Members of the CCSF Board of Directors are volunteers from the community who devote their time and talents to developing opportunities to support the creativity of Carson City School District students, teachers, and staff to address their needs. Email [email protected] if you are interested in putting your talents and passion for our public school system to work as a member of the CCSF board.
Officers
Steve Reynolds, President
Steve Reynolds served two terms on the Carson City School District Board of Trustees and is a local small business owner in Carson City. Steve has been a manager for retail store chains, an accomplished sales, and business director in the media industry, and a business owner. He is an award-winning graphic artist and has taught design, advertising, and marketing in professional and college settings. Committed to neighbors and community, Steve has served in many callings, including president of Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, president of the local Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, and other business and service organizations; in city government, he also served on the Regional Transportation Commission and the Planning Commission for Carson City. He and his family have resided in Carson City for 28 years and both sons are graduates of the School District.
Casey Gilles, Treasurer
Casey Gilles moved to Carson City in 1986 with her husband and two sons. Casey had completed her BA in Liberal Arts at Chico the year she moved to Carson. She then went on to complete her Teaching Endorsement from UNR and was hired at Seeliger Elementary in Carson City. She taught first and second grades at Seeliger for 15 years. When her sons had graduated from UNR, Casey went back and earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership to become an administrator. She was Vice Principal at Bordewich Bray Elementary School for 4 years and then was hired as Principal of JC Fremont Elementary School. Casey was the principal until June 2017.
During her time with the Carson City School District, Casey served on numerous committees including Teacher co-chair for the annual Seeliger Pumpkin Patch from its inception until leaving for Bordewich Elementary School, Elementary District Science Coordinator, and later, president of the Carson City Administrators Association.
In 2019, Casey was asked to leave retirement and contract with the District to become the Internal Coach for the Preschool Program. Even though there was a year’s hiatus due to Covid, she is still in this position and loves every minute of it!
Casey’s interest in children and education has influenced her choice of volunteer work throughout the years. She has been on the Board of the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada for over 8 years, where she has served as President and is currently the Treasurer.
In her spare time, Casey loves traveling with her family, working in her gardens, and entertaining friends. Carson City has truly been a wonderful place to live and work. The Carson City School District is her second home!
Board Members
Richard Stokes
A native of Salmon, Idaho Richard began his career in education in 1987 as a high school science teacher in Lyman, Wyoming. After obtaining a graduate Degree from the University of Wyoming in school administration, Richard and his family moved from Wyoming to Hawthorne, Nevada in 1995 where he accepted a job as the Principal of Mineral County High School. Three years later he was hired as Mineral County School District’s Superintendent. In July of 2001, Richard accepted the job of Associate Superintendent of Human Resources in Carson City School District. In 2008 he was appointed as the Superintendent of Carson City’s public schools until his retirement in June of 2022. Richard has served as the President of the Nevada Association of School Superintendents and was named Nevada’s 2014 Superintendent of the Year. Richard recently completed a one-year term as the Governor’s appointee to the State School Board and is active in working with state leaders on matters relevant to education.
Jennifer Mahe, Esq.
Ms. Mahe is the principal of Mahe Law, Ltd. and was born and raised in Carson City, Nevada. She has been a practicing attorney in the Northern Nevada area since passing the Nevada State Bar in 2005. Throughout her years of practice, she has handled legal matters in a variety of areas. She has experience with estate planning, business law, family law, real property, and litigation. She has appeared before a variety of regulatory and judicial bodies, including but not limited to Nevada District Courts, the Federal District Court, the Federal Bankruptcy Court, the State Engineer, and the Nevada Public Utilities Commission.
Ms. Mahe graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2001, with distinction, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with a minor in developmental disabilities. Throughout her undergraduate degree, she worked in the field of developmental disabilities, an area in which she continues to be involved, not only as a volunteer and as counsel for various individuals but also as the guardian of an individual diagnosed with profound mental retardation. Following graduation from the University of Nevada, Reno she attended the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and obtained a Juris Doctorate, with great distinction, in 2005.
Following her graduation from law school, Ms. Mahe worked as a Law Clerk in the Third Judicial District Court for the Honorable Judges Blake, Estes, and Pedersen. She was thereafter an associate and partner at the law firm of Allison, MacKenzie, Ltd. After pursuing graduate work at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, she founded Mahe Law, Ltd. As the founder of Mahe Law, Ltd. she hopes to provide individuals with assistance in their legal matters as well as donate her time to non-profit entities providing services to the community.
Patty Chang
Patty Chang has been a CCSF board member since 2021. She is the Vice President of Risk Management for Greater Nevada Credit Union, where she has worked since 2010. Patty has been in Carson City since 1992 and in financial services since 1993. While she attended school in Las Vegas, Patty has been involved in many volunteer opportunities in the Carson City School District including CHS Senior Projects Judge, Mock Interviewer, Debate Team Judge, Junior Achievement Presenter, financial literacy activities, and WNC Promise Scholarship Mentor.
Patty has also created and presented Financial Literacy training for community members and is passionate about helping our youth to take advantage of the many opportunities they have to succeed. Most recently, Patty was selected as a 2022 Soroptimist Honoree for Women Helping Women. A 2020 graduate with a BS in Business Management from Western Governor’s University, Patty enjoys summer days, playing tennis, cooking, and game nights with her husband and friends.
Fabiola Mata
Ms. Mata attended Carson High School and worked in the Greater Nevada Credit Union (GNCU) in-school branch. Upon graduation, she then attended and graduated from UNR. Following her graduation from UNR she came back to work for GNCU full-time. She is a Hispanic first-generation and has siblings in two local schools in Carson as well. She hopes to make a difference in the community and hopes to be able to keep contributing to students’ education and success through the Carson City Schools Foundation.
Keith Squires
Keith has served on the CCSF board since its creation in 2015. He brings the experiences of having spent 40 years in education as a teacher, Dean, Vice-Principal, and Principal. Thirty of that in public education, and 10 in a Christian school.
After graduating from UNR and moving to Las Vegas to start my teaching career he subsequently earned a Master’s Degree in Education Administration at UNLV. Following this, he moved back to Reno/Carson to finish up his public school teaching and administration then became a teacher/principal for my last 10 years in Carson at a local Christian school. Keith is also retired from the Nevada Air National Guard, as a First Sergeant, with 21 years of service. He volunteers with the Carson High Boy’s and Girl’s Golf which is his passion, and since retiring joined the Carson City Schools Foundation to keep his hand in helping teachers and administrators expand the minds of their students.
Jon Hager
Jon Hager is a licensed health broker and co-owner of Asset Solutions Group, Inc. (ASG), an independent insurance agency specializing in Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements and employee benefits for associations. He also serves as the assistant coach for the Carson High School Cross Country Team.
From 2014 to 2020, Jon was the Director of Planning and Performance at Hometown Health. He was the first Executive Director of the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange from 2012 to 2014 and was the Chief Financial Officer of Nevada’s Public Employees’ Benefits Program.
Jon served as a combat pilot and instructor pilot in the U.S. Navy for nine years. He earned his MBA from Texas A&M and a BS in Physics from the United States Naval Academy, with a certificate in Aviation Safety from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA. He is also a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program provided by America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Jon has been the vice-chair of the State Exchange Leadership Group (2012-2014), Vegas Seven 2014 Intriguing People, member of the Nevada Insurance Commissioner’s Life and Health Advisory Committee and Network Adequacy Advisory Council, Commissioner of Carson City Region 140 American Youth Soccer Organization and Director of the Comstock Shootout Soccer Tournament.
When Jon isn’t working, he loves to spend time with his wife and two kids. He enjoys traveling, running, coaching, hiking, camping and Lake Tahoe.
Gary Lyon
Gary Lyon has been a member of the CCSF Board of Directors since 2018. He is retired after 49 years of in military, private, and public sector technology. Prior to joining the CCSF Board Gary served 10 years as the Community Chair for the Carson High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) Committee and has been involved in other district schools-to-career programs since 1996.
Born in Carson City, Gary is a school district alumni and holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Thomas Edison State University. Married for 14 years, he and his wife raised three children who all attended district schools and have gone on to complete their university education and now pursue careers in medicine, wealth management and movie special effects. Gary and his wife enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Katie Leao Geiser
Katie Leao Geiser’s career began at Northern Arizona University in Student Life & Services in 2000. She has a passion for working with young adults entering college and supporting them throughout their higher education careers. With that passion, she received her Masters of Education in Marriage and Family Therapy and in Higher Education Administration. Katie moved to Carson City in the early 2000’s and has served the Carson City Community for 17+ years in higher education (Western Nevada College) and as a non profit youth development professional. In 2022, she stepped away from her CEO position at the Boys & Girls Club in Carson City and is the Director of Administration at the Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe, enjoying a bit of a quieter life.
With 19+ years of people management experience, a proven ability to cast and implement vision, strategically plan, develop and manage cross-functional teams, provide operational leadership, develop strong strategic partnerships and manage financial operations.
Throughout her career she has worked in our rural to urban communities providing opportunities to those youth who need services and support the most. Her passion is building the next generation of socially and emotionally competent global citizens, and leaders. Within each role she has experienced thriving and rewarding environments not only for the youth that are served but the staff that make each environment a fun, safe, and educational place for kids/young adults of all ages to grow and develop. In addition to her work, Katie is currently raising three children with her husband Kris Geiser (her son graduated in 2022 , her daughter currently attending Carson City HS, and her youngest is in preschool this year).
Advisors To The Board
Joe Cacioppo, President
Carson City School Board
Mr.
Mr. Cacioppo is 2024 President of the Carson City School District, Board of Trustees. He has served as a trustee in the district for 12 years. He served as President two prior times during his tenure, as well as serving as Vice-President and Clerk. He has also served the district on Parent Teacher Associations, Master Plan and Bond Oversite advisory committees.
Mr. Cacioppo is a veteran of the United States Army, where he served eight years. He is a licensed civil engineer in Nevada and California with over 30 years of experience, and is co-owner of Resource Concepts, Inc. (RCI), a local civil engineering, surveying, water rights, environmental compliance, and natural resources consulting firm that was established in Carson City in 1978.
Mr. Cacioppo is a husband and father. He has been married to his wife for over 33 years. They raised three children that each received their K-12 education in our district and have each since graduated from their perspective universities. His wife and one of his children are both teachers in the district. His other two children are in medicine and marketing, respectively. Mr. Cacioppo has been devoted to our district since 1999 and was honored as the 2009 Friend in Education by the Ormsby County Education Association.
Christine Perkins
CCSD Special Projects Coordinator
Christie Perkins, is the Director of Grants and Special Projects for the Carson City School District, with her Special Project currently focused on the district-wide implementation of MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) for both Academic and Behavior. Previously Christie was the Special Projects Coordinator/ McKinney Vento and Foster Care Liaison for CCSD and enjoyed coordinating community resources for our students most in need.
Before coming to the Carson City School district Christie served as the Assistant Principal for Kendyl Depoali Middle School in South Reno for 12 years (2009-2021). She also was dean of students, 7th and 8th grade English teacher, Department lead, and student government advisor during her 19 years in Washoe County School District.
Christie earned her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in English from UNR in 2002 and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix in 2008, she is a certified GATE endorsed educator. Perkins grew up in Lake Tahoe and has been a Nevada resident for more than 30 years. Perkins enjoys spending time with her family, supporting her children’s travel sports teams, reading, decorating, planning events, and spending time outside enjoying Nevada. She loves being a part of the community where she lives, and her children attend school acting as the district Liaison for the Carson City School Foundation.
Dan Davis, APR
CCSD Public Information Officer
Dan Davis, APR, is the Public Information Office for the Carson City School District, a position he helped launched when hired in February of 2017. He is a seasoned public relations professional with extensive work experience in both public (for-profit) and private (not-for-profit) sectors. He is a strategic thinker using foresight and skill to meet measurable objectives. He has helped feature the district in more than 600 total news media stories annually, earning nearly $200,000 in media coverage; and he distributes district-driven newsletters to more than 22,000 people each quarter. In 2018, Davis earned a Bronze Spike Award from the Public Relations Society of America for developing and implementing the Carson City School District’s Communications Plan. He retains extensive persuasive and news writing abilities, but his strongest attribute is his gregarious attitude, which enables him to successfully manage professional relationships with decorum.
Being born and raised in Carson City, he is pleased to be home benefitting future scholars, doctors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, etc. Previous work experience includes Marketing Manager for Bayer Properties (The Summit), Feb. 2013 – Feb. 2017; Public Information Officer for Renown Health, May 2007 – Feb. 2013; and Associate with The Walton Group, Jan. 2002 – May 2007.