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. 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.
Trustees
Jon Hager, Board President
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.
Keith Squires, Secretary
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.
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!
Steve Reynolds, Board Member
Steve Reynolds is the immediate past president of the foundation, has 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.
Richard Stokes, Board Member
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., Board Member
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, Board Member
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.
Dave Ponczoch, Board Member
David Ponczoch and his wife have seven children who have attended or currently attend Carson City schools. He loves living in Carson City and thinks the teachers and schools in the Carson City School District do a fantastic job.
David is the Chief Executive Officer of Hygrade Gold Company Ltd. He has worked for the past 20 years in mining, including the previous roles of Chief Financial Officer for Argonaut Gold and Chief Financial Officer for Twin Metals Minnesota.
David earned his bachelor’s degree in international finance from Brigham Young University and MBA from Michigan State University.
Jennifer Allen, Board Member
Jennifer is a Registered Nurse with over 20 years experience, who is passionate about her work. A mother of 2 boys who attend school at Carson High and 8th grader at Eagle Valley Middle School. Jen also enjoys being active in the community and local schools, and has served on the AYSO and Little League boards. When not at work, or cheering her kids on at their events, she enjoys hiking, running, cycling, and swimming.
Gary Lyon, Board Member
Gary Lyon has been a member of the CCSF Board of Directors since 2018. He is retired after 49 years in military, private, and public sector technology. Before 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. Gary and his wife, Lynn, raised three children who attended district schools, and have gone on to finish their education, and pursue careers in medicine, wealth management, and movie special effects. Gary and his wife enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Advisors To The Board
Lupe Ramirez, President, Carson City School Board
Lupe Ramirez earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Western Governors University, and an Associate’s degree in Business from Western Nevada College (WNC). After a 32-year trajectory at WNC, she decided to retire and set new goals. As a retiree, she has served as a School Trustee for the Carson City School Board (CCSB) since 2019. She also serves on the WNC Foundation Board and the Brewery Arts Center Board.
Ramirez is the current CCSB President and is honored to represent the district at this capacity. She’s committed to her role and her successful completion of the Public Officials Certification confirms her dedication to the Board. She thrives in advocating for all students and enjoys the opportunity to make a difference in the community.
Ramirez continues her involvement with students from WNC. She now serves as a mentor for Nevada Promise students and enjoys the interaction with them and their parents.
She and her husband are proud parents of their 24-year-old daughter, who is a product of the Carson City School District, participated in the Jump Start Program, and the Cheerleading Team. Thanks to the opportunities the district provided their daughter, she graduated with a Civil Engineer degree from UNR and is working as a Project Engineer in Construction Management.
Ramirez was recognized by WNC with an Emeritus Award for her years of dedication to students, faculty and staff and for her passion for the mission of the institution. Other recognitions she received include New School Board Member of the Year by the Nevada Association of School Board, Soroptimist International of Carson City Women Helping Women award, ACT College and Career Readiness Postsecondary Champion for Nevada and WNC Administrative Faculty of the Year award.
Dan Davis, CCSD Public Information Officer
Dan Davis, APR, is the Public Information Officer 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.
Cassandra Clark, CCSD Grants Manager
Cassie Clark has over five years of grant writing experience and has successfully secured more than $8 million in funding for various projects, ranging from educational programs to infrastructure improvements.
Currently serving as the Grants Manager for Carson City School District, Mrs. Clark specializes in identifying funding opportunities, ensuring compliance with grant regulations, and developing strategic proposals that align with district needs. Passionate about increasing access to quality education, she is dedicated to supporting projects that enhance student learning, improve facilities, and create opportunities for all students.
When she’s not working on grants, Cassie enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors with her husband, Gavin, their three sons, and their dog, Pepper.
Some Of Our Education Champions
