Linda Allen
Board member since 2012
Linda works for a government environmental agency at Lake Tahoe — Saving Tahoe. She has volunteered many years for Toys for Tots, food drives, the Kiwanis bike program, adopt-a-family and has raised seeing eye dog. She joined this board to help the families of the community.
“It brings joy to my life to help others less fortunate get back on their feet,” she says.
Ali Banister
Board member since 2016
Ali is the Chief of Juvenile Services for Carson City and a part-time professor of juvenile law. She has worked in many capacities of the juvenile legal system including mental health services — and has her Ph.D. She’s extremely passionate about bringing solutions to juvenile justice and the mental health arena, especially for youth. Ali greatly enjoys being part of the Ron Wood team.
Valeri Bianchi-Wood
Board member since 1995
Being on the board is both professional and personal for Valeri. Ron Wood was Valeri’s husband. And for the past two decades, the Center has provided for the most vulnerable in the community — “and this is who Ron advocated for,” Valeri says. “Seeing his name all over town keeps his memory alive.” Valeri’s vision for the Center is to continue to grow services and to keep learning. She says the Center is her family. “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing most everyone prior to their employment. Our relationship has grown into a deep admiration for each and every member of the board and the staff.”
Gere’ Clark
Board member since 2012
Gere’ has been a manufacturing business owner for over three decades. She’s also a mother and grandmother as well as has her own foundation, Legacy of Grace, that helps young women. She’s dedicated to helping those who need a voice or a hand up. She has gone from the foster care system herself to the board room, and she wants to show others they can do the same thing.
Trina Dahlin
Board member since 1998
Trina is a retired attorney and served as the juvenile and child support enforcement deputy district attorney for Carson. A longtime resident, married with an adult daughter, she attended the University of Nevada, Reno, and Wayne State Law School in Detroit. She was Judge Michael Griffin’s law clerk and later began working with the Ron Wood Truancy Center. She believed the Ron Wood mission was a crucial necessity for local families.
Evie Dean
Board member since 2018
Evie is retired as well as a mother, grandmother and business owner. Born and raised in Las Vegas, she moved to Dayton in 2009 with her husband. Attempting to start a new business during the recession proved unsuccessful, she said, and the Ron Wood Family Resource Center helped alleviate what could have become a crisis — assisting them in a time of need.
Sheriff Kenneth T. Furlong
Board member since 2004
Prior to being elected sheriff in 2003, Ken served as a Carson City Fire Department dispatcher, enlisted in the US Air Force and went on to continue his work in law enforcement, public safety, investigations, parole and probation. He has introduced several new programs and reestablished a few from the past. He’s committed to enhancing law enforcement through educational opportunities, community involvement and youth/senior citizen contacts. Ken spends his free time with his family and enjoying the outdoors.
Stan Jones
Board member since 2018
Stan aims to represent the business community. He shared that his philosophy has always been: “I believe in giving back to my community.” He added he believes his experience and knowledge of Carson City can contribute to the future success of the Center’s board.
Rick Redican
Board member since 2000
Rick moved to Carson City in 1957 when he was in seventh grade and eventually became a teacher and administrator in the Carson City School District. After retiring, he went on to serve as principal at the Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic School. He has also coached various youth sports. He feels his experience helps him understand people in need, people who can range from infants to adults who are struggling just to get by.
Lisa Schuette
Board member since 2016
Lisa is the founder and chair of the Carson Animal Services Initiative (CASI) as well as a retired middle school health teacher who was named 2013 Carson City School District’s Teacher of the Year. Before teaching, she was a deputy and juvenile probation officer. In addition, she’s an outreach manager with Humane Network and serves as board president for Smile for a Lifetime, a nonprofit dedicated to helping deserving students get braces that they otherwise couldn’t afford.
Greg Wood
Board member since 2015
Semi-retired, Greg worked in the construction and building industry for 35 years including management, ownership and consulting. He moved from the bay area in 1976 and completed his education in Nevada. He likes to reflect on how lucky a person can be and that children are a constant reminder to stay the course — there will be bounty that will come from doing so. Greg is also the younger brother of Ron Wood.