Greg Fine, Chair
During the weekdays, Greg is a marketing and brand strategy professional. On the weekends (and when no one is looking) he can be found hunting powder stashes and mountain biking the singletrack around Reno and beyond. He says, "I love how selfless the Foundation is. Its sole purpose is to make a small but significant part of the world a better place for everyone."
Kevin Robison, Vice Chair
Kevin Robison is the CEO of Mt. Wheeler Power. Kevin is committed to preserving, protecting, and sharing Great Basin National Park with folks near and far.
Jeremy Reichenberg, Treasurer
Jeremy believes in public service and is the Chief Deputy District Attorney for Carson City, Nevada. He loves spending time outdoors with his wife and young kids, especially at Great Basin. He is passionate about preserving and protecting Nevada's wild spaces and sharing them with others, especially youth.
Alicia Reban, Secretary
Alicia Reban is the Executive Director of the Nevada Land Trust, which she helped to create in 1998. Alicia is passionate about protecting open spaces for future generations throughout Nevada. She enjoys finding common ground among stakeholders to advance shared goals. Alicia’s favorite color is either the cerulean blue of a clear Nevada sky or that amazing orange/purple that sometimes paints the clouds at sunset; her favorite smell is that of sagebrush after the rain.
Melodi Rodrigue, Chair, Great Basin Observatory Committee
Dr. Melodi Rodrigue did her doctoral research in the area of interacting galaxies, using tools such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Ultraviolet Explorer. Currently she teaches in the University of Nevada, Reno department of physics and is respected for her ability to make courses relevant for introductory-level students and non-science students — as well as her gift for working with a wide range of learners of all ages. Melodi Chairs the GBO operations committee as well as the GBO Education subcommittee, and is both passionate and dedicated to bringing the wonder and excitment of science and astronomy to youth of all ages.
Senator Richard Bryan
Senator Richard Bryan served as the Governor of Nevada from 1983 to 1989 and as a United States Senator from 1989 until 2001. Senator Bryan has long been an advocate for the state of Nevada, including its wild places. He sponsored the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) which became law in 1998 and has had a tremendous impact on funding preservation and education projects on Nevada’s public lands. Great Basin National Park has received over 25 million dollars in SNPLMA funding which over the years, improving facilities, campgrounds, Lehman Caves, and supporting resource management and science at the Park.
Briget Eastep
Briget Eastep is an outdoor educator at heart. Over the years she's been a backpacking guide at Philmont Scout Ranch, a crew leader for the Student Conservation Association, and a professor of Outdoor Recreation at Southern Utah University (SUU). When she's not exploring Great Basin and other outdoor adventures, she is Director at the Clark Family School of Environment and Sustainability at Western Colorado University. She believes that, “Great Basin National Park is a unique and wonderful place to explore - from caves to peaks its' a place where you can go to be in awe and wonder.”
Louise Hose
Dr. Louise Hose fell in love with the Great Basin National Park region on her first visit in 1971…long before the Park was established. Since retiring from the National Park Service in 2014, she has been exploring the region’s geology and re-writing our understanding of Lehman and other caves in the region. “I see retirement as a time to give back for the many blessings in my life and I am delighted at the opportunity to support the Park and Foundation in a meaningful way.”
Mari Nakashima Nielsen
Mari Nakashima Nielsen is a public affairs strategist, communication professional, and policy advocate. Mari has helped organize Nevada legislative days for Great Basin’s Superintendent and Foundation Chair, including meetings with the Lieutenant Governor, agency heads, and the Senate Natural Resources Committee. Mari was Governor Sandoval’s Communication’s Director and now works for The Perkins Company. “I have a deep appreciation for the region's natural beauty, cultural significance, and biodiversity. Growing up in Ely, the Park was my first introduction to conservation, environmental education, and preservation. I am excited to help engage both the local and statewide community to raise awareness and support for this natural treasure.”
Julia Ratti
Julia believes in making the world a better place. And she backs up that belief with action. Her experience in the nonprofit, government and for-profit sectors has provided her the opportunity to improve her community – professionally and through public service. Her past roles include State Senator, City Councilmember, small business owner, consultant, and nonprofit CEO. She currently serves as the Director of Programs and Projects for the Washoe County Health District. In her free time, she enjoys camping in a vintage Airstream with her husband James and their rescue dog Gus.
F. McClure Wallace
McClure Wallace is a Founding Member and Managing Partner at Wallace Millsap Trust & Estate Attorneys. McClure especially loves sharing Great Basin National Park with young families. "Our family trip to the Park each summer is my highlight of the year"
Steven Brown, Board Emeritus
Rebecca Mills, Board Emeritus
Rebecca Mills' dream came true when she became Superintendent of Great Basin National Park in 1995. She helped Bonnie Bryan launch the Great Basin National Park Foundation in 1998 and after retirement joined the Foundation Board. Earlier she oversaw youth employment and equal opportunity programs for the National Park Service Western Region. She grew up hiking and camping with family and Girl Scouts then worked as a community organizer, social worker, and non-profit director before joining the Park Service. She is a mother, grandmother, and partner of a lifelong Nevadan who is also passionate about the Great Basin. She says, “I love the Great Basin. In its wild country, we can sense with awe how briefly we exist on our planet home. Vast vistas and Bristlecone Pines expose the slow pace of natural history; wind and wildlife calls punctuate a profound silence; stars and galaxies light years away drench the dark night sky."
Robert Morrill, Board Emeritus
Robert Morrill has climbed nearly every peak over 11,000 feet in Nevada. He first climbed Wheeler in 1959, and went on to climb every other peak in the Park's backcountry. Bob has a law degree from Harvard Law School and a B. S degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno and was a co-founder and partner for 25 years at Skjerven Morrill MacPherson LLP. Bob's deep love for eastern Nevada inspired him to serve on the board of directors for 15 years, three as Chair and six as secretary. "I love the camaraderie and like-minded interests of this board and I'm very proud of our achievements, especially with our educational programs serving Utah and Nevada. One of my favorite things about the Park is the backcountry's isolation and beauty. When heading to the Park, when I smell it and see it, I feel like I'm coming home."
Mike Niggli, Board Emeritus
Mike Niggli was a Founding Board Member. He is an avid hiker, caver, stargazer and supporter of all things Great Basin. Mike remains committed to the Park and the Great Basin Observatory (GBO). He and his wife, Linda, contributed $200,000 to ensure purchase of the telescope for the GBO. They also established the first large, planned legacy gift with a multi-year commitment totaling $250,000. Mike continues to serve on our GBO Operations Committee and Linda on the GBO Education & Outreach Committee. They are both thrilled to see the large numbers of students who are being introduced to the magnificence of the universe via the GBO and education programs. They are particularly proud of the professors, college and high school students from the Great Basin area who are contributing scholarly, scientific peer reviewed papers from their celestial observations. As Mike has often been heard to say: “The magic of Great Basin is the combination of dedicated volunteers, terrific Park personnel and the GBO facilities the Foundation has made available to students and professors at no cost to advance science and STEAM programs. After all, Half the Park is After Dark!”
Dave Tilford, Board Emeritus
Dave is a Nevada native, born in Ely in 1941. He has strong ties to the area, including ancestors who built the Tilford cabin in the Park. Dave served on the Great Basin National Park Foundation Board of Directors for 20 years. One of his many achievements was conducting dozens of oral histories which are now archived at the University of Nevada, Reno. Dave has been integral in supporting the history of this region and promoting tourism. He was a founding board member of the Great Basin National Heritage Area and the Nevada Northern Railway Museum. Dave is a beloved member of White Pine county, where his dedication to the community and philanthropy has made a significant impact. He continues to work for the benefit of the Park and Great Basin National Park Foundation.