Board of Directors
Raymond C. Gonzalez began his financial services career in 1997 after graduating Cum Laude from Occidental College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Kinesiology. He subsequently earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation, one of the nation’s premier retirement planning credentials, providing him with an extensive knowledgebase from which to help clients navigate their retirement planning options.
Ray, the oldest of his 5 brothers and 4 sisters, grew up in Winnemucca Nevada and now resides in Reno with his three wonderful children. He and his family are often busy with school and extracurricular activities including basketball and dance but, when time allows, they can be found enjoying the outdoors and all that his home state has to offer.
As a family man, and an active member of his community, Ray believes in the importance of giving back. He is currently involved with the Community Foundation of Western Nevada, and on the boards of Community Health Alliance, Truckee Meadows Tomorrow, Nevada Human Society and Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center. In the past he has been involved with Reno Rotary, American Heart Association, Executive Association of Reno (EAR); and Summit VMS, an organization that touches on an area of focus for Ray as mentors of local tech start-ups. Ray has also served on the board of several other organizations in the Reno area including the Education Alliance of Washoe County, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and as the President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Ray and his team focus on investment planning strategies and retirement plans such as 401(k), Profit Sharing plans, SEP, SIMPLE, Traditional, and Roth IRAs. When a client’s situation requires it, Ray can provide access to Wells Fargo Bank for lending products and services. Ray’s primary focus is helping clients to build, manage, and transition as they pursue their goals and objectives.
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Brokerage services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors. Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Members SIPC, separate registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company; Bank products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.
As the President for Nevada Humane Society, I act in a completely separate role from my position as a Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors.
Nancy Wenzel, Esq., Vice Chair
I have been a licensed attorney in Nevada for over 25 years. My practice has focused exclusively on Boards and Commissions, working as a Senior Deputy Attorney General at the Nevada Attorney General’s Office and as an Administrative Law Judge with the Nevada Public Utilities Commission. I currently only represent nonprofit organizations and serve as a director on other boards. Volunteering for nonprofits is my passion and I have done so all over the world. I first became involved with the Nevada Humane Society in 2012 when my daughter and I volunteered at many of its events when she was in high school. I adopted my Lhasa-Poo Coco from the Nevada Humane Society in 2015, and have been an advocate for the organization ever since. I joined the board’s Fundraising Committee in July of 2021, and the Board of Directors in November the same year. I was elected Board Secretary in May of 2023.
Stephen Festa, Treasurer
Stephen Festa has been a Director on the Board of the Nevada Humane Society since January 2023. He recently retired from a 35 year career in the insurance industry. He most recent position was the Chief Operating Officer for a national insurance company. He also was an Executive Vice President of an international independent claims organization for several years. Stephen attended the University of Southern California as well as the University of Phoenix and has a B.S. degree in Business Administration.
Laura Raymond, Secretary
Laura currently serves as the Senior Director of Ticket Services & Operations for the Reno Aces. A native of the Sierra Nevada mountains, she grew up in Graeagle, CA and has called Northern Nevada home since 2019. She earned a bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University in Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management and has been working in the sports and hospitality industry since 2012. Laura is also involved with W.I.S.H.I.N.G. – Women in Sports Helping Inspire the Next Generation, which focuses on encouraging young women to explore careers in the sports industry. In her spare time Laura enjoys golf, camping at Bucks Lake, and traveling to Hawaii to visit family.
Rita Eissmann
In January of 1987, I rescued a beautiful, 1 year old Golden Retriever named “Jose Cuervo.” He had been running loose around Virginia Lake and when I located his owner (via his dog tags), I noticed the deplorable living conditions. I stated: “If he runs away again and I find him, I would like to keep him.” That conversation changed my life. Since that “rescue,” I have personally reunited over 40 dogs with their owners. My 3 children grew up knowing we would be late for appointments/school/soccer practices, etc., if there was a pet running in traffic or loose in our neighborhood. Dog treats and a spare leash are always “on the ready” in my car.
My tenacity to create has led me into many ventures over the years including; CFO of a private dental office, owner and operator of Irlen Screenings of Reno and licensed Realtor® / permitted property manager in the State of Nevada. I understand running a successful business requires time, dedication, adaptability, vision and compassion. Working with the team at NHS has given me the opportunity to pair my business acumen, prior board positions and volunteerism with my compassion for animals, so more animals can receive medical care and live healthy lives with families who will love, care and respect them.
Corey Solferino
I am currently the Detention Bureau Chief Deputy for the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. I am a team builder who brings resources and personnel together to find common ground and produce results through training, collaboration, evaluation, and directed feedback.
During my 24 year career, I’ve worked alongside local, state, and federal legislators to follow policy from draft language through bill passage. I’ve worked as a registered lobbyist representing the Sheriff of Washoe County, Nevada Sheriffs’ and Chiefs’, and public safety interests statewide.
My passion is teaching, training, and leading young professionals through the ever evolving world of 21st century policing. We owe ourselves and the public we serve to be students of the game, and ensure we are properly equipped, prepared, and dedicated to the demands of the job. I’ve had the honor and privilege of leading our line officers and young managers through a renaissance in some of the most challenging times experienced in law enforcement since the civil rights movement of the 1950s. We continue to listen, innovate, and adapt – I’m proud of our accomplishments.
I currently serve as part time faculty at the University of Nevada where I instruct selected topics in the Department of Criminal Justice. I sit on the board of directors for the James D. Hoff Peace Officers Memorial in Reno, Nevada. I also represent the State of Nevada as a voting member for the Commission on Homeland Security Committee on Finance. I serve as a Member of the Spatialitics Public Safety Industry advisory Board linking criminal justice information disparate data sources and using real time crime analytics to disseminate to officers and investigators in the field.
I’m a graduate of the 142nd Administrative Officers Course of the Southern Police Institute, and an Alumni of the University of Nevada and the University of Louisville. I’m a loving husband, and passionate father of three amazing children. In my free time I enjoy weight training, golfing, swimming, running and biking. My wife and I love to travel and enjoy warm weather, fun, sun, and our fur babies.
We currently have two French Bulldogs – Nugget and Sapphire. I had the honor and privilege of working two duel purpose patrol/narcotic detection canines. Upon my promotion to Sergeant in 2015, my second canine Akim retired as I vacated the master trainer position. Akim was lucky to live a long and wonderful life. Unfortunately he passed away in January. He would have been 13 this year. I was lucky he shared his life with me. He saved me both mentally and physically more times than I care to admit. I will miss my sable partner and friend. I’m privileged to have been selected to serve on this board and look forward to raising money and awareness for the NHS.
Chad Martinson
Chad spent the majority of his last 30 years in executive leadership roles in health care. Most recently, he served as CEO of ACOVA Integrated Health from 2017-2023. Prior to ACOVA, Chad held various leadership roles with Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Medtronic and KPMG. Chad also served on a variety of Corporate and non-profit Boards. Relevant non-profit Boards include serving on the Reno Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada Board (EDAWN) from 2020-2023 and supported the NV Cares committee (focused on establishing a comprehensive program for the homeless community in Reno) from 2021-2022). Chad holds a B.A. from Luther College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Chad was born in Las Vegas, but primarily grew up in Minneapolis, MN. He has moved several times throughout the country and internationally for work, but has been a resident of Reno since 2019. He grew up with several rescue dogs and currently has two mixed breed rescue dogs, Bella and Griffin.
Alex Velto, Esq.
I am an attorney at Hutchison & Steffen. My practice spans the state of Nevada, where I specialize in business litigation and labor & employment law. While I love my job as an attorney, my heart beats for animals. The Nevada Humane Society is different. I have been blessed to adopt three senior pitbulls. Each of these adoptions has added a precious member to my family and reinforced my dedication to the cause of animal welfare. I have been serving on the Board of Directors for the Nevada Humane Society since 2023.
Tyson Cross, Esq
Tyson P. Cross is the founder and principal attorney at Cross Law Group. His practice focuses primarily on trusts and estates, with a particular emphasis on tax planning for high net worth families. As a Reno native, Tyson graduated from Bishop Manogue High School in 2003 and received his undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Nevada, Reno. He then attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for law school, where he graduated cum laude and served as editor of the UNLV Gaming Law Journal. Deciding to focus on tax law, Tyson went on to earn a Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University School of Law before practicing for two years in San Diego, California.
In addition to his professional activities, Tyson is committed to giving back to the local community and has served with a number of local organizations. This includes eight years on the board of the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada, where he served as board secretary and chair of the investment committee. In his spare time, Tyson enjoys golf, basketball, and traveling with his wife and four children.
Ronald Simpkins, CPA
I am a proud fifth-generation Nevadan coming from Caliente in Lincoln County. I graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Accounting and started my CPA career as a senior accountant with an international CPA firm located in Los Angeles. After six years in LA, I was asked to become a partner in a Nevada State CPA firm in Reno, Nevada. I then opened my own CPA Firm in 1985 with emphasis on tax planning and tax return preparation for individuals, small businesses, and Trusts.
I have had the privilege of serving as a volunteer for many non-profits: as President of the YMCA of the Sierra, as Chairman of the West Field Region of the National YMCA, as Board Member and Treasurer of the YMCA of the USA, as Chairman of the Board of the American Heart Association, Nevada Affiliate, as President of the Sertoma Club, and as Board Director for the Reno Sunrise Rotary Club in charge of vocational service and Rotary fundraising. I’ve also volunteered with the Discovery Center of Washoe County and Elks Lodge.
My wife, Helen, and I have four children, fifteen grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, all of whom we are incredibly proud of. We love the LA Dodgers, Nevada Wolf Pack, football, and basketball. I had my first dog as a child because my parents wanted me to learn the lessons dogs can teach us. Dogs are loyal, protective, love unconditionally, are extremely aware, and enjoy every moment. I’ve passed these lessons on to my family, always having dogs around my children when they were growing up. They, in turn, have had dogs around my grandkids to continue these themes. I joined this board to help dogs find families so they can teach the lessons my dog taught me.
Dave Cochran
Dave is the Chief of the Reno Fire Department. He started with the Reno Fire Department as a firefighter in 1998. Over the years, he progressed through the ranks, holding a variety of different positions in the department, including Fire Equipment Operator, Captain, Battalion Chief, Fire Marshal, and Division Chief in charge of Training before finally becoming the Chief of the entire Department in January 2016. Before the fire service, Dave earned a Bachelor’s in Business in Administration from California Polytechnic University in 1987 and continued his education, earning a Juris Doctorate from Hasting College of the Law in 1990. Dave was admitted to practice law in California, Nevada, and Colorado. He practiced for over 9 years before changing career paths and entering the fire service.
Dave has been married to his wife, Kara, for over 30 years. They met in law school and have three boys. They are also the parents of two dogs, Mookie and Chico, and a cat named Rascal. Dave and Kara have always been pet owners and have been particularly fond of bringing home wayward cats. His favorite cat was the previously feral, one-eyed cat lovingly named “Fat Cat”. Fat Cat eventually warmed up to people and became a favorite with the dogs, proof that all animals deserve an opportunity for a good home.
Taylor Adams
Mr. Adams joined EDAWN as the President and CEO in May 2023. After holding professionally responsible positions in Finance and Economic Development, he currently serves the community as the Deputy City Manager for Economic Development, Convention and Visitor Bureau, Resort Management, and Cultural Affairs.
Before coming to Virginia Beach, Mr. Adams held positions in both the private and public sectors including: Chief Administrative Officer/Director of Finance for the City of Starkville Mississippi; Purchasing Manager for Mississippi State University; Chief Marketing Officer/Managing Partner for Benefits Concepts P.A. in Columbus, Mississippi; and Business Development Officer/Commercial Credit Analyst for the National Bank of Commerce of Mississippi.
Please download our current bylaws through the link below for more information about our organization’s guiding principles and commitment to transparency and accountability.