “country-city kid” feels that everything we do has to be for the kids, and their kids. It’s the only thing we can leave that no one can take away. It’s all about the kids and leaving it a better place for them. Harry and his wife Betsy are proud parents to three children, grandparents to eleven grandchildren, and great grandparents to one great-grandson.

Holly Pecetti was born, raised, and educated in Reno, NV. Reno grew to Holly’s doorstep. Her family’s ranch was located in south Reno and was owned by a "Pecetti" for ninety-four (94) years. The last of the Pecetti property was sold in 2017. Holly maintains a strong desire for involvement in maintaining the land, be it private or state, for agriculture and for the benefit of residents. It is important to Holly that we retain all aspects of the agriculture industry including recreation, and wildlife, for the preservation of history and the future. Holly wanted to be active in agriculture and was afforded the opportunity to work in the Division of Animal Industry and Livestock Identification at the Nevada State Department of Agriculture. For 23 years Holly had the great experience of holding positions as State Brand Recorder and Program Officer in Animal Industry.

Karen Ross retired after 31 years of service to NV Energy, where she served as Community Relations Manager in northern Nevada. Karen guided NV Energy’s corporate citizenship role within the diverse communities it serves throughout northern Nevada. She oversaw charitable giving, employee volunteer programs, and community support programs. In addition to her present board service to Nevada Land Trust, Karen actively served on numerous community nonprofit boards, including the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Nevada Women’s Fund, Retired Senior Volunteer Programs, High Sierra Industries, Sierra Arts Foundation, Truckee Meadows Tomorrow, and Special Assistance Fund for Energy. She also serves on the advisory board for the School of Community Health Sciences at the University of Nevada, Reno. Karen’s community honors include the University of Nevada Distinguished Alumna representing the School of Community Health Sciences, a Truckee Meadows Tomorrow “Sustaining Star” for her efforts in leading and participating in community quality of life initiatives, a Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada Woman in Leadership, and a Nevada Women’s Fund Woman of Achievement. Karen obtained a Bachelor degree and Master of Public Health degree from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Kevin Dick retired in 2024 from a career in environmental and public health protection that included serving as an Environmental Engineer at the Environmental Protection Agency, Director of the Nevada Business Environmental Program at the University of Nevada, Reno, and most recently as Health Officer of Northern Nevada Public Health where he was responsible for leading Washoe County’s public health response to the Covid-19 pandemic. He previously served as Chairman of the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable and is currently a member of the Board of the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center. Kevin obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Engineering at Cornell University. Kevin has a lifetime passion for nature, landscapes, and the outdoors. He grew up backpacking on the Appalachian Trail, and in the Adirondack Mountains of New York before relocating to the west in the 1980s and to Nevada with his wife, Sandra, in 1991. He cherishes the beauty and solitude of the Great Basin and the grandeur of the Sierras.

Kevin Pick was born in Southern Ohio and grew up hiking and camping in the Ohio River Valley and the eastern foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. While other Ohio families were vacationing on the beaches of the east coast, Kevin’s family consistently headed west to America’s great National Parks and for outdoor adventures in the Sierras and Northern Rockies. Along the way, the importance of open-spaces and public lands became self-evident, particularly when compared to the noticeably small amount of public lands in the eastern United States. Kevin accepted a summer internship in Reno during law school and was introduced to fishing and rock climbing in the Eastern Sierra. After graduating from law school, Kevin headed west permanently and in the years since has logged many, many trail miles, met and married an amazing woman, and started a family. Along the way, Kevin was steadily drawn eastward, towards the solitary cottonwood canyons, golden meadows, and spectacular vistas of Northern Nevada. Hours spent driving, hiking, hunting, and fishing led Kevin to appreciate that wild Nevada is a fragile treasure that, although maybe less traveled, is no less important than Yosemite Valley or the Great Smoky Mountains. This eventually led Kevin to the Nevada Land Trust, where he was elected as a Trustee in 2019 and currently serves on the Development and Communications Committee.

Lisa Lewandowski relocated to Reno, NV over 20 years ago. Reno was chosen, in part, for the surrounding natural beauty and easy access to recreational activities such as skiing, hiking and camping. She grew up in Wisconsin where time spent at the Milwaukee Public Zoo and her grandparents’ lake house and river cottage fostered a love of nature, wildlife and outdoor activities. She went on to earn a B.S. degree in Zoology with a focus in ecology and cell biology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Lisa previously worked as a laboratory scientist studying gene therapy, endocrinology, virology and cell biology. Currently, she is a local small business owner of Mind Over Movement Pilates Studio and is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT). Lisa is passionate about Pilates because it has helped her so much. She experienced how much better life was when her body felt good and fit to do the outdoor activities she enjoys. Lisa spends her free time on many outdoor adventures and appreciates the lands that have wisely been preserved as wild spaces for now and future generations. She sees the need to continue setting aside untouched areas as Nevada cities are rapidly expanding.

Reed Simmons is a retired commercial real estate broker, having specialized in office leasing and investment sales in northern Nevada and various other states in the U.S. Reed began his career in 1982 and later became a broker/owner of Dickson Realty with his other partners. He has been active in his community by serving on multiple boards and committees, including EDAWN, WIN, Western Folklife Center and others. Reed leads an active life that includes swimming, golf, cowboying with various ranchers in Nevada and California, and traveling with his wife, Mary.

Tina Nappe, a lifetime Nevadan, grew up in Washoe Valley where she worked for Foresta Institute, developing Nevada's first endangered species program. A graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, and its Masters of Public Administration, Nappe's career was in NevadaWorks, providing employment and training services to residents in 13 northern Nevada counties. Her passion for wildlife became an avocation. She has served on the State Board of Wildlife Commissioners (1979-1994), several BLM advisory Boards, a state Water Advisory Board, the Toiyabe Chapter of the Sierra Club Executive Committee and most recently the Governor’s Sagebrush Ecosystem Council 2014-2017. Her focus has been wetlands preservation, acquisition of habitat for wildlife, and protection of wildlife on public lands. She is enthusiastic about Nevada Land Trust and its strong record of protecting open space.

Valerie P. Cooke is a retired US Magistrate Judge. She served in the Federal Judiciary from 2000 to 2018. Since retiring, Judge Cooke has remained committed to serving in her community from helping with refugees to championing open trails. She has enjoyed her transition from the bench to a new, active chapter of life. When not reading a good book, she can be found embracing her roles as a tireless grandmother and "dog grandmother." A passionate outdoors enthusiast, Val enjoys hiking and camping. In 2022, she reached the summit of Wheeler Peak, which stands at 13,167 feet. Val is also known for her love of hosting parties and bringing people together. Her mantra is that at her house, "everyone is invited to dinner!